Patents Assigned to Valmet AB
  • Patent number: 12139853
    Abstract: A method for continuous steam explosion discharge of a pressurised reactor for thermal treatment of lignocellulose biomasses. The steam explosion discharge is complete decoupled from the thermal treatment step and the loss of steam from the process is fully controlled without jeopardizing the mechanical disintegration of the lignocellulose material from the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Olof Melander, Peter Björklund
  • Publication number: 20240328085
    Abstract: An accessory is provided for a disc refiner that is for refining lignocellulosic material and includes at least two refiner discs, at least one of which is a rotor refiner disc, a motor, and a rotation shaft assembly that includes (i) a rotation shaft, (ii) a shaft housing, (iii) at least one bearing between the shaft housing and the rotation shaft for allowing rotation of the rotation shaft within the shaft housing, and (iv) at least one ring-shaped locknut that encircles the rotation shaft, is configured for holding the at least one bearing in place on the rotation shaft, and includes notches for a tool to grip when attaching the locknut in the rotation shaft assembly. The accessory is configured to be attached to the locknut and includes at least one covering part configured to at least partly cover the notches of the locknut when attached to the locknut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicant: VALMET AB
    Inventor: Robert SHORT
  • Patent number: 12098505
    Abstract: A system for treatment of a biomass material and a method for transporting biomass material, said system comprising: —a first vessel (3) in which said biomass material is treated at a first pressure;—a second vessel (5) in which said biomass material is collected at a second pressure which is lower than the first pressure; and—a transporting pipe (7) connecting an outlet (9) of the first vessel (3) with an inlet (11) of the second vessel (5) for transporting the biomass material from the first vessel to the second vessel, wherein said transporting pipe (7) comprises at least one restriction (13) for control of the flow in the transporting pipe and hereby providing a pressure drop to the transported biomass material, wherein at least one of said at least one restriction (13) is provided somewhere in the second half of the length of the transporting pipe (7) starting from the first vessel (3) and ending at the second vessel (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Olof Melander, Patrik Pettersson, Johan Carlsson
  • Patent number: 12091817
    Abstract: The invention relates to a discharge screw arrangement (12) for discharging lignocellulosic material (7) from a lignocellulosic treatment reactor (1) and comprises a discharge screw (10), a feeder pipe (11) and a blow pipe (5), the discharge screw being accommodated in and rotatably arranged inside the feeder pipe and being configured to mechanically transport the lignocellulosic material in a longitudinal direction along a rotational axis of the discharge screw through the feeder pipe towards a downstream end (14) of the feeder pipe, which discharge screw arrangement is configured to allow steam to flow through the feeder pipe to help transporting the lignocellulosic material in the longitudinal direction along through the feeder pipe and out of the feeder pipe through an outlet nozzle (24) arranged in a side wall of the feeder pipe (11) at the downstream end of the feeder pipe and into the blow pipe, wherein the discharge screw arrangement further comprises a material spreader (20), which is rotatably arran
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: VALMET AB
    Inventor: Örjan Ahlgren
  • Publication number: 20240287737
    Abstract: The present invention relates to separation of lignin from an aqueous slurry containing lignocellulosic biomass material comprising providing the aqueous slurry having an initial pH level to at least one precipitation phase for precipitating lignin, performing said precipitation phase during a reaction time including adding at least one acidifier, wherein a decrease in the pH value of the aqueous slurry to a lower ph level is created, separating the lignin in a first separation phase, performing an acidification phase including, performing a re-slurry step including mixing lignin from the first separation phase with an acidifier to form an acidic slurry, establishing a reaction temperature in a range of 65-95 degrees Celsius. and performing a retention step including maintaining the acidic slurry at the reaction temperature for a reaction time period of 30-60 minutes, and separating the treated lignin content from the acidic slurry in a second separation phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Applicant: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Henrik WALLMO, Anders LITTORIN
  • Publication number: 20240287738
    Abstract: The invention relates to separation of lignin from an aqueous slurry containing lignocellulosic biomass material, such as black liquor, comprising the steps of providing an aqueous slurry having an initial pH level to a first precipitation phase, where the first precipitation phase is performed during a first time duration including adding a first acidifier. Thereby, a decrease in the pH value of the aqueous slurry from the initial pH level to a first pH level above 11 is created. Thereafter, processed aqueous slurry is fed from the first precipitation phase to a second precipitation phase. The second precipitation phase is performed during a second time duration. The second precipitation phase includes adding of a second acidifier, wherein a decrease in the first pH value from said first pH level to a second pH level above 9 is created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Applicant: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Henrik WALLMO, Anders LITTORIN
  • Patent number: 12060680
