In the pulp and paper industry, the refining process plays a crucial role. It is important for producing high-quality paper and other products. In the process of refining, refiner plates are at the center to focus on. There are several products like Valmet Refiner Plates, Parason Refiner Plates, and other trustworthy prestigious companies manufacturing and supplying good quality refiner plates.
Refiner plates play a pivotal role in fiber development and maintaining consistency in the pulp and paper industry. In this blog, we will see the importance and application of refiner plates while focusing on industry leaders and top manufacturers of refiner plates, such as Parason refiner plates, and Valmet refiner plates.
Refiner Plates
The refiner plates are specialized components used in refiners to enhance the quality of pulp. Refiner plates consist of a series of bars and grooves that create shearing action on the pulp and improve the fiber properties. It can improve the strength, flexibility, and bonding ability of the pulp fibers. The outcome of the refining process significantly depends on the design and the material of the refiner plates.
Application of Valmet Refiner Plates
Valmet Refiner plates used in various stages of pulp processing to achieve desired fiber characteristics include the following applications:
- Stock Preparation: It helps in enhancing fiber fibrillation and fiber-to-fiber bonding in stock preparation.
- Mechanical Pulping: In mechanical pulping the refiner plates help in improving the mechanical properties of fibers.
- Chemical Pulping: Refiner plates are used in refining chemical pulps to enhance strength and other properties.
- Recycling: One of the applications of refiner plates includes processing recycled fibers to restore their quality for reuse.
Valmet refiner plates are widely recognized for their superior performance in these applications. It provides consistent and efficient refining results.
Manufacturing of Valmet Refiner Plates
Valmet refiner plates are manufactured in Valmet’s state-of-the-art facility with modern technology and precision. Let’s have a look at the general manufacturing process of refiner plates which involves precise engineering and high-quality materials to ensure durability and effectiveness.
The key steps in the manufacturing process of refiner plates include:
- Design and create a blueprint that optimizes the bar and groove pattern for specific refining needs.
- Selecting a material that is robust and can withstand intense mechanical stress.
- The manufacturing of refiner plates is then processed with either casting, welding, or machining processes.
- The manufactured refiner plate is finished and rigorously tested to ensure the plate's quality meets industry standards and performance criteria.
Other Manufacturers of Refiner Plates
There are several manufacturers in the production of paper mill machinery and refiner plates. Some of the top names as pulp and paper machine manufacturer in the world are mentioned below.
- Parason
- ANDIRTZ
- Voith
- AFT Global
Let’s have a look at each of the above-mentioned top paper mill machine manufacturers in the world.
Note that all the information provided here is taken from the official websites of the respective manufacturers. For detailed and exact information about the company, manufacturing process, cost, quality, and delivery of the refiner plates contact here.
Valmet Refiner Plates:
Known for their innovative designs and superior material quality, Valmet refiner plates offer excellent wear resistance and refining efficiency. Their products are trusted by pulp and paper mills worldwide for their reliability and performance.
Valmet Refiner Plates, known as Valmet Refiner Segments as per their official nomenclature by the company are used to enhance low consistency, as refining is crucial for board and paper machines to meet their performance and production objectives.
The design and pattern of the Valmet Refiner Plates differ from mill to mill as per the goals, it influences the refining efficiency. The significant highlights of the Valmet refiner plate as per the claim of the company are as follows.
- Lighter and Safer: 75% lighter than conventional cast refiner segments
- Reduced energy usage
- Enhanced fiber quality
- Less equipment downtime Greater capacity
- Lower refining intensity
- Extended plate life
- Plug-resistant plate patterns
Valmet Refiner Segments – Pro Safe are manufactured using a unique casting process that allows for overhung designs, boosting performance. This results in increased refining capacity with lower intensity and extended plate life. Click here to know more about Valmet refiner plates.
Parason Refiner Plates:
One of the leading names in paper mill machine manufacturing and supplying is Parason in many countries. Parason Refiner Plates are acclaimed for their precision engineering, durability, and cost-effectiveness making them a popular choice among paper machine manufacturers.
According to the company, they have sold over 5000 refiner plates and cover around 70% of the Indian paper industry market.
Parason Refiner Plates are designed to optimize the refining process in the pulp and paper industry, offering significant advancements in efficiency, energy savings, and fiber quality. The VGD SAS Disk and Tackles, featuring Variable Groove Design (VGD) and Small Angle Sector (SAS), are central to Parason's refining solutions. Through comprehensive refining audits, Parason focuses on studying existing systems, selecting suitable designs and alloys, providing on-site field services, and offering specialized training to ensure optimal performance and longevity of refining equipment.
