Vital Points You Must Know About Pulp Refining in Papermaking

Pulp refining is fundamental and among the most significant operations in the preparation of fibers and the papermaking process. It is in fact the only operation that changes the fiber morphology and delivers the required physical, optical, and printing properties to the paper. This is the reason the paper quality largely depends on the process of refining, in addition to the raw materials used. Where several refiners have entered the market, manufacturers still choose the high-quality disc refiner by UEC to achieve effective refining.

The changes in the structural morphology of fibers take place as a result of the transmission of mechanical energy from the disc refiner. This mechanical treatment of the pulp fibers injects the necessary characteristics into the paper fiber. This affects the way fibers are bound together during the paper web formation and hence the ultimate chemical, optical, and structural properties of the paper.   

In the following article, we have explained some vital points about pulp refining that one must know.

• What are the forces created during pulp refining?

The refining process, especially low consistency refining, creates 3 forces - normal force, edge force, and shear force.

• What are the outcomes/effects of pulp refining?

The following effects are witnessed as a result of pulp refining:

• First, the fiber walls, both primary and secondary, break down and are partially removed. 
• This causes swelling towards the inside of the fiber, as water penetrates inside.
• Internal fibrils release is another effect of refining. These fibrils separate and form microfibrils on the fiber surface.
• Fiber gets softer and more flexible.
• The surface and volume of the fiber increase.

• What are the advantages of using a disc refiner?
  • The disc refiner helps finely and efficiently refine the fibers, saving both time and effort and bettering the pulping process.
  • It is a highly valuable instrument for the R&D department in the paper and pulp industry, as it helps them perform better strength development studies on the pulp.
  • The refiner is easy to manufacture and requires less maintenance or service.
  • It is suitable for small-scale companies, that have a limited budget to invest.
  • When purchased from a reliable manufacturer like UEC, the refiner comes with a warranty and high-performance assurance. 

• What is the best refiner in the market today?

The best refiner in the market today is the Lab disc refiner (DDR-12”) from UEC. It is a double disc refiner that gives performance equivalent to the industries. Besides, UEC also houses a Triple disc refiner, also known as a cow dung refiner, a significant instrument used in the cow dung paint-making process. 

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