HIGH CONSISTENCY PULP REFINING USING LOW CONSISTENCY PULP REFINING TECHNIQUES

摘要

A refiner apparatus and method for producing refined pulp by exerting mechanical forces on pulp fibres. The apparatus includes a member having a pulp side and a drainage side, the pulp side having a plurality of spaced apart raised bar portions thereon. A plurality of drainage conduits are formed in the member, the conduits extending between the pulp side and the drainage side of the member, each drainage conduit having inlet and outlet openings respectively. The inlet openings are disposed on the pulp side of the member and the outlet openings are disposed on the drainage side of the member such that water expelled from pulp fibres forced against the pulp side is received in the inlet openings and is conducted through the drainage conduits to the drainage side of the member. Generally, the method involves draining water from pulp fibres squeezed between facing refiner members, through at least one drainage conduit in at least one of the refiner members. Use of the method produces a low consistency pulp solution of refined pulp having properties comparable to high consistency refined pulp.