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5697709 
Journal Article 
Using ultrasound to deink xerographic waste 
Scott, WE; Gerber, P 
1995 
1 
TAPPI Journal
ISSN: 0734-1415 
TAPPI Press 
78 
12 
125-130 
English 
WOS:A1995TJ00100022 
Mixed office waste containing xerographic ink is becoming an important source of recycled fiber. This research examined the use of ultrasound to break down xerographic ink particles prior to removal by conventional flotation. The raw material was standard xerographic sheets printed with common toners (styrene-butadiene and styrene-acrylate). Preliminary tests were carried out with a 500-W piezoelectric transducer capable of batch processing. Results from these tests provided a base for subsequent tests with an ultrasonic whistle suitable for continuous, flow-through operation. Both systems reduced xerographic particles to sizes suitable for removal by flotation. Performance of the continuous system was strongly affected by treatment pH, the number of treatment cycles, and pulp consistency. Response-surface methodology was employed to determine the best operating conditions for the ultrasonic whistle. Results for the continuous, flow-through ultrasound system suggest that scale-up experiments should be pursued. 
article; butadiene-styrene copolymer; xerographic ink; xerocopy paper; mixed office waste paper; waste paper; recycling; styrene; polyacrylic acid; ultrasonic treatment; ultrasonics; processing technology