Low consistency refining is primary means of improving the paper quality by imparting energy to fibres through repeated fibre–bar interactions. Useful part of the energy modifies the morphology of fibres and the remaining, no‐load power, overcomes the hydraulic, pumping and mechanical losses in the refiner. In this study, effect of consistency, operational and plate design parameters on no‐load power was experimentally determined on two pilot scale refiners with different diameters. Obtained data were used to provide a statistical model for prediction of no‐load power. To study the effect of diameter and groove depth, no‐load power of some mills were collected.
In this work, we numerically examine the two dimensional flow of a Newtonian fluid in the gap formed between two opposing cavities. The fluid is driven by the motion of the upper cavity and the case considered represents a simplified version of the geometry found in Low Consistency (LC) refiners. Numerical studies were conducted in which we characterized the effect of gap size on the flow field. Then, we examine material transport between the cavities by introducing a passive scalar to represent the motion of tracer particles. A large number of unsteady simulations were conducted over the range of velocities and gap sizes. Over the range of parameters studied, we identify two characteristic flow fields, defined as either steady or unsteady.
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