Flow of pulp fibre suspension and slurries: A review

This paper reviews recent experimental and modeling work on biomass multiphase flow of suspensions and slurries. Problems associated with fibre flows (e.g., fibre flocculation, velocity profiles, flow regimes) have received considerable attention for these processes, involving both liquid–solid and gas–liquid–solid systems. Advanced experimental techniques have been employed in efforts to understand the flows. However, each of these experimental techniques is somewhat limited in its application. In the modelling work, mechanistic models, including those based on CFD, are being developed, but turbulence and interactions among particles and between the particles and fluid have so far limited the success of such models. Future work is needed to improve biomass energy and materials conversion processes.