Abstract: Conical inlet refiner elements for a mechanical refiner include: a conical stator element disposed between a feedstock inlet to the mechanical refiner and primary refining plates of the mechanical refiner; and a conical rotor element disposed between the feedstock inlet to the mechanical refiner and the primary refining plates, the conical rotor element configured to form an initial refining gap with the conical stator element. The conical stator element and the conical rotor element are configured to cause a radial change greater than zero but less than 90 degrees in a direction of an axial feedstock flow path through the initial refining gap at a feedstock inlet to a primary refining gap formed between the primary refining plates, where the primary refining gap formed between the primary refining plates lies in a plane that is approximately perpendicular to the axial feedstock flow path.

Abstract: A panel sector, for a disc filter for separation of liquids from a suspension, includes front and back filter panel assemblies, a sector assembly for mounting the front and back filter panel assemblies, and a top cap for retaining the filter panel assemblies within the sector assembly. Each of the filter panel assemblies includes a frame and a filter material clamped by the frame. The sector assembly includes an outer end plate, an inner core mounting plate subassembly for mounting the panel sector to the disc filter core, first and second side channel subassemblies, at least one structural member extending radially between the core mounting plate subassembly and the outer end plate, and at least one support member extending laterally between the first and second side channel subassemblies. The core mounting plate subassembly and each of the side channel subassemblies have front and back channels for receiving portions of the frame.

Abstract: An impeller is for separating a conveyed stream of material. The impeller has a central rotatable hub with a plurality of blades extending radially therefrom. The hub and blades form a number of generally wedge-shaped material receiving spaces within the impeller. One set of spaces has a baffle arrangement which is configured to direct material in this set outwardly from the impeller on the upstream side of the baffle arrangement. Another set of spaces has a guide arrangement which is configured to guide the material in this set of spaces outwardly from the impeller on the downstream side of the baffle arrangement. The impeller is particularly useful for separating streams of particulates, such as wood chips, compressed shavings, or the like.

Abstract: A feeder assembly for lignocellulosic chip refiner has a conical core having a major diameter end and a minor diameter end. A helically coiled ribbon is supported by and extends longitudinally in spaced relation with the core. The ribbon is defined by turns of increasing diameter extending from the minor to the major diameter end of the core. A conical feed housing surrounds the ribbon.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the mechanical refining of high consistency lignocellulosic feed material in a frustroconical refining zone, by facilitating the backflow of steam generated in the refining zone through the upstream feed zone which, despite the backflow of steam, imparts outward force on the feed material sufficient for the material to enter the refining zone and pass therethrough, without blockage or flow interruption. This is accomplished by providing, immediately upstream of the frustroconical refining zone (46), a hybrid feed/grinding zone (104), which acts on the wood chips with relatively high refining intensity at low refining power, so as to reduce the size of the material and outwardly convey the material by centrifugal force into the frustroconical refining zone against the backflowing steam, but without generating steam in the hybrid zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for splitting a stream of material into two or more streams. The apparatus includes a cylindrical housing with an axial inlet and two or more radial outlets which are axially spaced from each other. The apparatus includes an impeller which has a central shaft with a plurality of blades extending radially therefrom defining two or more sets of material receiving chambers. Each set of material receiving chambers has guide means directing any material which enters the chambers in that particular set outward through a specific outlet. Due to the rapid rotation of the impeller, each set of material receiving chambers receives material from the inlet at a predetermined ratio of flow rates relative, and guides that material outward through a particular outlet. The device is particularly useful for splitting a stream of particulate material into two separate streams having equal flow rates, even if the flow rate at the inlet to the stream splitter is inconsistent.

Abstract: A high consistency pulp refiner of the type having a pressurized casing (12) containing opposed grinding discs (14,18) mounted for counter-rotation about a common axis (26) and between which material to be refined is introduced near the axis so as to move generally radially outwardly through an inner refining zone (40) between the discs while producing steam as a result of the refining action. The partially refined material and steam then move through a generally radially outer refining zone (50) between one of the discs (14) and a stationary grinding surface (54) situated generally radially outwardly of the other disc (18), whereupon the refined material and steam are discharged from the casing through a material outlet (62).

Abstract: A pressurized disc refiner and associated method, in which three distinct refining zones (42, 44, 46) are provided within one refiner unit (10). The refining intensity is independently controllable in each zone, in part as a result of the selective separation and redirection of steam and partially refined fibers that are discharged from the first refining zone (42) into a first separation region (68). Centrifugal force in the first separation region preferentially directs all or most of the fibers into the second refining zone (44) and an axially directed pneumatic force directs steam into a second separation region (74) on the back side of the disc. Additional separation of steam and partially refined fiber in the second separation region directs the fiber to the third refining zone (46) and draws steam directly out of the housing. A specially adapted first disc plate (14) facilitates the separation in the first separation zone (68).

Abstract: A grinding plate (10) for the face (104) of a refiner disc (100) having a center and a substantially circular periphery (102), comprises a plurality of grinding plate segments (12) arranged side-by-side on the face (104) of the disc to form a substantially annular refining region (14) having an inner edge (22) near the center and an outer edge (24) near the periphery of the disc. Each plate segment (12) extends substantially radially and has a pattern of bars and grooves between bars, whereby material to be refined and steam produced during refining, can flow in the grooves in the general direction from the inner edge (22) toward the outer edge (24) of the refining region (14).

Abstract: A rotor member (10,000) having a central bore wall (18,118) that is rigidly connected to a shaft (12,112) by a thermally-induced interference fit and by radially extending, interlocking complementary formations, wherein said formations include a key (20,120) projecting from the shaft into a substantially semi-elliptical keyway recess (22,122) in the bore wall.

Abstract: A multi-stage process, and apparatus for carrying out the process, are provided for refining lignocellulose containing material at high consistency. The lignocellulose material is pretreated to form a mixture of the lignocellulose material and pressurized steam conveyed via the pressure of the pressurized steam to a first refiner, wherein the lignocellulose material is conveyed mechanically into a first refining zone within the first refiner while causing the pressurized steam in the mixture to pass in reverse direction to the lignocellulose to a steam venting outlet to vent the steam from the first refiner. The lignocellulose material fed into the first refining zone is subjected to refining action thereby producing a mixture of partially refined lignocellulose material and pressurized steam developed during the refining action.