Abstract: Apparatus for treating material mixtures such as fiber mixtures is disclosed, including conically shaped corresponding inner and outer members defining a gap between their treating surfaces and being relatively rotatable with respect to each other, with at least one of the inner and outer treating surfaces including longitudinally extending grooves, and cleaning wings for cleaning the grooves protecting into the grooves and being movable along the grooves in order to do so.

Abstract: The present invention provides a regulator for a refiner or grinding apparatus having opposed relatively rotatable grinding discs. Each grinding disc carries a grinding segment, and a predetermined gap or grinding space is defined between the grinding segments. The regulator, which is provided to compensate for axial variations in the predetermined grinding space due to variations of the load, includes a piston axially movable in a cylinder and a calibrated resilient element acting on the piston. The regulator is coupled to a hydraulic servo motor for the grinding discs, and the dimensions of the piston and cylinder of the regulator are selected to correspond to that of the servo motor, but in reduced scale. By calibrating the resilient element of the regulator to correspond to the axial load applied to the grinding discs, the displacement of the regulator piston corresponds to the relative displacement of the grinding disc and thus to a variation in the grinding space between the grinding discs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for conjoint or simultaneous adjustment of the gap spaces of the inner and outer grinding zones of a pulp refiner apparatus in a single step. The inner grinding zone is generally radially oriented, and merges into an outer inclined grinding zone. Pulp stock to be ground is introduced into a central inlet position and is accelerated through the inner and outer grinding zones by centrifugal forces generated by a pair of grinding members which rotate relative to one and other. The opposed surfaces of the relatively rotating members each carry a plurality of concentric rows of teeth, and the gap spacing of the inner grinding zone is defined between adjacent surfaces of the teeth. The adjacent teeth defining the inner grinding zone are arranged so that adjustment of the gap space of the outer grinding zone simultaneously controls the gap spacing of the inner grinding zone without the need for separate adjustment.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for treating a fibre suspension by screening and fibre-separating mechanical working in the manufacture of papermaking pulp. The apparatus is provided with a rotor arranged within a housing, which rotor is surrounded by a stator. The inner surface of the stator cooperates with the outer surface of the rotor to define a refining gap for the treatment of the fibre suspension. The refining gap is divided into a first treating zone and a second treating zone for the processing of the fibre suspension. An adjustment member allows for adjusting the width of the refining gap within the first treating zone independently of the width of the refining gap within the second treating zone. The refining gap within both the first and second treating zones may be simultaneously adjusted by axial displacement of the rotor.

Abstract: In a refiner (40) with two opposed discs (47,48) rotatable relative to each other fibre pulp is manufactured from lignocellulose-containing material. The material is advanced in a channel comprising a plug pipe (20), through which the material is fed in compressed state, and a steam screen pipe (32) for discharging steam. The steam screen pipe (32) is located directly after the plug pipe (20) and has a cross-sectional area, which slightly exceeds that of the plug pipe in order to allow a limited expansion of the material plug. The steam is thereby allowed to flow through the material, at the same time as the material plug prevents clogging of the apertures (37,39) of the steam screen pipe.

Abstract: Combined hydrostatic/hydrodynamic bearing system for a grinding apparatus in which the material is ground in a grinding space defined between a pair of relatively rotating grinding members and in which at least one of the grinding members is carried by an axially displaceable rotatable shaft. One or more cylindrical pistons are mounted on the rotatable shaft to rotate therewith within a pressure chamber defined within a stationary cylindrical housing permitting the piston or pistons to be displaced axially therein. Fluctuations in axial thrust forces acting on the displaceable rotatable shaft are counteracted by applying a fluid pressure medium to one or both of the piston ends of the cylindrical piston or pistons in a controlled manner so as to maintain a predetermined clearance range of the grinding space.

Abstract: Fibre pulp is manufactured in a refiner with opposed refining members (22,23,24) rotary relative to each other and enclosed in a pressure-proof refiner housing (20). Steam is separated from the fibre pulp in the refiner housing (20) at the counter-effect of centrifugal forces generated by radial wing members (40) on a rotary refining member (23,24). The steam is led off separately from the refiner housing (20) through a steam outlet (42), which communicates with a space (41) radially inside of the wing members (40). The fibre pulp is discharged separately through a discharge device (50,60,70,80,90) while in the refiner housing the desired pressure is maintained.

Abstract: Combined hydrostatic/hydrodynamic bearing system for a grinding apparatus in which the material is ground in a grinding space defined between a pair of relatively rotating grinding members and in which at least one of the grinding members is carried by an axially displaceable rotatable shaft. One or more cylindrical pistons are mounted on the rotatable shaft to rotate therewith within a pressure chamber defined within a stationary cylindrical housing permitting the piston or pistons to be displaced axially therein. Fluctuations in axial thrust forces acting on the displaceable rotatable shaft are counteracted by applying a fluid pressure medium to one or both of the piston ends of the cylindrical piston or pistons in a controlled manner so as to maintain a predetermined clearance range of the grinding space.

Abstract: A refiner for manufacturing fibre pulp from lignocellulose-containing material, comprising a pressure-proof refiner housing (20) with opposed refining members (21,22) rotating relative to each other. Steam is separated from the fibre pulp in the refiner housing (20) at the counter-effect of a fibre separating rotor (30) provided with wing members (31) and located on the rear side of a rotatable refining member (22). The steam is thereafter compressed in at least one step by means of this rotor (30) and possibly subsequent turbine wheels (34).

