Method for deflocculating and chemically loading fibers in a fiber suspension with calcium carbonate

A continuous method of loading fibers in a fiber suspension with a calcium carbonate, comprising the steps of:

• introducing a fiber suspension having one of calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide therein into an interior chamber of a deflocculating vessel;
• deflocculating the fiber suspension within said interior chamber by imparting high shear forces to and thereby deflocculating the fiber suspension;
• transporting the deflocculated fiber suspension from an outlet of said deflocculating vessel to an interior compartment of a mixing container, said outlet of said deflocculating vessel being fluidly connected in series with said mixing container;
• mixing the fiber suspension within said interior compartment using lower shear forces for a predetermined amount of time;
• discharging the mixed fiber suspension from an outlet of said mixing container;
• and
• injecting a gas consisting essentially of one of carbon dioxide and a mixture of carbon dioxide and ozone into at least one of said deflocculating vessel and said mixing container, whereby each of said deflocculating vessel and said mixing container are pressurized to a predetermined pressure.