The influence of fibrous suspension flow regimes on the formation of tissue paper manufactured from different furnish compositions

Abstract The present work was based on analysis of the flow regime of fibre suspensions, that corresponds to furnishes and process conditions typically established for tissue paper manufacturing, i.e., under the common range of stock consistencies at the machine headbox and most usual furnish compositions. The flocculation potential of fibre suspensions used for toilet papers, facial tissues, paper towels and table napkins were evaluated on the principles of analytical concepts for fibre agglomeration propensity. The results show crowding numbers from 5.0 to 69.0, depending on the type of fibre or fibre blending ratios. The findings regarding agglomeration factors indicate that flow regimes are mainly in semi-concentrated and around gel state zones but reached the concentrated flow regime, in extreme conditions of fibre morphology and stock consistency. The influence of hardwood and softwood mixture ratios on the fibre suspension features is shown and discussed for common formulations of tissue base paper. The effect of fibre length and coarseness on the flocculation potential and the impacts of fibre suspension flow regimes on the structural properties of tissue paper, such as the formation uniformity are discussed, demonstrating the reasons for the preferred use of high hardwood content in furnish balance for tissue paper manufacturing.