    Abstract: A method for updating a disc refiner by at least partly covering notches of a locknut in the disc refiner and an accessory for a disc refiner Said disc refiner comprising a motor and a rotation shaft assembly, wherein said rotation shaft assembly comprises a rotation shaft, which is connecting the motor and a rotor refiner disc of the disc refiner for driving rotation of the rotor refiner disc from the motor, said rotation shaft assembly further comprising at least one bearing, which is provided between a shaft housing and the rotation shaft for allowing rotation of the rotation shaft within the shaft housing, said rotation shaft assembly further comprising at least one ring-shaped locknut, which is encircling the rotation shaft and configured for holding the at least one bearing in place on the rotation shaft, said locknut comprising notches for a tool to grip when attaching the locknut in the rotation shaft assembly, wherein said accessory is configured for being attached to the locknut and comprises at lea
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: VALMET AB
    Inventor: Robert Short
  • Publication number: 20240247440
    Abstract: A treatment vessel for treating lignocellulosic material comprises a main section having a first end and a second end, and an outlet section that is conical or frustoconical and tapers from a first end joined to the second end of the main section towards a second end having an outlet opening. A conical body is arranged within the treatment vessel, the vertex of the conical body pointing away from the main section. The conical body is positioned such that the base thereof is positioned within a perpendicular distance (d) from a transition plane (T) defined by the junction between the first end of the outlet section and the second end of the main section, wherein the perpendicular distance (d) is ¼ or less of the diameter (D) of the main section. A half angle (?) of the conical body is 0.5-20° less, preferably 5-15° less, such as 10° less, than a half angle (?) of the outlet section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Applicant: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Roger JANSSON, Jerk SÖDERMAN, Jonas SAETHERÅSEN
  • Patent number: 12043958
    Abstract: A chip chute for transporting wood chips includes: first, second, third, and fourth planar lateral walls defining an open area having a rectangular cross-section, with an inlet opening configured to receive the wood chips, wherein the first and second planar lateral walls oppose each other and extend in a height (H) direction and a first length (Li) direction, and wherein the third and fourth planar lateral walls oppose each other and extend in the height (H) direction and a second length (L2) direction perpendicular to the first length (L1) direction; a curved bottom wall that is located at a bottom of the planar lateral walls and curves from the first planar lateral wall to the second planar lateral wall; and a cylindrical outlet tube protruding laterally from one of the planar lateral walls and configured to discharge the wood chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Jonas Saetheråsen, Jerk Söderman, Robert Lavén, Bengt Wernersson Östberg
  • Publication number: 20240229353
    Abstract: A method for continuously treating biomass material includes: feeding the biomass material into a substantially vertically arranged pressurized vessel; adding steam to said pressurized vessel for hydrothermal treatment of the biomass material, wherein said adding steam comprises adding steam at a lower portion of the pressurized vessel; discharging the biomass material from a bottom portion of the pressurized vessel using a discharge device; withdrawing vapor from a top portion of the pressurized vessel, and adding said vapor to the discharge device; controlling differential pressure between said top portion of the pressurized vessel and said discharge device by controlling a flow of said vapor; and determining a minimum flow of steam needed to heat the biomass material in the pressurized vessel to a predetermined temperature, wherein said adding steam comprises adding steam at a flow that is higher than said minimum flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Francois LAMBERT, Patrik PETTERSSON, Peter BJÖRKLUND
  • Publication number: 20240229355
    Abstract: A refiner disc of a refiner for refining of lignocellulosic material has an active surface configured to face another refiner disc when used in the refiner. active surface comprises a pattern of bars and grooves disposed in a plurality of pattern areas. The pattern areas are positioned side by side with each other to cover at least a part of the active surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: VALMET AB
    Inventor: Thommy LINDBLOM
  • Patent number: 12031270
    Abstract: A refiner segment (101; 201) for use in a refiner disc (30; 30*) of a refiner (100) for refining of lignocellulosic material, said refiner segment (1) having an active surface comprising a plurality of bars (10) which are extending over the active surface (2) towards an outer periphery (18b) of the refiner segment, wherein at least three of the bars (10) comprises a last-box fluid connection (21) which is a fluid connection provided through the bar (10) for connecting a last box (23a) on one side of this bar with a last box (23a) on the other side of this bar (10) such that a pressure can be equalized between these two last boxes (23a) via the last-box fluid connection (21), wherein said last-box fluid connection (21) is provided in the bar (10) at a distance between 0.0-15.0 mm from the closest last dam (11a) which is extending from this bar (10) to another adjacent bar (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Thommy Lindblom, Leonardo Gabriel
  • Patent number: 12024822
    Abstract: A torque reaction arrangement (50) for twin press-roll pulp washers comprises a first torque reaction arm (10), a second torque reaction arm (20), a first link (19), and a second link (29). The links are provided between the ends of a respective torque reaction arm and a point close to the mounting to a respective stator of the other torque reaction arm. The torque reaction arms are rigidly mounted to a respective stator of a respective press roll motor. A twin press-roll pulp washer with such a torque reaction arrangement is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: VALMET AB
    Inventor: Tobias Lööf
  • Patent number: 12012695
