Abstract
A system and method of producing MFC (micro fibrillated cellulose), which system comprises at least one refiner. The refiner comprises a mechanism for refining the stock in at least two refining stages, advantageously at least two refiners for refining the stock in at least two refining stages, and that the refiners comprise a number of refining bars. The refining bars have width of 0.5-2.0 mm, height less than 7 mm and groove width of 0.5-3 mm. The method comprises at least two refining stages, in which the pulp stock is refined in at least one refining stage in consistency of 3-5%, and the method comprises at least one screening stage in at least one screen in consistency of 0.5-5%.
Claims
1. System of producing MFC (micro fibrillated cellulose), which system comprises at least one refiner, which refiner comprises means for refining a stock in at least two refining stages, advantageously at least two refiners for refining the stock in at least two refining stages, and the refiners comprise a number of refining bars, which refining bars have width of 0.5-2.0 mm, height less than 7 mm, and groove width 0.5-3 mm, which system further comprises at least one screen for screening the stock and each of the screens comprise a screen basket, which screen basket advantageously has one of holes with a diameter of 0.02-0.4 mm or slots with a width less than 0.2 mm, the system further comprising a temperature control device for adjusting the temperature of the stock to within a temperature range of 40-70° C. and that the temperature of the stock is configured to be controlled at at least one of the inlet or outlet side of the refiner.
2. System according to claim 1, wherein at least two refiners are located in series in the system.
3. System according to claim 1, wherein at least two refiners are located parallel in the system.
4. System according to claim 1, wherein the refiners comprise a rotor, a stator and that the rotor has blade angle in range of +/−50° and that the stator has blade angle in range of +/−30°.
5. System according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises a chemical and/or enzyme preparation device connected to a device of the system located before at least one of the refiners.
6. System according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises at least one reject line and that the reject line is connected from the screen to the refiner feed, advantageously 20-40% of the refiner feed flow is flown from the screen.
7. System according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises at least one recirculation line back to a refiner feed, advantageously 10-50% of refiner feed flow is from the recirculation line.
8. System according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured to be operated as a continuous process.
9. Method of producing MFC, which method comprises at least two refining stages, in which a pulp stock is refined in at least one refining stage in consistency of 3-5%, and which method comprises at least one screening stage in at least one screen in consistency of 0.5-5%, wherein in the method temperature of the stock is adjusted to temperature range of 40-70° C. by a temperature control device and that the temperature of the stock is controlled at either in inlet or outlet side of the refining.
10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the refining of the pulp stock is mechanochemical refining.
11. Method according to claim 9, wherein the method is operated as a continuous process.
12. Method according to claim 9, wherein the method comprises a thickening stage for thickening the stock to storage consistency.
13. Method according to claim 9, wherein in the method at least 50% of the stock flow flowing in a refining loop provided by a recirculation line
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] In the following the invention is explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing to which the invention is not to be narrowly limited.
[0046] In FIG. 1 is shown schematically an advantageous example of a system of producing micro fibrillated cellulose.
[0047] In FIGS. 2A-2B is shown schematically advantageous examples of a system of producing micro fibrillated cellulose, in which refining comprises two refining stages.
[0048] In FIG. 3 is shown schematically an advantageous example of a system of producing micro fibrillated cellulose with two refining stages with an intermediate screening stage.
[0049] In FIG. 4 is shown schematically an advantageous example of a system of producing micro fibrillated cellulose.
[0050] In FIG. 5 is shown schematically an advantageous example of a temperature control system of a system of producing micro fibrillated cellulose.
[0051] In FIGS. 6A-6E is shown schematically advantageous examples of temperature controls systems of a system of producing micro fibrillated cellulose.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0052] During the course of the following description like numbers and signs will be used to identify like elements according to the different views which illustrate the invention and its advantageous examples. In the figure some repetitive reference signs have been omitted for clarity reasons.
[0053] In FIG. 1 is shown schematically an example of a system 10 and the method of producing micro fibrillated cellulose (MFC). The pulp stock is slushed in a pulper 11 in consistency of 4-6% and thereafter optionally the pulp stock is fed to a first dump tower 12A. Optionally, the processing of the pulp stock can be enhanced by enzyme addition from a chemical and/or enzyme preparation device 21 in the pulper 11 or in the optional first dump tower 12A. By this energy savings can be enhanced using the enzyme as catalysator for the processing. After this stage the pulp stock is guided directly or via an optional refiner feed tank 13 to refining of the pulp stock in the refiner 14 in consistency of 3-5%. There is at least two refining stages. In case the optional refiner feed tank 13 is used there can be recirculation RC from the refiner 14 back to the refiner feed tank 13. After the refining in the refiner 14 the pulp stock is guided directly or via an optional intermediate tank 15 and/or optional dilution 16 to a screen 17. The pulp stock is screened in the screen 17 in consistency of 1-2% or in consistency of 3-5%. Reject flow R from the screening in the screen 17 can be returned to refining in the refiner 14 via the optional refiner feed tank 13 or guided directly to the refiner 14 or guided to separate refining stage. After screening the accept flow forwards is guided to an optional thickening stage in a thickening device 18 or directly to a second dump tower 12B. The reject flow can also be returned to the reining after the thickening. After refining the accept flow is optionally thickened to storage consistency and thereafter guided to the second dump tower 12B. The water of thickening stage can be treated by a water treatment device 22 with water treatment equipment 23, for example by a dissolved air flotation (DAF) or by ultra-filtering.
