Segmented Processing Plate Collision Points

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mechanical processing technologies for lignocellulose-containing fibrous materials, such as dispersers and refiners, are limited in effectively breaking down contaminant particles and improving pulp quality due to a lack of sufficient collision points and cutting edges, which affects the efficiency of contaminant removal and pulp refinement.

Innovation Solution

The design of processing plates with inclined walls that are dislocated relative to each other in the circumferential direction increases the number of collision points and cutting edges, enhancing the dispersing and defibration processes by increasing the effectiveness of contaminant particle breakdown and pulp intermingle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional disperser plates with standard projecting parts are used, then the device structure is simple, but the number of collision points and cutting edges is insufficient, reducing contaminant removal efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontaminant removal efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing plate structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The projecting part is segmented into multiple functional surfaces: first inclined surface, second inclined surface, third inclined surface, and fourth inclined surface. Each surface creates additional collision points and cutting edges when the rotor and stator plates interact, thereby increasing contaminant removal efficiency without adding separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the processing plate are given different local qualities through the specifically oriented inclined surfaces. The first and second inclined surfaces face opposite directions to handle material flow from different zones, creating localized optimization for contaminant breakdown at various radial positions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If the number of collision points is increased to improve contaminant breakdown, then the processing effectiveness increases, but the structural complexity of the processing plate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulp qualityVSAvoidprocessing plate structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The projecting part is divided into multiple inclined surfaces (first, second, third, fourth) that collectively create numerous collision points and cutting edges. This segmentation allows high manufacturing precision for pulp quality improvement while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure by integrating multiple functions into one component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple functional surfaces that would traditionally require separate components are merged into a single projecting part structure. The first, second, third and fourth inclined surfaces are combined in one integrated element, reducing device complexity while achieving the desired number of collision points for high pulp quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If inclined walls are dislocated in the circumferential direction to increase collision points, then contaminant particle breakdown is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispersing efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing plate manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The inclined walls are segmented into four distinct surfaces with specific orientations. The first and second inclined surfaces face opposite directions, as do the third and fourth surfaces. This segmentation enables enhanced dispersing efficiency through increased collision points while maintaining manufacturability by using standard machining operations for each surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inclined surfaces are arranged asymmetrically in the circumferential direction with specific dislocations. The first and second inclined surfaces face opposite directions, creating an asymmetric pattern that maximizes collision points and cutting edges. This asymmetric arrangement enhances dispersing efficiency while remaining manufacturable through conventional asymmetric machining techniques

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 configuration improves the efficiency of contaminant removal and pulp refinement by increasing collision points and cutting edges, leading to better pulp quality and reduced contamination in paper or board products.

Implementation Method 1

the projecting parts and the cavities in the oppositely positioned stator/rotor are then arranged to intermesh with each other such that the projecting parts in the annular rows in the stator plate extend into the annular open areas in the opposite rotor plate and vice versa as male-female elements. When the disperser discs of the disperser are rotated relative to each other, the pyramidal shaped discrete projecting parts in the stator and rotor cause impacts to the pulp to be dispersed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

effects of these impacts together with effects of internal friction in the pulp detach the contaminant particles from the pulp and break them up into smaller pieces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3927882B1Device for mechanically processing lignocellulose-containing fibrous material
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 VALMET TECH OY
  • EP3927882B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3927882B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3927882B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A processing plate (4, 12) for a device (1) for mechanically processing lignocellulose containing fibrous material. The plate comprises inner and outer peripheries (22, 23) and a processing surface (9, 17) provided with projecting parts (6, 7, 14, 15). At least some of the projecting parts (7, 15) comprise a radially inner part (28) having an inclined ascending wall (29) towards the outer periphery (23) of the plate and a radially outer part (30) having an inclined descending wall (31) towards the outer periphery (23) of the plate (4, 12). The inner and outer parts (28, 30) are radially coupled to each other by a ridge (32) along a coupling line (CL). The walls (29, 31) are mutually connected only partly so that they have in common only a crest section (40) of the ridge (32) which crest section (40) is less than a width of at least one of the wall (29) of the inner part (28) and the wall (31) of the outer part (30) at the coupling line (CL).