Key Benefits and Features:
- Energy Efficiency: Reduced energy consumption, with power savings ranging from 6 kW to 22 kW per hour.
- Enhanced Plate Life: Extended lifespan through precise design and edge retention properties.
- Superior Fiber Quality: Consistent fiber treatment with minimal damage, ensuring better paper strength.
- Customizable Solutions: Available in various sizes and designs, including high-efficiency welded and milled plates, suitable for different refining applications.
Parason's commitment to innovation is evident in its advanced metallurgy, specialized bar designs, and the use of cutting-edge CNC and laser technologies, making its refiner plates a reliable choice for mills aiming to enhance productivity and reduce operational costs. Click here to know more about Parason refiner plates.
Voith Refiner Plates:
Voith is a German family-owned company with a rich history in the paper industry. Renowned for its dedication to research and development, Voith continually introduces new technologies to enhance the performance and reduce the environmental impact of paper manufacturing.
Voith has installed around 1,050 refiners since 2000, establishing itself as a leader in refining technology. Their latest innovation, the Voith InfibraFiner, represents the pinnacle of over 60 years of research and development. This state-of-the-art refiner combines cutting-edge technology, modern industrial design, and digital advancements to deliver superior fiber treatment. Notably, the InfibraFiner consumes less energy, offers higher hydraulic capacity, and extends the service life of refiner fillings, making it a more sustainable option.
The InfibraFiner, when paired with Voith's Pluralis refiner fillings, enables gentle refining with reduced energy consumption and boosts production capacity by up to 28% compared to conventional refiners. The machine's innovative design, which includes an integrated gearbox and up to 15 I/O-Link sensors, ensures immediate response through direct refiner control. The optional "Digital Generation (DG) Package" further enhances the machine's efficiency by providing real-time data on machine status, performance, and maintenance, allowing for proactive management and significant energy savings.
Key Advantages:
- Higher Runability: Increased production capacity and efficiency.
- Lower Maintenance Cost: Proactive monitoring and control reduce downtime and maintenance expenses.
- Lower Energy Consumption: Advanced control systems and design features lead to significant energy savings.
- Enhanced Safety: Integrated sensors and digital controls ensure safe and reliable operation.
ANDRITZ Refiner Plates:
ANDRITZ refiner plates are a breakthrough technology aimed at reducing energy consumption and enhancing fiber quality. The latest advancements in these plates include innovative designs and high-performance metal alloys, leading to notable energy savings, superior fiber quality, and longer plate lifespan, thereby offering significant benefits to MDF customers.
ANDRITZ offers custom-designed refiner plates that optimize productivity and quality at the lowest overall cost. Their team of application and product experts conducts audits of your refiners, providing recommendations that improve your cost structure and product quality. With technologies such as Quantum technology, Spiral technology, and Rotor caps, ANDRITZ ensures that your refining processes are efficient, cost-effective, and deliver the highest quality fiber.
Key Benefits:
- Lower Energy Consumption: Innovative designs and alloys lead to reduced energy usage.
- Improved Fiber Quality: Advanced technology enhances the consistency and quality of the fiber.
- Extended Plate Life: Durable materials and designs increase the lifespan of refiner plates.
- Customized Solutions: Tailored designs meet specific production requirements, optimizing performance and cost.
AFT Global Refiner Plates
AFT has a long history, built from the acquisition of many companies. AFT global refiner plates are known as Finebar. The Finebar refiner plates revolutionized low-consistency refining technology when introduced 20 years ago, and continuous R&D keeps pushing the boundaries today.
Finebar plates, manufactured with patented technology, offer significant advantages over traditional plates made by casting, welding, or milling. They are laser-cut, assembled, and diffusion-bonded, producing precise patterns with exceptional strength and durability. These plates enable ultra-low refining intensities, with bar widths as narrow as 1 mm. The combination of narrow, strong bars and rectangular grooves provides higher hydraulic capacity than conventional plates.
This advanced and ever-evolving manufacturing process is ideal for all fiber types and compatible with any low-consistency disc refiner. Finebar patterns are customized for each customer to meet specific mill goals, such as:
- Improved pulp quality
- Lower energy consumption
- Extended plate life
- Breakthrough performance
Conclusion
In the pulp & paper business, refiner plates are essential parts that are vital to refining process optimization. With their superior refiner plates, top companies have raised the bar and guaranteed better fiber quality and operational effectiveness. Parason, ANDRITH, Voith, AFT Global, and Valmet refiner plates are great options for your refining needs, whether you're searching for outstanding performance or cost-effectiveness.
Industry professionals can improve their pulp and paper production processes by making well-informed decisions based on their awareness of the significance, use, and manufacturing of refiner plates.