[0054] In the system 10 of the examples of the FIGS. 2A-2B the refining comprises two refining stages, first refining stage 14A and second refining stage 14B, which are in series, FIG. 2A or parallel, FIG. 2B. In both examples the pulp stock is slushed in a pulper 11 in consistency of 4-6% and thereafter the pulp stock is fed to a dump tower 12. After this stage the pulp stock is guided directly or via an optional refiner feed tank 13 to refining stages 14A, 14B of the pulp stock in consistency of 3-5%. In the example of FIG. 2A, in which the refining stages 14A, 14B are in series, there is a recirculation line RC from the second refining stage 14B its feed. In the example of FIG. 2B, in which the refining stages 14A, 14B are in parallel, there is a first recirculation line RC1 from the first refining stage 14B its feed or to the optional refiner feed tank 13. There is also a second recirculation line RC2 from the second refining stage 14B to its feed. After the refining in the refiner 14 the pulp stock is guided forwards as explained in connection with the example of FIG. 1.
[0055] In FIG. 3 is shown example of the system 10 with two refining stages 14A, 14B with an intermediate screening stage 17A. The pulp stock is slushed in a pulper 11 in consistency of 4-6% and thereafter optionally the pulp stock is fed to a first dump tower 12A. Optionally, the processing of the pulp stock can be enhanced by enzyme addition from a chemical and/or enzyme preparation 21 in the pulper 11 or in the optional first dump tower 12A. After this stage the pulp stock is guided directly or via an optional refiner feed tank 13 to refining stages 14A, 14B of the pulp stock in consistency of 3-5%. In the example there is a recirculation line RC from the first refining stage 14A its feed or to the optional refiner feed tank 13. After the refining in the first refining stage 14A the pulp stock is guided to the intermediate screening stage in an intermediate screen 17A. The pulp stock is screened in the intermediate screen 17A in consistency of 1-2% or in consistency of 3-5%. Reject flow R from the intermediate screening in the intermediate screen 17A can be returned to first refining stage 14A. After the intermediate screening stage 17A the accept flow forwards is guided to a second refining stage 14B. After the second refining stage 14B the pulp stock is guided directly or via an optional dilution 16 and/or via an optional screening stage 17B in an optional second screen 17B. The pulp stock is screened in the optional second screen 17B in consistency of 1-2% or in consistency of 3-5%. Reject flow R from the optional second screening 17B can be returned to the second refining stage 14B. After the second screening stage 17B the accept flow forwards is guided to an optional thickening stage in a thickening device 18 or directly to a second dump tower 12B. After refining the accept flow is optionally thickened to storage consistency and thereafter guided to the second dump tower 12B. The water of thickening stage can be treated by a water treatment device 22 with water treatment equipment 23, for example by a dissolved air flotation (DAF) or by ultra-filtering.
[0056] In FIG. 4 is shown example of the system 10 with screening 17. The pulp stock is slushed in a pulper 11 in consistency of 4-6% and thereafter optionally the pulp stock is fed to a first dump tower 12A. Optionally, the processing of the pulp stock can be enhanced by enzyme addition from a chemical and/or enzyme preparation 21 in the pulper 11 or in the optional first dump tower 12A. After this stage the pulp stock is guided directly or via an optional refiner feed tank 13 to refining 14 of the pulp stock in consistency of 3-5%. In the example there is a recirculation line RC from the refining 14 to the optional refiner feed tank 13 or to the dump tower 12A. After the refining in the refining 14 the pulp stock is guided to a tank 15 and thereafter to a dilution stage 15 and then guided in consistency of 1-2% to the screening stage in a screen 17. Reject flow R from the screening in the screen 17 can be returned to the optional refiner feed tank 13 or to the refining stage 14. After the screening stage 17 the accept flow forwards is guided to a thickening stage in a thickening device 18 and thereafter to the second dump tower 12B. The water of thickening stage can be treated by a water treatment device 22 with water treatment equipment 23, for example by a dissolved air flotation (DAF) or by ultra-filtering.
[0057] In FIG. 5 is shown an example of a temperature control system 20 of a system and a method of producing micro fibrillated cellulose (MFC). In the example of the FIG. 6 the pulp stock is fed from a feed tank 13 to refining 14 and thereafter to a tank 15, for example a discharge tank. The temperature of the pulp stock is controlled by a temperature control device 25 located in a recirculation line RC from outlet of the refining 14 to the feed tank 13. The temperature control device 25 can be for example a heat exchanger or an absorption pump temperature control system. By the temperature control the temperature of pulp stock is adjusted to temperature range 40-70° C. Thus, typically the temperature control device 25 cools of the pulp stock in the system.
