Hydrodynamic behavior of nonwood fiber suspensions

Experiments were conducted to generate data on pressure drops for three different nonwood pulps in the consistency range of 0-1.5% and for velocities up to 2.5 m/s. The nonwood sources were rice straw, bagasse, and wheat straw. The characteristics of pressure drop versus velocity are similar in trend to those reported for wood pulps. The expressions available for softwoods and hardwoods are not suitable for predicting the pressure drop of the nonwood fiber suspensions. An equation for predicting the pressure drop of the three nonwood pulp suspensions has been developed using econometric techniques. Application : a single equation that can predict the pressure drop will be helpful to plant designers in developing systems that will carry different kinds of nonwood fibers in water.