Rheology of pulp suspensions of bleached sugarcane bagasse: Effect of consistency and temperature

Rheological properties, such as yield stress and apparent viscosity, of pulp suspensions of bleached sugarcane bagasse were studied in a stress-shear rate controlled rheometer using concentric cylinders geometry. Results were statistically analyzed and presented as a function of the suspension consistency (0.5% <= C-m <= 4.0%) and temperature (20 degrees C, 40 degrees C, and 60 degrees C). The yield stress was influenced by the consistency and temperature. The apparent viscosity was influenced only by the consistency. A power law model was fitted to the experimental results of yield stress. In flow tests, all the suspensions showed shear-thinning behavior, which was in agreement with the Carreau-Yasuda model.