Fiber Refiner Vibration Feedback for Adaptive Disk-Gap Refining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refining methods require manual operator intervention to adjust refining energy, leading to high production costs and inefficiencies due to the need for conservative or aggressive energy set points, which can result in prolonged refining times or disk collisions.
Innovation Solution
A method that optimizes refining energy by continuously adjusting the gap between refiner disks based on vibration measurements, using a direct link between refiner vibrations and specific energy to automatically adapt energy set points, optimizing energy use without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operator intervention is used to adjust refining energy set points, then production costs increase and refining time is prolonged, but disk collisions can be prevented through conservative energy settings
Solution Approach 1:
The refiner system automatically monitors its own vibration levels and adjusts the energy set point accordingly without external intervention. The control system enables the refiner to self-regulate the gap between disks based on real-time vibration feedback, eliminating the need for manual operator adjustment while maintaining safe operating parameters and preventing disk collisions
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where vibration sensors continuously monitor the refiner's vibration levels and feed this information back to the control system. The control system then automatically adjusts the energy set point based on the feedback signal, creating a dynamic response that prevents disk collisions while optimizing refining time
2Reliability
If conservative energy set points are used to prevent disk collisions, then refining time is prolonged, but system safety is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static, pre-set conservative energy parameters to dynamic, real-time energy adjustment. The energy set point is continuously adapted based on actual vibration measurements, allowing the system to operate safely at optimal energy levels rather than consistently conservative levels, thereby reducing refining time while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically changes the energy parameter (energy set point) based on vibration feedback. When vibration levels indicate safe operation, the system increases energy to accelerate refining; when vibration levels approach dangerous thresholds, the system reduces energy to prevent collisions, thereby optimizing both safety and refining time
3Productivity
If automated vibration-based energy optimization is implemented, then refining time and energy consumption are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment operations with an automated control system that uses vibration sensing and electronic control. This substitution eliminates the need for physical operator intervention while implementing sophisticated energy optimization through electronic feedback loops, achieving reduced refining time despite increased control system complexity
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
Reduces refining time and energy consumption while preventing disk collisions, achieving efficient refining by automatically adjusting energy levels to match the changing physico-chemical properties of the fiber composition.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a vibration of the refiner, to obtain a corresponding vibration signal which depends on the gap
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a method of optimization of the refining energy supplied by a refiner to a fiber composition during a refining operation, the refiner comprising at least two refining disks separated from each other by an adjustable gap. The invention also relates to a refining system adapted to the implementation of such a method.