Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal 2021; 36(1): 33–41

Mechanical pulping

Jan-Erik Berg*, Börje Hellstadius, Mikael Lundfors and Per Engstrand

Low-consistency refining of CTMP targeting high

strength and bulk: effect of filling pattern and trial
scale
https://doi.org/10.1515/npprj-2020-0061
Received June 17, 2020; accepted September 21, 2020; previously
published online December 1, 2020
Abstract: Chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP) is often
used in central layers of multiply paperboards due to its
high bulk and strength. Such a CTMP should consist of
well-separated undamaged fibres with sufficient bonding
capacity. The basic objective of this work is to optimize pro-
cess conditions in low-consistency (LC) refining, i. e. to se-
lect or ultimately develop new optimal LC refiner filling
patterns, in order to produce fibrillar fines and improve
the separation of fibres from each other while preserving
the natural fibre morphology as much as possible. Further-
more, the aim is to evaluate if this type of work can be done
at laboratory-scale or if it is necessary to run trials in pilot-
or mill-scale in order to get relevant answers. First stage
CTMP made from Norway spruce (Picea abies) was LC re-
fined in mill-, pilot- and laboratory-scale trials and with
different filling patterns. The results show that an LR1 lab-
oratory refiner can favourably be used instead of larger re-
finers in order to characterize CTMP with regard to tensile
index and z-strength versus bulk. A fine filling pattern re-
sulted in CTMP with higher tensile index, z-strength and
energy efficiency at maintained bulk compared to a stan-
dard filling pattern.
Keywords: bulk; filling patterns; low consistency refining;
mechanical pulping; pulp strengths.
*Corresponding author: Jan-Erik Berg, Mid Sweden University,
FSCN, Department of Chemical Engineering, SE-851 70 Sundsvall,
Sweden, e-mail: jan-erik.berg@miun.se
Börje Hellstadius, BillerudKorsnäs, SE-801 81 Gävle, Sweden,
e-mail: borje.hellstadius@billerudkorsnas.com
Mikael Lundfors, Valmet, Refiner Segments, Vretenvägen 11,
SE-171 54 Solna, Sweden, e-mail: mikael.lundfors@valmet.com
Per Engstrand, Mid Sweden University, FSCN, Department of
Chemical Engineering, SE-851 70 Sundsvall, Sweden, e-mail:
per.engstrand@miun.se
Introduction
Chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP) is often used in
central layers, as a mixture together with broke and soft-
wood kraft pulp, of multiply paperboards due to its high
bulk and strength. The present study emanated from a
project where the key research challenge was to find ways
to produce paperboards with higher bulk and with as good
strength properties as the standard material. The aim of
the project was to find synergetic effects by joint stud-
ies in three different technology areas: chip refining, low
consistency (LC) refining and fibre surface chemistry. In
chip refining, the fibres should be well separated with
preserved stiffness. This is achieved if conditions affect-
ing wood chip softening are optimized and refiner fillings
giving a favourable processing are utilized (Persson et al.
2019). The present study is based on results from the LC re-
fining technology area and its objective is to produce fib-
rillar fines, improve fibre surface area and improve separa-
tion of fibres from one another while preserving the fibre
stiffness as much as possible. This would be achieved by
gentle mechanical treatment, i. e. low intensity refining of
the fibre surface. The strength of CTMP can then be fur-
ther improved by introducing cationic and anionic func-
tional groups together with an organic catalyst, enhancing
fibre-to-fibre adhesion (Alimohammadzadeh et al. 2019).
The impact of possible improvements in the three technol-
ogy areas is modelled in a fourth parallel synergetic project
both with regard to process modifications and with regard
to material properties as strength and bulk. These models
are then validated by means of mill scale trials.
In a previous study, Rusu et al. (2011) found that
internal fibrillation, i. e. kinks and micro-compressions,
was decisive for fibre stiffness, as assessed by FiberMas-
ter bendability measurements (Karlsson et al. 1999). Their
finding was supported by the fact that the pulp with the
lowest specific refining energy (SRE) also was found to be
the stiffest. Pettersson et al. (2015) pointed out that fibre
stiffness is important in achieving a bulky paper with suf-
ficiently high strength, and that fibre length is less impor-

