Microfibrillated Cellulose Refining with Short Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for producing microfibrillated cellulose fibers require multiple passes through refiners, leading to significant energy loss and uneven quality due to high no-load energy consumption and runnability issues with conventional blade heights, necessitating multiple refiners and increased investment costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving pre-treatment of chemical pulp to achieve a Schopper-Riegler value above 50, refining at a consistency of 3-6% with refiner blades of 2-3 mm height, and optimizing refining conditions such as pH, temperature, and rotation speed to enhance pulp quality and reduce energy loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple passes through refiners are used to produce microfibrillated cellulose, then the refining quality improves, but the energy loss increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-treating the chemical pulp before refining to achieve a Schopper-Riegler value above 50. This pre-treatment prepares the pulp in advance, reducing the number of refiner passes needed and thereby decreasing no-load energy consumption while maintaining refining quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters including refiner blade height (reducing to 2-3 mm), pulp consistency (3-6%), and Schopper-Riegler value (above 50). These parameter changes optimize the refining process to achieve high-quality microfibrillated cellulose in fewer passes, reducing energy loss.
2Ease of operation
If conventional refiner blade heights (6-10 mm) are used, then the refiner runnability is maintained, but the energy loss increases and multiple refiners are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces refiner blade height from conventional 6-10 mm to 2-3 mm. This parameter change increases the energy efficiency and allows single-refiner operation while maintaining runnability through optimized pulp consistency and Schopper-Riegler value parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic optimization by adjusting multiple parameters (blade height, consistency, SR value) to work together. The system dynamically balances blade height reduction with pulp preparation to maintain runnability while improving energy efficiency.
3Loss of energy
If refiner blade height is reduced to 2-3 mm, then the energy efficiency improves and single refiner operation is enabled, but the risk of blade blocking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-treating the pulp to achieve specific SR values above 50 before refining. This advance preparation ensures the pulp is properly conditioned, preventing blade blocking when using reduced-height blades while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes multiple parameters including pulp consistency (3-6%) and Schopper-Riegler value (above 50) to work in conjunction with reduced blade height. These parameter changes create optimal conditions that prevent blade blocking while maintaining the energy benefits of short blades.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple refiners are used to achieve high refining, then the microfibrillated cellulose quality improves, but the investment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary pre-treatment of chemical pulp to achieve SR values above 50, which prepares the material in advance for effective single-refiner processing. This eliminates the need for multiple refiners while maintaining high MFC quality, thereby reducing investment costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes parameters (blade height 2-3 mm, consistency 3-6%, SR value >50) to enable high-quality MFC production in a single refiner. This parameter optimization replaces the need for multiple refiners, reducing device complexity and investment costs while maintaining quality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for more efficient energy input with fewer refiners, reducing energy loss and enhancing pulp quality, enabling higher edge loads and lower investment costs while maintaining even temperature and refining efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
refining the pulp, at a consistency of 3-6%, in a refiner with refiner blades
Implementation Method 2
refining the pulp, at a consistency of 3-6%, in a refiner with refiner blades
Implementation Method 3
pre-treating of chemical pulp, such that, the pulp reaches a Schopper-Riegler (SR) value above 50
Data Source
AI summary
Method for producing microfibrillated cellulose(MFC), wherein the method comprising the steps of: Pre-treating of chemical pulp, such that, the pulp reaches a Schopper-Riegler (SR) value above 50, and refining the pulp, at a consistency of 3-6%, in a refiner with refiner blades, wherein the height of the refiner blades is in the range 2-3mm.