Grant: Strategic Projects - Group

This project is aimed at research in the target area defined as "Competitive Manufacturing". The specific research topic falls under the "Value-Added Wood Products and Processes" category with papermaking applications. Here, we propose to develop novel, energy efficient technologies and processes through application and understanding of methods to reduce the turbulent drag in suspension flows used in all areas of the papermaking process. Fibre suspensions are known to exhibit turbulent drag reduction under special conditions but current processing practice does not take advantage of this. We will investigate the synergistic effects of adding drag reducing polymers and wall contour modifications to fibre suspension flows. These experimental and theoretical investigations will lead to a new understanding that will be applied to the development of new energy saving pulp processing systems, including, screen rotors, refiner plates and hydrocyclones.