Abstract: A system for mixing and refining pulp in which the raw material is conveyed into a cylindrical drum and propelled therethrough in linear/spiral direction by a co-axial rotor comprising a plurality of mixing/refining elements. The raw material is mixed and refined during the relative rotation between the rotor and the drum in a plurality of co-axially extending grinding areas defined between rotatable grinding elements on the rotor and a facing grinding surface on the interior of the drum while being simultaneously compressed therein and alternately decompressed in areas between the grinding areas. The rotatable elements are adjustably mounted to the rotor so as to vary the spacing between the grinding surface on the interior of the drum and a rotatable grinding surface on the grinding elements, while simultaneously adjusting the material feeding angle of the grinding areas.

Abstract: A method and a means for manufacturing cellulose pulp from ligno-cellulose fiber material wherein the fiber material is treated under steam pressure. The treatment is carried out in a mill (18, 32) or similar means under such conditions that substantially all the liquid present in the material and/or added thereto during the treatment is converted into gaseous form or steam. The gas or steam thus generated, plus any added gas, is used to convey the cellulose material at high velocity to at least one subsequent separating vessel (22, 36, 38, 40) wherein the fibers entrained with the gas or steam are given a trajectory of motion in the course of which the fiber material is sorted with respect to weight, surface area, or other distinguishing features.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing pulp from moisture-containing lignocellulosic material, such as wood chips, which is ground in a grinding space defined between a pair of grinding discs which rotate relative to one another in an environment of pressurized steam generated during the grinding process, in a closed housing. The ground fiber or pulp discharged from the grinding housing is propelled by the accompanying steam into a cyclone, where the ground pulp is separated from the steam for further treatment, while the steam is recycled for further use in the pulping process. The pressure in the cyclone is so controlled that a pressure is maintained therein which is substantially equal to a pressure drop which is sufficient merely to maintain the propellant force of the steam to convey the ground pulp from the grinding housing to the cyclone while discharging the separated steam and recycling it for further use in the pulping process.