Open Access. © 2021 Berg et al., published by De Gruyter. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
License.
34 | J.-E. Berg et al.: LC refining of CTMP targeting high strength and bulk
tant. They performed laboratory refining trials with CTMP,
of different freeness and fibre length, reinforced by kraft
pulp. Klinga et al. (2008) reported similar results from tri-
als with CTMP in pilot-scale refiners. Moreover, they found
that stiff fibres formed stronger bonds if they were pressed
together during drying in a Rapid Köthen sheet former
(100 kPa and 93 °C) compared to a standard sheet for-
mer (400 kPa and 23 °C). Elahimehr (2014) showed that
bulk correlates to SRE and freeness for different rotational
speeds and filling patterns. He did not find any differ-
ence in the relationship between tensile development and
change in bulk in pilot trials where three different rota-
tional speeds and a wide range of filling patterns were
used. This is to some extent contradictory to the find-
ings reported by Klinga et al. (2008). However, Elahimehr
(2014) used a standard sheet former. In the present work
testing of pulp strength and bulk is performed on Rapid
Köthen sheets, and that is assumed to shed light to these
contradictory results.
LC refining would make it possible to produce more
fibrillar fines also called secondary fines (Odabas et al.
2016) and thereby further increase the network strength
at maintained bulk (Ljungqvist et al. 2014, Moberg et al.
2014, Hafrén et al. 2014). Also Motamedian et al. (2019)
found that an increased number of fibrillar fines increases
the strength of paper. This was explained by the ability
of fibrillar fines to reinforce the bonds in the fibre net-
work.
The basic idea in this work is to optimize process con-
ditions in LC refining, i. e. to select or ultimately develop
new optimal LC refiner filling patterns, in order to produce
fibrillar fines, improve fibre surface area and to improve
the separation of fibres from each other while preserving
the inherent stiffness as much as possible. Furthermore,
the aim is to evaluate if this type of work can be done at
laboratory-scale or if it is necessary to run trials in pilot- or
mill-scale in order to obtain meaningful results. One bene-
fit of laboratory- and pilot-scale trials is that a wide variety
of pulps and filling patterns can be tested at relatively low
cost compared to mill-scale trials. Another benefit is not
to jeopardize production losses for the entire mill if a trial
should fail.
Materials and methods
First stage CTMP from BillerudKorsnäs’ Rockhammar mill
made from Norway spruce (Picea abies) was used in all
LC refining trials. Trials were performed at mill-, pilot- and
laboratory-scale.
LC refining trials
Pilot
In October 2016, first stage CTMP was taken from Billerud-
Korsnäs’ Rockhammar mill. The sampling point, (posi-
tion 1) is marked with an x symbol in Figure 1a. Sub-
sequently, two pilot trials were performed on that pulp
at Valmet Technology Centre, Sundsvall in a low con-
sistency JC00 conical pilot refiner (Valmet, Espoo, Fin-
land). Refining was performed with a filling pattern (type
JC00RAD2/JC00SAD2) referred to as “standard fillings”
and a filling with a fine pattern (type JC00RMM15Z/
JC00SMM15Z). In each trial, the pulp was pumped through
the refiner from one chest to another, as shown in Figure 1b
and the refining gap was adjusted in order to achieve a
certain refining energy and thereby a certain refining in-
tensity. Pulp samples were taken at six different refining
gaps.
Mill
In May 2017, a reference mill trial was performed at Rock-
hammar mill. The refining gap in a RF5 conical LC refiner
(Valmet, Espoo, Finland), was adjusted in order to achieve
three different power loads, P (1.5, 1.96 and 2.34 MW)
and thereby three different refining intensities. Normally,
the RF5 mill refiner operates close to 1.5 MW which cor-
responds to 1.0 J/m in specific edge load. The standard
fillings in the RF5 were of the type RF5RPLF2SDD2/
RF5SLFSDD2P. All samples for the mill trial were taken
within one hour in order to avoid variations with vary-
ing fibre treatment on rejects; directly after the LC refiner
