Refiner Outlet Element Segmentation for Fiber Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber treatment processes, such as those used in the paper industry, are energy-inefficient, require complex designs, and incur high maintenance costs due to full-surface contact with grinding surfaces, leading to excessive energy consumption and frequent downtime.
Innovation Solution
A device and method where only a partial surface of a movable treatment body is exposed to the fiber mixture, allowing for a slit-shaped treatment zone between grinding surfaces, enabling controlled fiber treatment with adjustable grinding intensity and reduced idle power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the entire moving grinding surface is exposed to the material mixture to ensure economical grinding with high throughput, then the throughput is improved, but the energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The grinding surface is segmented into an exposed working area and a non-exposed area. Only the necessary portion of the grinding surface contacts the material mixture, while other portions remain exposed to reduce drag and energy consumption. This is achieved through the specific geometric arrangement of the grinding elements and the controlled supply of material mixture to the treatment zone.
Solution Approach 2:
Different areas of the grinding surface have different functions: the exposed area performs grinding while the non-exposed area minimizes energy loss. The material mixture is supplied locally to the treatment zone rather than covering the entire surface, creating local quality differences in terms of material contact and energy expenditure.
2Reliability
If complex sealing solutions are implemented to ensure controlled supply and discharge of material mixture, then the process control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The material mixture supply is extracted and directed only to the specific treatment zone where grinding occurs, rather than requiring sealed enclosures for the entire device. This localized supply approach eliminates the need for complex sealing solutions while maintaining process control.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric arrangement of grinding elements and the treatment zone configuration act as intermediaries that naturally control material flow and supply without requiring additional sealing mechanisms. The physical structure itself regulates the material mixture supply to the necessary areas.
3Reliability
If grinding surfaces are arranged in direct contact with material mixture for effective fiber treatment, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but the maintenance costs increase due to component wear
Solution Approach 1:
The grinding surface is divided into exposed and non-exposed areas, reducing the total surface area subject to material contact and wear. This segmentation allows only the necessary portion of the grinding surface to undergo wear, thereby reducing overall maintenance requirements and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of exposing the entire grinding surface to material mixture, only the partial area necessary for effective treatment is exposed. This partial action approach maintains treatment effectiveness while minimizing wear on non-critical areas, thereby reducing maintenance frequency and costs.
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
The solution achieves energy-efficient, cost-effective, and reliable fiber treatment with reduced maintenance needs, capable of processing various material densities and ensuring high throughput and homogeneity.
Implementation Method 1
The processing of the fibers is achieved through pressure pulses between the projections, such as knives, edges, etc., of the respective grinding surfaces
Implementation Method 2
the fibers are more cut (crimped grinding) or more fibrillated (smeared grinding) during processing
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1), in particular a refiner, and to a method for handling fibres (3) of a mixture of substances (2) containing fibres (3), wherein the device comprises at least one outlet element (11) for the passage of the fibre-containing mixture of substances (2) containing fibres having an outlet opening (12) and at least one first refining surface (8) arranged around the outlet opening (12) in a circumferential direction, as well as at least one delivery device (18) for positioning the outlet element (11), and wherein a moveable handling body (7) having a second refining surface (9) is arranged opposite the at least one outlet element (11) for handling the mixture of substances (2) containing fibres (3), wherein, with the passage of the mixture of substances (2) containing fibres (3) through the outlet element (11), a gap-type handling area (16) is formed between the first refining surface (8) of the outlet element (11) and a sub-surface (10) of the second refining surface (9) of the moveable handling body (7) applied with the mixture of substances.