Partially halogenated hydantoins in papermaking applications

摘要

The inventors have discovered that partially halogenated hydantoins exhibit superior antimicrobial efficacy and decreased performance additive decomposition rates than fully halogenated hydantoins, such as dichlorodimethyl hydantoin (DCDMH). Partially halogenated hydantoins are solutions containing monochlorohydantoin and, optionally, dihalogenated hydantoin or non-halogenated hydantoin. The present invention is a method of reducing slime in a circulating water slurry comprising organic matter and one or more performance additives, such as optical brighteners, while minimizing decomposition of the performance additives. The method comprises adding one or more partially halogenated hydantoins, such as Cl_{1 1}-chlorodimethyl hydantoin, to the slurry. The concentration of partially halogenated hydantoin maintained in the slurry generally ranges from about 0.01 to about 50 ppm (expressed as Cl₂). This method is particularly useful for circulating water slurries in paper processing.