(position 3 in Figure 1a) and for the zero power load di-
rectly before the LC refiner (position 2). The mass reject
ratio was about 10 %. As the refiner functions as a com-
bined second stage and reject refiner it would have been
more correct to evaluate the development of fibre and
pulp properties over the combined refining and screen-
ing stage, i. e. from position 1 to position 4 (Sandberg
et al. 2017). However, this is unworkable due to the long
time for the process to stabilise after a change in power
load.
Laboratory
In conjunction with the mill trial, first stage CTMP was
also taken from position 1 (Figure 1a) for two laboratory tri-
als in a laboratory refiner LR1 (Voith-Sulzer, Heidenheim,
Germany) at BillerudKorsnäs’ Karlsborg mill. The refining
with LR1 was performed with either a conical filling pat-
tern (type 3/0.5/30) or a flat filling pattern (type 3/0.84/30).
 J.-E. Berg et al.: LC refining of CTMP targeting high strength and bulk | 35
Figure 1: Refiner configurations. Sampling positions are marked
with x symbols. a) CTMP mill at BillerudKorsnäs’ Rockhammar mill.
Two HC single disc chip refiners in parallel supply pulp to the RF5 LC
refiner. b) JC00 pilot refiner at Valmet Technology Centre, Sundsvall.
The pulp is pumped through the refiner from one chest to another.
c) Laboratory refiner LR1 at BillerudKorsnäs’ Karlsborg mill. The
pulp is recirculated through the refiner and a pulp chest. The refiner
symbol indicates a conical refiner, but LR1 may also be configured
as a disc refiner.
In each trial, the laboratory refiner operated with a fixed
power load, P. The pulp was recirculated through the re-
finer, as shown in Figure 1c, and pulp samples were taken
at six different net specific refining energies (0, 40, 80, 120,
160 and 200 kWh/ton).
Net specific refining energy, SRE (J/kg) was calculated
by:
P − P0
SRE = (1)
QC
where P0 = no-load power (W); Q = mass flow (kg pulp
suspension/s); C = pulp consistency (kg fibre/kg pulp sus-
pension).
There is no common definition of refining intensity.
Berg et al. (2015) found that specific edge load (Brecht and
Siewert 1966), refining gap (Mohlin 2006) and force on fi-
bres (Kerekes and Senger 2006) were adequate measures
for refining intensity as they all predicted fibre shorten-
ing with approximately equal sufficiency. However, refin-
ing gap was not measured with sufficiently high precision
in this study and therefore force on fibres could not be cal-
culated properly.
The specific edge load, SEL (J/m) was calculated by:
P − P0
SEL = (2)
ω CEL
where ω = rotational speed (rev/s); CEL = cutting edge
length (m/rev); and cutting speed, Ls (m/s) was defined
as:
Ls = ω CEL (3)
Lumiainen (1995) showed that width of bars should
also be taken into consideration and introduced the spe-
cific surface load, SSL (J/m2 ), which is obtained by divid-
ing specific edge load, SEL by impact length, IL (m):
SEL
SSL = (4)
IL
Wr + Wst
IL = (5)
2 cos α
where Wr = width of rotor bar (m); Wst = width of stator
bar (m); α = bar angle (intersecting angle of opposite bars
is 2α)
The refining conditions for all trials are summarised in
Table 1.
Analyses
After hot disintegration (ISO 5263-3), tensile index (ISO
1924-2), z-strength (ISO 15754) and bulk (ISO 5270) were
measured on handsheets (grammage 140 g/m2 ) made with
a Rapid Köthen sheet former (Rycobel, Deerlijk, Belgium,
ISO 5269-2).
In order to get an indication of fibrillar fines content,
a method that uses light sources in the UV (peak sen-
sitivity wave-length around 0.25 µm) and IR wavelength
spectrum, the crill method was used. The crill value ac-
counts for fines of about 0.25 µm in diameter (Lundberg
et al. 2018) while a typical diameter of fibrillar fines is
0.5 µm (Odabas et al. 2016).
Fibre properties of first stage CTMP that were used in
LC refiner trials are shown in Table 2.
Results and discussion
Different filling patterns were compared in a pilot-scale
conical JC00 refiner and a laboratory-scale LR1 refiner with
regard to tensile index, z-strength and energy efficiency.
A reference trial was also performed in a conical LC refiner
RF5 at BillerudKorsnäs’ Rockhammar mill.
36 | J.-E. Berg et al.: LC refining of CTMP targeting high strength and bulk

