Ecolab USA Inc.

Qinglong Rao

Weiguo Cheng

Yulin Zhao

Alan Smith

Aleksandar Todorovic

Stephen B Ashton

A process for flocculating filler particles in water is provided. The process comprises adding a flocculant to a mixture comprising filler particles and water, wherein the flocculant has a reduced specific viscosity ('RSV') of from about 5 dL/g to about 16 dL/g, a viscosity average molecular weight of from about 1,200,000 to about 7,500,000, and a cationic charge of from about 5 mol % to about 50 mol %. Flocs formed by flocculation of the filler particles and the flocculant have a median particle size of from about 10 &#x3bc;m to about 150 &#x3bc;m. The filler is not precipitated calcium carbonate alone. The flocs provided by the process are useful in increasing ash content of a paper product.

Papermaking process of increasing ash content of a paper product and a paper product obtained by the same

Method of papermaking comprises: treating filler with a starch and a flocculant to form a filler floc; combining the filler floc with the cellulose fiber stock; and forming a paper mat from the combination of filler floc and cellulose fiber stock. The method have been found to result in larger particle sizes for the filler flocs, improved shear stability, and improved sheet strength in the paper mat.

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Shanghai, China

Qinglong Rao