Evaluation of fines separation from unbleached softwood kraft pulp using microperforated hole screens

The application of a bench scale and an industrial scale pressure screen to separate cellulosic fines from an unbleached softwood kraft pulp containing 5 % (w/w) primary fines was investigated and the results were compared. In the bench scale trials different microperforated screens with hole diameters of 150 mu m, 250 mu m, 400 mu m and 600 mu m were used. Based on these results a screen hole diameter of 400 mu m was selected for the industrial scale trials. In all cases, a high accept flow rate proved to be the crucial parameter for high removal efficiency of the fines material and a removal efficiency of well above 50 % could be achieved. Further of interest were the limiting factors regarding increased accept flow rates with a focus on the interrelations between pressure difference, slot velocity and reject consistency. As expected, investigation of electric energy demand showed a correlation between removal efficiency and specific energy consumption, which did not exceed 35 kWh/t(od) feed.