Effect of fiber flocculation and filling design on refiner loadability and refining characteristics

Abstract

The loadability of a pulp refiner was studied using refiner data such as gap movement, total power, no-load power, and net refining power. Two different types of pulp and three different types of refiner filling were used in the study. The floc formation and floc size of each pulp was studied in a flow channel simulating filling grooves. The loadability of the pulp refiner was linked to refining effects such as fiber shortening, and internal and external fibrillation. The trapping point of the refiner, and therefore refiner loadability, was found to be more related to fiber characteristics such as fiber length and coarseness, while being less dependent on refining consistency in the range of 2.0-5.5%. The data on the formation of flocs and floc size was used to explain the trapping of fibers between refiner bars and the refiner gap width. Filling design characteristics such as groove width and cutting speed affect the gap width and trapping of flocs inside the refiner. Fillings with high cutting speed tend to break flocs composed of long and short fibers at the same rate and therefore both types of floc maintain the same gap width. On the other hand, wide-groove fillings with lower cutting speed have a gentler effect and the differences in fiber characteristics are easily reflected in the gap width and trapping point. Fillings with low cutting speed have a greater straightening effect than fiber cutting, whereas narrow-bar fillings have a more noticeable effect on fiber cutting, external fibrillation, and fiber swelling.