Air bubble holdup in quiescent wood pulp suspensions

AbstractAir bubbles were injected into the bottom of a column filled with an aqueous suspension of wood pulp fibers to permit measurement of the probability that the bubbles escape the fiber network to reach the surface. Escape probabilities were measured as functions of bubble volume, pulp consistency (weight fraction of fibers), and pulp type. For a given consistency, larger bubbles rose through the column whereas smaller bubbles were held up in the fiber network. The higher the consistency, the greater the bubble diameter required for escape. The minimum buoyancy forces required for bubble escape were correlated with estimates of the yield stress of the fiber network.

Air bubble holdup in quiescent wood pulp suspensions Journal Articles