Refining characteristics of isometric straight bar plates with different bar angles

Bar angle is one of the most important parameters of an isometric straight bar refiner plate and its effects on the change in pulp and paper properties during refining is still unclear. This study investigated the effect of plate bar angle on refining quality and refining efficiency by clarifying the definition of bar angle. Five isometric straight bar plates with different bar angles were used in low consistency refining of bleached sulphate eucalyptus pulp (BSEP). Samples at different refining time intervals were collected, and the fibers, pulp, and paper properties were detected and analyzed. There was a great influence of bar angle on the fibers, pulp, and paper properties. Additionally, a critical static attack angle, or critical bar angle for plates with specific field angle, existed. The modification of fibers and pulp properties was strong when the plate reached a critical bar angle. Meanwhile, there was an optimal static attack angle for a plate with specific field angle, when considering paper properties such as tensile index and tear index. The refining time was shortest when the pulp was refined by the plate with critical bar angle, allowing the paper properties to reach a maximum value. It was shown that the static attack angle of refining should be selected in the range of 45º to 70º, which includes the optimal value and the bar angle was proposed in the range of 11.25º to 23.75º for the plate with common field angle of 22.5º.