Abstract: Method and apparatus for minimizing steam consumption in the production of pulp used for the manufacture of fiberboard and the like, in which chips of cellulosic material are ground in a defibrator or refiner in an environment of saturated steam above 100.degree. C and corresponding steam pressures. The chips are normally presteamed with atmospheric steam separated from the pulp at the discharge end of the defibrating process to a temperature between 90.degree. C and 100.degree. C and compressed and dewatered to a dryness of at least 50% and then passed into a preheater which forms part of the defibrating or refining apparatus, where the compressed and dewatered chips are heated to the desired defibrating or refining temperature, usually ranging between 130.degree. C and 200.degree.

Abstract: Lignocellulose fiber containing chips, preheated with steam liberated from a previous chip defibration, are dewatered and then defibrated in an atmosphere of saturated steam and in the presence of backwater and suspended in backwater to form a pulp suspension whereafter wet sheets are formed from the pulp suspension, water is mechanically removed from the wet sheets and recycled as backwater to be supplied simultaneously, with dewatered chips, to the defibration step and to form a new pulp suspension and said wet sheets are dried.