Table 1: LC refining conditions.

Refiner JC00 JC00 LR1 LR1 RF5

Scale Pilot Pilot Lab. Lab. Mill
Filling Standard Fine Conical Flat Standard

Width of bar W , mm 4.0 1.3–1.4 3 3 2.0–4.0

Bar angle α, ° 18 33–15 30 30 18
Cutting edge length CEL, km/rev 1.8 10.1 0.020a 0.0336a 120
Specific edge load SEL, J/m 0.68–2.0 0.075–0.29 1.0 1.0 1.0–2.0
Impact length IL, mm 4.21 1.53–1.47 3.46 3.46 3.15
Specific surface load SSL, J/m2 160–480 50–190 290 290 330–620
Rotation speed ω, rpm 1200 1200 2000 2000 470
Temperature, °C 56 60 36–49 36–49 60
Pulp consistency C, % 4.3 4.1 4.0 4.0 3.9
Flow through the refiner, l/min 200 200 100 100 7000
Idle load, kWh/ton 20 30 – – 34b
Net refining energy SRE, kWh/t 48–142 29–118 40–200 40–200 66–120b
a
LR1 fillings are labelled with cutting speed, Ls (km/s) at 3000 rpm per refiner filling, see Eq. (3) for calculation of CEL.
b
Net refining energy and idle load is based on flow through the refiner minus recirculated flow, 550 l/min, i. e. Q = 6450 l/min. in Eq. (1).

Table 2: Fibre properties on first stage CTMP taken after latency

chest. Measured with a PulpEye pulp analyser (PulpEye, Örn-
sköldsvik, Sweden). Fibre length is expressed as a length-weighted
average, LWA.
1st stage CTMP October 2016 May 2017
Pilot trials Lab. and mill trials
Freeness, ml 736
Fibre length (LWA), mm 1.82
Shives sum, no./g 547
Crill value (unwashed) 200
Pilot trials with two different filling patterns
Figure 2a shows that tensile index was 32.6 Nm/g for fill-
ings with a fine pattern and 30.2 Nm/g for the standard
fillings, both evaluated at bulk 2.3 cm3 /g. Figure 2b shows
that the corresponding z-strength was 255 kPa for fillings
with a fine pattern and 238 kPa for the standard fillings.
The tensile index and z-strength before pilot refining in
JC00 were 23.2 Nm/g and 179 kPa respectively. Mean val-
ues of standard deviations for tensile index, z-strength and
bulk in this study were 1.3 Nm/g, 9 kPa and 0.06 cm3 /g re-
spectively and are indicated by solid lines placed at regres-
sion lines at bulk 2.3 cm3 /g.
As indicated in Figure 3, net SRE was 92 and
91 kWh/ton at bulk 2.3 cm3 /g for fine-patterned and stan-
dard fillings respectively, the corresponding specific edge
loads were 0.22 and 1.3 J/m. Energy efficiency for a re-
finer is defined as the increase in a pulp property over
the refiner divided by applied SRE (Sandberg et al. 2017).
In the following, we use net SRE in order to calcu-
late energy efficiency with regard to tensile index and
z-strength. The energy efficiency for tensile index was
(32.6 − 23.2)/0.092 = 102 (Nm/g)/(MWh/ton) and (30.2 −
23.2)/0.091 = 77 (Nm/g)/(MWh/ton) for fillings with a
fine pattern and standard fillings respectively. The cor-
676 responding energy efficiencies for z-strength were (255 −
1.60 179)/0.092 = 826 kPa/(MWh/ton) and (238 − 179)/0.091 =
403
648 kPa/(MWh/ton).
278
Additional pulp measurements are shown in Figure 4.
The crill value (unwashed) was 206 for fillings with a fine
pattern and 198 for the standard fillings as shown in Fig-
ure 4d. There was no evident difference on different filling
pattern (at bulk 2.3 cm3 /kg) regarding freeness (600 ml), fi-
bre length (1.80 mm) or shives content (0.29 %), shown in
Figure 4a–c.
In summary, the pilot trials showed that gentle LC
refining in JC00 with a fine filling pattern result in a
pulp with higher tensile index (+2.6 Nm/g) and z-strength
(+17 kPa) at bulk 2.3 cm3 /kg, compared to harsher refining
with standard fillings. The increase in strengths can be ex-
plained by a higher amount of fibrillar fibres which is in-
dicated by the higher crill value (+8). Another explanation
can be that a gentle treatment of fibres preserves more of
their inherent stiffness. Both these explanations are sup-
ported by Hyll et al. (2016) who found increased tensile in-
dex and bulk by laboratory refining, though of bleached
kraft softwood pulp. They found that the generated fines
were more fibrillar and that less fibre shortening and kinks
were introduced with a finer filling pattern compared to
standard ones.
 J.-E. Berg et al.: LC refining of CTMP targeting high strength and bulk | 37

