POWER REQUIREMENTS FOR PULP SUSPENSION FLUIDIZATION

The power required to create a turbulent or fluidized state within a s emi-bleached kraft (SBK) softwood pulp was determined in a concentric- cylinder high-shear device. The apparent viscosities of the fluidized suspensions were estimated using turbulence theory and appropriate mix er characterization techniques. For example, estimates of the apparent viscosity of a fluidized 10% consistency SBK suspension ranged from 0 .9 to 3.9 Pa . s - one to four thousand times that of water. Using the se estimated viscosities, the discrepancies between past estimates of the power needed to create a fluidized state and experimental values w ere reconciled.