[0058] In FIGS. 6A-6E is shown schematically advantageous examples of temperature controls systems 20 of a system 10 of producing micro fibrillated cellulose. Preferably at least 50% of the stock flow flowing in the refining loop is configured to also flow in the temperature control system flow, more preferably at least 75% of the stock flow flowing in the refining loop is configured to also flow in the temperature control system flow.
[0059] In FIG. 6A is shown an example of a temperature control system 20 of a system and a method of producing micro fibrillated cellulose (MFC). In the example of the FIG. 6A the pulp stock is fed from a feed tank 13 to a temperature control device 25 and therefrom to refining 14 and thereafter to a tank 15, for example a discharge tank. There is also a recirculation line RC from outlet of the refining 14 to the feed tank 13. The temperature control system 20 comprises at least one temperature control device 25, which is advantageously a heat exchanger, for example a tube-type heat exchanger either concurrent or countercurrent heat exchanger or a spiral-type heat exchanger or a tube and shell -type heat exchanger or an absorption pump temperature control device.
[0060] In FIG. 6B is shown an example of a temperature control system 20 of a system and a method of producing micro fibrillated cellulose (MFC). In the example of the FIG. 6B the pulp stock is fed from a feed tank 13 to refining 14 and therefrom to a temperature control device 25 and thereafter to a tank 15, for example a discharge tank. There is also a recirculation line RC from outlet of the temperature control device 25 to the feed tank 13. The temperature control system 20 comprises at least one temperature control device 25, which is advantageously a heat exchanger, for example a tube-type heat exchanger either concurrent or countercurrent heat exchanger or a spiral-type heat exchanger or a tube and shell -type heat exchanger or an absorption pump temperature control device.
[0061] In FIG. 6C is shown an example of a temperature control system 20 of a system and a method of producing micro fibrillated cellulose (MFC). In the example of the FIG. 6C the pulp stock is fed from a feed tank 13 to refining 14 and thereafter to a tank 15, for example a discharge tank. The feed tank 13 is connected to a temperature control device 25. There is also a recirculation line RC from outlet of the refiner 14 to the feed tank 13. The temperature control system 20 comprises at least one temperature control device 25, which is advantageously a heat exchanger, for example a tube-type heat exchanger either concurrent or countercurrent heat exchanger or a spiral-type heat exchanger or a tube and shell -type heat exchanger or an absorption pump temperature control device.
[0062] In FIG. 6D is shown an example of a temperature control system 20 of a system and a method of producing micro fibrillated cellulose (MFC). In the example of the FIG. 6D the pulp stock is fed from a feed tank 13 to refining 14 and thereafter to a tank 15, for example a discharge tank. The feed tank 13 is provided with a temperature control device 25. There is also a recirculation line RC from outlet of the refiner 14 to the feed tank 13. The temperature of the feed tank 13 can be controlled using as the temperature control device 25 for example a blower or a fan or temperature-controlled mantel of the feed tank 13 or there can be coil/-s or other temperature control element/-s inside the feed tank 13.
[0063] In FIG. 6E is shown an example of a temperature control system 20 of a system and a method of producing micro fibrillated cellulose (MFC). In the example of the FIG. 6E the pulp stock is fed from a feed tank 13 to refining in a refiner 14 and thereafter to a tank 15, for example a discharge tank. The tank 15 is connected to a temperature control device 25. There is also a recirculation line RC from outlet of the tank 15 to the feed tank 13. The temperature control device 25 can be for example a heat exchanger or an absorption pump temperature control system. The tank 15 may also be optionally provided with an additional temperature control device 25. The temperature of the tank 15 can be controlled using as the additional temperature control device 25 for example a blower or a fan or temperature-controlled mantel of the tank 15 or there can be coil/-s or other temperature control element/-s inside the tank 15.
[0064] In the description in the foregoing, although some functions have been described with reference to certain features and examples, those functions may be performable by other features and examples whether described or not. Although features have been described with reference to the certain examples, those features may also be present in other examples whether described or not.
[0065] Above only some advantageous examples of the invention have been described to which examples the invention is not to be narrowly limited, and many modifications and alterations are possible within the invention.
Reference Signs Used in the Drawing
[0066] 10 system
[0067] 11 pulper
[0068] 12, 12A, 12B dump tower
[0069] 13 refiner feed tank
[0070] 14, 14A, 14B refining
[0071] 15 intermediate tank
[0072] 16 dilution device
[0073] 17, 17A, 17B screening
[0074] 18 thickening device
[0075] 20 temperature control system
[0076] 21 chemical and/or enzyme preparation device
[0077] 22 water treatment device
[0078] 23 water treatment equipment
[0079] 25 temperature control device
[0080] R, R1, R2 reject flow
[0081] RC, RC1, RC2 recirculation