Abstract: Apparatus for producing thermo-mechanical pulp from wood chips and the like in which the chips are first heated in a steaming chamber or preheater to a fiber temperature below the softening point of the lignin of middle lamella section of the wood fibers. The thus heated chips are conveyed in a sealed system to the inlet of a defibrating zone enclosed within a housing in a gaseous atmosphere of superatmospheric pressure, where it is compressed by a screw conveyor into a plug which seals the defibrator housing against blow-back of the pressurized gaseous medium.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for grinding pulp stock in the grinding space of a defibrating apparatus, which space is defined between grinding surfaces carried by a pair of grinding discs, both of which rotate relative to one another within a closed housing, to thereby control the rate of flow of grist through the grinding space. The grinding space includes an inner grinding zone and two outer grinding zones which diverge at an angle to the radial plane of the inner zone. The inner grinding zone is defined between the two facially-opposed rotating discs in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and the outer grinding zones are defined between portions of the two rotating discs which extend at an angle to the radial plane of the inner zone and correspondingly inclined facing surfaces of a stationary element such as a stator ring encasing the two rotating discs.

Abstract: A grinding apparatus in which lignocellulose-containing material such as wood chips is ground in a grinding space defined between cooperating disc segments carried by a rotating disc and a stationary disc in close spacing tolerance. In order to counteract the deflective centrifugal force exerted on the rotating disc segments, the peripheral portion at the rear of the rotating disc is formed with an annular bulge having an annular channel therein for receiving mercury in an amount calculated to generate during the rotation of the bulging disc a counter centrifugal force equal to the deflecting centrifugal force exerted on the rotating grinding segments to thereby maintain the close tolerance spacing between the cooperating grinding segments.

Abstract: Method of producing fiberboard products according to the so-called dry method from lignocellulosic fiber material in which the fiber material discharged from a defibrating apparatus in an environment of steam is propelled in a stream of heated air to remove substantially all moisture therefrom. The thus dried fibers are deposited on an underlying moving perforated screen to form a mat in which the fibers are oriented at random while propellant air is evacuated therefrom. The thus formed mat is wetted by adding water thereto while it is being advanced by the screen into a hot press where the wetted fibers are compressed and bonded in their random orientation, with consequent removal of water. The amount of water added in the wetting step is proportioned to be effective in itself to bond the fibers without use of extraneous bonding or adhesive substance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for controlling the effect of centrifugal force on pulp stock while being ground in the grinding space of a defibrating apparatus. The grinding space includes a central portion, a first grinding zone defined between first and second rotatable grinding discs and extending outwards from the central portion, and a second grinding zone extending angularly from the outer end of the first grinding zone and being defined between one of the rotatable grinding discs and a stationary grinding surface. Pulp stock to be ground is introduced into the central portion and accelerated through the first and second grinding zones by centrifugal force generated by the rotating discs. The angular second grinding zone serves to retard centrifugal force acting on the pulp in the second grinding zone to increase the dwell time of the pulp in the grinding space for achieving optimum refining efficiency.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing thermo-mechanical pulp from wood chips and the like in which the chips are first heated in a steaming chamber or preheater to a fiber temperature below the softening point of the lignin of middle lamella section of the wood fibers. The thus heated chips are conveyed in a sealed system to the inlet of a difibrating zone enclosed within a housing in a gaseous atmosphere of superatmospheric pressure, where it is compressed by a screw conveyor into a plug which seals the defibrator housing against blow-back of the pressurized gaseous medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for controlling the effect of centrifugal force on pulp stock while being ground in the grinding space of a defibrating apparatus defined between a pair of grinding discs which rotate relative to one another in a fluid environment under superatmospheric pressure and corresponding elevated temperature. The grinding space includes a central portion, a first outwardly extending grinding space and a second outer grinding zone extending at an inclined angle from the first grinding zone. Pulp stock to be ground is introduced into the central portion and accelerated through the first and second grinding zones by centrifugal force generated by the rotating discs. The inclined grinding zone serves to split the centrifugal force into a vector perpendicular to the direction of flow of the pulp material and a vector aligned with the axial flow to reduce the accelerating force on the pulp grist in the direction of outward flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method in or relating to grinding of vegetable material in a grinding apparatus equipped with discs mounted rotatably relatively one another in a casing, within which a superatmospheric pressure is maintained by steam. This steam is introduced into the casing together with the vegetable material to be ground through a central inlet into an interspace defined by the discs. The material and the steam pass radially outward through said interspace. Immediately on departure from the interspace the ground pulp is received by an atmosphere of a non-condensable gas, the action of which gives the final product desired properties.

Abstract: A device for evacuating blow-back steam in a pulp refining apparatus in which lignocellulosic pulp stock is ground in an environment of superatmospheric steam in a grinding space defined between a pair of grinding members which rotate relatively to one another in a closed housing having a feed-in opening into which the pulp stock is advanced by means of a feed screw which rotates within a feed-in passage. A jacket having a perforate wall is arranged about the feed-in passage for receiving the blow-back steam separated from the pulp stock, and which steam is evacuated therefrom through a conduit connected to the jacket. The feed screw rotates in close proximity to the perforate wall to maintain it free of pulp stock particles.