Figure 2: Tensile index, z-strength and bulk measured on Rapid Köthen sheets. Fillings with different cutting edge length, CEL. Solid lines
(placed at regression lines at bulk 2.3 cm3 /g) indicate mean values of standard deviations for data points.

Figure 3: Tensile index and z-strength measured on Rapid Köthen sheets versus net specific refining energy. Fillings with different cutting
edge length, CEL. Solid lines placed at regression lines, at a strength that corresponds to bulk 2.3 cm3 /g, indicate mean values of standard
deviations for data points. Net SRE was 92 and 91 kWh/ton at bulk 2.3 cm3 /g for fine-patterned and standard fillings respectively, the corre-
sponding specific edge loads were 0.22 and 1.3 J/m.

The refining was also performed with higher energy ef-
ficiency (+30 %), with regard to both tensile index and z-
strength.
Laboratory trials with two different filling
types
Figure 5a shows that tensile index was about 36 Nm/g
at bulk 2.1 cm3 /g for both filling types in LR1 (actually
36.2 Nm/g for flat and 35.8 Nm/g for conical fillings). The
tensile index at zero power load were 32.8 and 32.0 Nm/g
for flat and conical filling types respectively. Figure 5b
shows that z-strength was 345 kPa at bulk 2.1 cm3 /g for
the flat type of fillings and 312 kPa for the conical ones.
The z-strength at zero power load were 275 and 262 kPa for
flat and conical filling types respectively. Additional pulp
properties as those shown in Figure 4 are unfortunately
only available for the pilot trials.
Net SRE was 90 and 74 kWh/ton at bulk 2.1 cm3 /g
for flat and conical filling types respectively as indicated
in Figure 6b. The energy efficiency can be calculated as
38 (Nm/g)/(MWh/ton) or 780 kPa/MWh/ton for flat fillings
and 51 (Nm/g)/(MWh/ton) or 680 kPa/MWh/ton for coni-
cal fillings.
In summary, the laboratory trials showed that LC re-
fining in LR1 with flat fillings resulted in higher z-strength
(+33 kPa) at bulk 2.1 cm3 /g compared to conical fillings.
The tensile index was about the same (Figure 6a). Refining
with a flat filling resulted in opposite differences in energy
efficiency, with regard to tensile index (−25 %) and with re-
gard to z-strength (+15 %). These finding are somewhat in
contrast to those by Lumiainen (1997a, 1997b) who indi-
cated that refiners with conical fillings have lower energy
38 | J.-E. Berg et al.: LC refining of CTMP targeting high strength and bulk

Figure 4: Freeness (ISO 5267-2). Average length-weighted fibre length and shives content (PQM, Valmet, Espoo, Finland) and crill value (un-
washed) (PulpEye, Örnsköldsvik, Sweden) versus bulk. Fillings with different cutting edge length, CEL.

Figure 5: Tensile index, z-strength and bulk measured on Rapid Köthen sheets. Conical and flat fillings. Solid lines (placed at regression
lines at bulk 2.1 cm3 /g) indicate mean values of standard deviations for data points.

Figure 6: Tensile index and z-strength measured on Rapid Köthen sheets versus net specific refining energy. Conical and flat fillings. Dash-
dot lines indicate net SRE at z-strength that corresponds to bulk 2.1 cm3 /g.
 J.-E. Berg et al.: LC refining of CTMP targeting high strength and bulk | 39

Figure 7: Tensile index, z-strength and bulk measured on Rapid Köthen sheets. RF5 Standard fillings, CEL 120 km/rev.

