The Deacidification of Paper
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English Slovak |
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Eschborn
Battelle Ingenieurtechnik GmbH
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| Online Access: | http://www.viks.sk/chk/zfb19_battelle4.doc |
| Abstract: | SUMMARIES. Practically all the books and documents of the past 140 years are at risk because the acid-containing papers gradually deteriorate. Up to 30 % of the collections of German libraries and archives is already damaged, and the decomposition process continues. The detrimental acids in "modern" papers stem from the resin-alum sizing process that was introduced when industrial paper production began. The acids cause hydrolytic decomposition of the cellulose fibres, so that the paper becomes brittle. The paper ages very rapidly, the ageing process being accelerated by unsuitable storage conditions such as heat, humidity and inadequate air conditioning. Many books may in fact be lost after only 50 to 100 years. Neither traditional paper restoration techniques nor today's advanced single-sheet deacidification methods can reasonably be used to rescue the many millions of books - not to speak of the expenditure this would involve. Endangered books may be reproduced on microfilms, but this means only preserving the information they contain and, with up to DM 150 per book, is very costly indeed. Therefore, and because the books are to be physically preserved, the experts put great hopes on the development of low-cost mass preservation methods. CONCLUSION. Quite a few mass deacidification methods have been developed in various countries to stop and prevent the deterioration of acid-containing papers in libraries and archives. These methods, which work either with gaseous or with liquid substances, serve to neutralise the acids in the papers. All of them are still in the experimental phase, various parameters remaining to be optimised. Due to the complex technical equipment and safety precautions needed, the gas-based DEZ method can only be implemented in a large-scale facility. The simpler methods that work with liquid substances can be used at reasonable cost even in lower capacity units. Taking the known MMC method as a basis, Battelle developed for the Deutsche Bibliothek an improved mass deacidification plant. The pilot plant combines in it environmental compatibility, ease of operation and short treatment times. The project, in which the Deutsche Bibliothek and Battelle cooperate, is to result in a mass deacidification method which works with liquid methyl magnesium carbonate (MMC) and which is readily useful for libraries and archives all over Germany. |
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