Understanding LC refining: The effect of plate pattern and refiner operation

As a result of investigations into the design and optimization of LC refining, performance equations are developed to more thoroughly examine the system. In this work we propose an experimentally grounded framework to define the effect of gap, rotational speed of refiner and plate pattern on LC refining performance. The framework is built on the hypothesis that (1) plate design is the key in understanding the changes in performance of LC refining of mechanical pulp, (2) the non-dimensional power-gap relationship determines the specific energy and plate gap and (3) the dimensionless power is related to dimensionless gap by two functions; one that describes refiner plate geometry, f(plate) and the other describes the feed furnish, f(furnish).