Figure 8: Tensile index and z-strength measured on Rapid Köthen sheets versus net specific refining energy. RF5 Standard fillings, CEL
120 km/rev. Dash-dot lines indicate net SRE at z-strength that corresponds to bulk 2.1 cm3 /g.

consumption and produce better fibre development than
flat disc refiners due to geometric differences. However, Lu-
miainen performed the trials in larger-scale refiners.
Mill trial
Figure 7a–b shows that tensile index was 35.5 Nm/g and
z-strength was 318 kPa, both evaluated at bulk 2.1 cm3 /g.
Tensile index and z-strength versus net SRE are shown in
Figure 8a–b. Net SRE was 109 kWh/ton at bulk 2.1 cm3 /g
as indicated in Figure 7b, the corresponding specific edge
load was 1.8 J/m. The tensile index and z-strength before
refining were 30.5 Nm/g and 266 kPa respectively. The en-
ergy efficiency can be calculated as 46 (Nm/g)/(MWh/ton)
or 480 kPa/MWh/ton.
Summary of all trials
Refining curves from laboratory-, pilot- and mill-scale re-
fining follow a common trend as seen in Figure 9a–b. It is
therefore plausible that refining effects due to differences
in filling pattern in a laboratory or pilot refiner also could
be detected in larger refiners. Refining in a JC00 pilot re-
finer with fine-patterned fillings (bar width 1.3–1.4 mm) re-
sults in higher tensile index and z-strength at specified
bulk compared to standard fillings (bar width 4 mm). A dif-
ference is also seen in an LR1 laboratory refiner where flat
fillings gives higher z-strength compared to conical fill-
ings, both with 3 mm bar width. Pulp properties and refin-
ing characteristics evaluated at specified bulk values are
put together in Table 3.
Conclusions
First stage chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP) made
from Norway spruce were used in low consistency refining
trials performed at mill-, pilot- and laboratory-scale. Dif-
ferent filling patterns were compared with regard to tensile
index, z-strength and energy efficiency.
– A fine-patterned filling in a pilot-scale conical refiner
gave higher tensile index and z-strength at maintained
bulk than did a standard filling.
40 | J.-E. Berg et al.: LC refining of CTMP targeting high strength and bulk

Figure 9: Tensile index, z-strength and bulk measured on Rapid Köthen sheets. Fillings with different cutting edge length, CEL.

Table 3: Pulp properties and refining characteristics evaluated at specified bulk values.

Refiner JC00 JC00 LR1 LR1 RF5

Scale Pilot Pilot Lab. Lab. Mill
Filling Standard Fine Conical Flat Standard

Tensile index, Nm/g 30.2 32.8 36 36 35.5

Z-strength, kPa 238 255 312 345 318
Energy efficiency, (Nm/g)/(MWh/t) 76 102 51 38 46
Energy efficiency, kPa/(MWh/t) 650 830 680 780 480
Net refining energy, kWh/t 84 90 74 90 109
Specific edge load, J/m 1.3 0.22 1.0 1.0 1.8
Specific surface load, J/m2 310 150 290 290 560
Bulk, cm3 /g 2.3 2.3 2.1 2.1 2.1

