#11 -EPISODE 11

The PITCH!

Compression refining is a promising alternative to conventional refining. This new treatment allows the properties of papers to be developed over a wide range through the compression of the fibres alone, with remarkable economic and environmental benefits!

The development of the mechanical properties of papers results from the treatment of the pulp in a refiner. The pulp passes through the gap between discs attached to a rotor and a stator. This treatment generates a succession of shearing and compression forces which will soften the fibres and thus increase their bonding surface, and hence the resulting mechanical properties. The problem is that the shear forces cut the fibres and tear off small fine elements from the fibre wall, which considerably slow down the dewatering of the pulp and thus the speed of the paper machines and their production.
Compression refining is therefore an alternative to conventional refining. This new treatment allows the properties of the paper to be developed solely by compressing the fibres. The lower generation of fine elements leads above all to a much better drainability, which leads to possible increases in production as well as lower energy consumption (less vacuum to drain water during the sheet forming on the table) and less gas to dry the paper in the drying section.

The advantages are therefore numerous:

• Increased production speed
• Lower energy costs: Electricity for the vacuum pumps / Gas for the drying cylinders
• Reduction of chemical products
• Lower raw material costs
• Improved yield in the subsequent recycling of the paper produced with this process

Contact us to find out more and carry out tests adapted to your production line...

Project Leader : Bruno CARRE