    Abstract: A double disc refiner includes a first refining disc at a feed end and an opposing second refining disc. The first disc has inlet opening(s) and a first distal surface facing a second disc opposing surface. A first disc refining segment has a second distal surface facing the opposing surface that has a first height relative to a plane of the first distal surface in a direction toward the opposing surface. A first disc center plate has elongated protrusions radially extending therefrom and a third distal surface having a second height in the direction of the first height that is at least equal to the first height. Each protrusion has a fourth distal surface continuous with the third distal surface and a third height in the direction of the first height equal to the second height. The third distal surface is separated from the opposing surface by 5-15 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Karl Lönngren, Mikael Lundfors
  • Patent number: 12012697
    Abstract: A through-air apparatus for drying or bonding paper, tissue, or nonwoven webs is provided. The apparatus includes a web-carrying structure configured to move and a first component having at least one sealing element adjacent the web-carrying structure, where the sealing element is configured to reduce the infiltration of ambient air into the through-air apparatus. The apparatus also includes at least one channel configured to direct air to the sealing element to reduce the infiltration of ambient air into the through-air apparatus. A method of operating a through-air apparatus for drying or bonding paper, tissue, or nonwoven webs is also provided. The method includes directing air to a sealing element to reduce the infiltration of ambient air into the through-air apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Valmet AB
    Inventors: Mikhail Y. Shekhter, Robert H. Miller, III
  • Patent number: 12005418
    Abstract: A reactor vessel (1) for biomass material, wherein said reactor vessel (1) is a pressurized reactor vessel, said reactor vessel being elongated and comprising: a substantially tubular vessel part (3); two gables (5a, 5b) connected one to each end (19a, 19b) of the tubular vessel part (3), hereby enclosing a vessel internal compartment (7); and a material transporting screw (8) comprising a central shaft (9) provided within the vessel internal compartment (7) extending between the two gables (5a, 5b) along a central axis (A) of the reactor vessel (1), wherein said material transporting screw further comprises screw flight (11) provided around the shaft (9), wherein said material transporting screw is configured for transporting the biomass material through the reactor vessel, wherein both gables (5a, 5b) are inwardly dished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Stefan Mellander, Johan Carlsson, Lars Fredriksson, Francois Lambert
  • Publication number: 20240158989
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixing assembly for controlling mixing of green liquor and a flocculation agent, the mixing assembly comprising a mixing vessel (20) having a first end and a second end, a vessel inlet (21) for supplying liquor and flocculation agent to the mixing vessel in a vicinity of the first end, a vessel outlet (22), a stirring device (31) that is rotatably arranged in the vicinity of the first end for mixing the liquor and flocculation agent by stirring, wherein the mixing vessel (20) has a length from a center of the vessel inlet to a center of the vessel outlet, and the mixing vessel also has a maximum width that is perpendicular to the length, and wherein said length is at least 1.5 times the maximum width. The invention also relates to a method for controlling flocculation of green liquor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Johan SKARIUS, Nicholas ROWE
  • Patent number: 11980837
    Abstract: A pulp-filter arrangement (1) comprises a rotatable drum (10) and a non-rotating valve arrangement (30). The rotatable drum (10) has a cylindrical water-permeable pulp-supporting shell (14), a plurality of drain pipes (16) and a rotating hollow shaft (18). The plurality of drainpipes (16) connects the rotating hollow shaft (18) with a collecting channel (22) situated radially directly inside the cylindrical water-permeable pulp-supporting shell (14). The non-rotating valve arrangement (30) is disposed within the rotating hollow shaft (18) for sealing off the rotating hollow shaft (18) from a radially inner outlet (24) of the drain pipes (16) when respective radially inner outlet (24) is situated within a sealed zone. The non-rotating valve arrangement (30) is further arranged to, in a transition zone immediately following the sealed zone, open a throttled passage between the rotating hollow shaft (18) and the radially inner outlet (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Åke Sundström, Jonas Magnusson, Anders Löfstrand, Peter Nykvist, Jörgen Lundberg
  • Patent number: 11965652
    Abstract: A mounting system for a laser detection sensor in a ductwork for the detection of unburnt fuel is provided. The mounting system includes a laser transmitter mount configured to provide adjustment of a laser transmitter and a laser receiver mount configured to provide adjustment of a laser receiver. The mounting system also includes a laser path extending between the laser transmitter and the laser receiver that includes an entrance port in the ductwork and an exit port in the ductwork. The mounting system also includes a flexible joint in the mounting system, where the flexible joint is configured to isolate at least one of the laser transmitter and the laser receiver from movement of the ductwork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Valmet AB
    Inventors: Mikhail Y. Shekhter, Kristen K. Bandle, Robert H. Miller, III
  • Publication number: 20240117566
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating green liquor in a green liquor treatment arrangement, wherein the method comprises—adding (101) a flocculation agent to green liquor to form flocculated green liquor,—supplying (102) the flocculated green liquor to a clarifying vessel for separating flocculated green liquor into flocculated matter and clear green liquor,—removing (103) flocculated matter through a sludge outlet, and—removing (104) clear green liquor from the clarifying vessel, wherein the method further comprises—measuring (201) a flocculation of the green liquor, wherein said measuring takes place after adding the flocculation agent but before supplying the flocculated green liquor to the clarifying vessel. The invention also relates to a green liquor treatment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Johan SKARIUS, Nicholas ROWE