Refining Characteristics of Aspen, 1997 Papermakers Conference Proceedings

The purpose of pulp refining is to optimize fibre properties for paper machine runnability and product end use. Refining power requirements exemplify an opportunity for cost reduction in many paper mills. Although Aspen pulp has been marketed for over a decade, on the global scale the available quantity is still relatively small. Because of this, Aspen’s papermaking properties and refining requirements compared to other hardwoods are not yet fully understood. Alberta-Pacific has conducted a series of pilot plant refiner studies to:

- attain extensive information on the refining characteristics, energy requirements, and related papermaking properties of Aspen Kraft compared to other market Kraft hardwoods.
- delineate the optimum refiner conditions required to maximize the papermaking potential of Aspen Kraft.
- obtain information about co-refining versus separate refining of hardwood and softwood Kraft pulps.
- compare laboratory PFI refining with industrial disk relining results.