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% ≤ Cm ≤ 4.0%) and temperature (20°C, 40°C, and 60°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.