– Refining with a fine-patterned filling also resulted in References

higher energy efficiency with regard to both tensile in-
dex and z-strength.
– Differences in these strengths caused by fillings in pi-
lot and laboratory refiners reflect those found in a mill
refiner.
– An LR1 laboratory refiner can be employed to char-
acterize mill-scale refining for tensile index and z-
strength at a common bulk.
Acknowledgments: The authors are grateful to the Knowl-
edge Foundation, BillerudKorsnäs AB, PulpEye AB and
Valmet AB for the financial support. This work was per-
formed within the research project “Eco-friendly efficient
chemimechanical system for sustainable packaging mate-
rials - e2cmp” at FSCN, Mid Sweden University.
Funding: This study was funded by the Knowledge Foun-
dation, number 20150373.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflicts of in-
terest.
Alimohammadzadeh, R., Osong, S.H., Rafi, A.A., Dahlström,
C., Cordova, A. (2019) Sustainable surface engineering of
lignocellulose and cellulose by synergistic combination of
metal-free catalysis and polyelectrolyte complexes. Glob. Chall.
3(7):1900018.
Berg, J.E., Engberg, B.A., Engstrand, P., Sandberg, C. (2015)
Low-consistency refining of mechanical pulp in the light of
forces on fibres. Nord. Pulp Pap. Res. J. 30(2):225–229.
Brecht, W., Siewert, W.H. (1966) For the theoretical assessment
of the refining process of modern refining machines. Papier
20(1):4–14.
Elahimehr, A. (2014) Low consistency refining of mechanical
pulp: the relationship between plate pattern, operational
variables and pulp properties. Ph. D. thesis, University of
British Columbia, Canada, Vancouver, BC.
Hafrén, J., Fernando, D., Gorski, D., Daniel, G., Salomons, F.A. (2014)
Fiber- and fine fractions-derived effects on pulp quality as
a result of mechanical pulp refining consistency. Wood Sci.
Technol.. 48(4):737–753.
Hyll, K., Björk, E., Vomhoff, H. (2016) Flow imaging characterisation
of morphological changes of chemical pulp due to refining.
Nord. Pulp Pap. Res. J. 31(3):411–421.
Karlsson, H., Fransson, P.I., Mohlin, U.B. (1999) STFI FibreMaster.
 J.-E. Berg et al.: LC refining of CTMP targeting high strength and bulk | 41
In: 6th Int. Conf. on New Available Techn. SPCI, Stockholm,
Sweden. pp. 367–374.
Kerekes, R.J., Senger, J.J. (2006) Characterizing refining action in
low-consistency refiners by forces on fibres. J. Pulp Pap. Sci.
32(1):1–8.
Klinga, N., Höglund, H., Sandberg, C. (2008) Energy efficient high
quality CTMP for paperboard. J. Pulp Pap. Sci. 34(2):98–106.
Ljungqvist, C.H., Peng, F., Goldszer, K., Moberg, A. (2014) The
impact of CTMP and PGW fibres and fines on board properties.
In: Proceedings, Int. Mech. Pulping Conf., Helsinki, Finland.
Lumiainen, J.J. (1995) Specific surface load theory. In: Proceedings,
3rd Int. Refin. Conf., Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Lumiainen, J.J. (1997a) Comparison of the mode of operations
between conical and disc refiners. Pap. Technol. 38(1):53–58.
Lumiainen, J.J. (1997b) Post-refining of mechanical pulps. In:
Proceedings, 4th Int. Refin. Conf. PIRA, Leatherhead, UK.
Lundberg, M., Norgren, M., Edlund, H. (2018) Validation of crill
measurements in a high-yield pulp refining process for
improved fines material control. Nord. Pulp Pap. Res. J.
33(2):200–209.
Moberg, A., Goldszer, K., Ljungqvist, C.H., Peng, F., Hafrén,
J., Fernando, D., Daniel, G. (2014) Mechanical pulping
process impact on fines properties and significance for
strength-density relationships of board centre layers. In:
Proceedings, Int. Mech. Pulping Conf., Helsinki, Finland.
Mohlin, U.B. (2006) Refining intensity and gap clearance. In:
Proceedings, 9th International Refining Conference. Pira,
Leatherhead, UK.
Motamedian, H.R., Halilovic, A.E., Kulachenko, A. (2019)
Mechanisms of strength and stiffness improvement of paper
after PFI refining with a focus on the effect of fines. Cellulose
26(6):4099–4124.
Odabas, N., Henniges, U., Potthast, A., Rosenau, T. (2016) Cellulosic
fines: properties and effects. Prog. Mater. Sci. 83:574–594.
Persson, E., Norgren, S., Engstrand, P., Granfeldt, T., Johansson, M.,
Edlund, H. (2019) Spruce HT-CTMP revisited – a high yield,
energy efficient pulp for future products. In: Proceedings,
Fundamental Mech. Pulping Res. Seminar, Norrköping,
Sweden.
Pettersson, G., Höglund, H., Norgren, S., Sjöberg, J., Peng, F.,
Hallgren, H., Moberg, A., Ljungqvist, C.H., Bergström, J.,
Solberg, D. (2015) Strong and bulky paperboard sheets from
surface modified CTMP, manufactured at low energy. Nord. Pulp
Pap. Res. J. 30(2):319–325.
Rusu, M., Mörseburg, K., Gregersen, Ø., Yamakawa, A., Liukkonen,
S. (2011) Relation between fibre flexibility and cross-sectional
properties. BioResources 6:641–655.
Sandberg, C., Berg, J.-E., Engstrand, P. (2017) Low consistency
refining of mechanical pulp – system design. Tappi J.
16(7):419–429.