Deacidification using the Bookkeeper process
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English Slovak |
| Online Access: | http://www.viks.sk/chk/tno.doc |
| Abstract: | SUMMARY. Research in the United States, Germany, England and Sweden into the amount of damage done to books has shown that approx. 20% -30% of books have to be regarded as a cultural heritage under threat. In the Netherlands, this figure is approx. 20%. The paper particularly at risk stems from the period 1840 -1950. The main threat is acidification, one of the most common forms of paper ageing. The acidity present causes a deterioration reaction, i.e. the hydrolysis of cellulose, which is catalysed by acidity. There is an obvious way to halt this deterioration reaction: deacidification. An excess of the protective agent is added, to give additional protection against external acidic attacks. This leads to the formation of an alkaline reserve, also known as an alkaline buffer, which usually results in the paper being protected against acidification for many decades. One of the most positive processes for deacidifying paper is the American Bookkeeper process. Archimascon BV carries out the Bookkeeper process in the Netherlands. Paper is deacidified by impregnating it with magnesium oxide (MgO) in an inert organic carrier fluid. The biggest advantages of the Bookkeeper process are: ˙ the safety of the objects to be deacidified, ˙ the books can be used/referred to just as often as before, ˙ environmental aspects, and ˙ MgO is directly reactive - it starts working as soon as it is applied to the object. Based on the information given, it can be stated that the Bookkeeper process will play a leading role in the mass deacidification of paper and in the battle against the acidification of that European cultural heritage which is in paper form. CONCLUSION. Researchers throughout and outside Europe continue to search for the best deacidification process. Researchers in France are testing deacidification processes, which use supercritical fluids (SEPAREX), and work is being done in Germany on deacidification by solid matter. These methods were mentioned in the recently published report by Dr. H. Porck, who has drawn up a list of all available deacidification methods, at the request of the European Commission of Preservation and Access. An important point as regards all these new processes is that they are all still in an experimental stage. This is why mass deacidification is not to be expected in practice with these methods in the short term. It is not yet known to what extent the lifespan of paper containing acidity can be extended. |
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