Available Services
The University of Maine Pulp & Paper
Process Development Center is available to you for process and product
development work.
We can work with your company on any research project - large or small.
We also provide technical services to evaluate physical and optical
properties as well as surface performance tests for fine papers.
For information on pricing, please refer to the bottom of this web page
or contact Pros Bennett at
pbennett@maine.edu.
Pulping
Pulping studies can be performed to evaluate wood and non-woody raw
materials, chemical additives, and on any stage of chemical and/or
mechanical pulp production.
Papermaking
The pilot paper machine is available for raw material and process
operation studies as well as to evaluate equipment components. Steady
state is reached in under 30 minutes allowing multiple trials in a
single day.
Coating
Pilot scale coating trials are available with Cylindrical Laboratory
Coater (CLC 6000), which has the ability to coat samples at 6000 feet
per minute.
The Paper Surface Science Analysis
Laboratory is also available for characterization of paper surfaces and
paper coatings.
Stock Preparation
The University of Maine facility has two double disk refiners and a new
conical refiner for use in research studies. They allow for a range of
refining prior to papermaking as well as for a comparison of the
benefits provided by each type of machine.
Testing
Our controlled environment room provides more than 25 tests to
characterize the properties of pulp and fibrous raw materials.
Additional test devices and wet laboratory facilities are available to
serve client needs ranging from the mundane to the state of the art.
Pricing
For more information on all the pilot plant equipment and services plus
pricing, please email Pros Bennett at
pbennett@maine.edu.
Charges for equipment use and staffing
will be invoiced by the University to the client upon completion of the
work. Staff time required for equipment set-up, alterations or additions
to equipment, clean-up and testing is charged to the client at the $70
per hour rate. Use charges depend on the type of equipment and lab space
required.
One full day of equipment use and
staffing refers to an eight-hour day: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST Monday
through Friday, except holidays. Time required after 4:30 p.m. EST will
carry a $105 per hour charge per staff member.
All materials and supplies ordered
and/or purchased by the University for the client will be charged to the
client at the delivered cost to the University plus the current
University overhead rate.
Cancellation Fee - Unless the
cancellation of the scheduled pilot plant run is made at least three (3)
weeks in advance, a fee of $1500/day will be charged.
