阅读说明：本技术 具有供给凹槽的磨盘段 (Grinding disc segment with supply grooves ) 是由 L·阮 A·辛格哈尔 于 2020-02-05 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开涉及一种具有供给凹槽的磨盘段,所述供给凹槽在所述供给凹槽的第一端部处具有第一宽度,其中所述供给凹槽的所述第一端部设置为更靠近磨盘段的内径,并且所述供给凹槽的第二端部具有第二宽度,其中所述供给凹槽的所述第二端部设置为比所述第一端部更靠近所述外径,并且其中所述第二宽度小于所述第一宽度。据信,所述供给凹槽在所述内径处的宽度增加,结合所述供给凹槽的角度或曲线从供给角度转变到保持角度,使得施加到木质纤维素材料的离心力超过堵塞力,允许在不降低精磨效率的情况下提高磨盘段的液压容量。(The present disclosure relates to a grinding disc segment having a feed groove with a first width at a first end of the feed groove, wherein the first end of the feed groove is arranged closer to an inner diameter of the grinding disc segment and a second end of the feed groove has a second width, wherein the second end of the feed groove is arranged closer to the outer diameter than the first end, and wherein the second width is smaller than the first width. It is believed that the increased width of the feed grooves at the inner diameter, in combination with the angle or curve of the feed grooves transitioning from a feed angle to a hold angle, causes the centrifugal force applied to the lignocellulosic material to exceed the plug force, allowing the hydraulic capacity of the refiner disc segments to be increased without reducing the refining efficiency.)

1. A grinding disc segment for a refiner, the grinding disc segment comprising:

a substrate having:

a radial length;

an inner diameter disposed at a first end of the radial length;

an outer diameter disposed at a second end of the radial length, the outer diameter positioned radially away from the inner diameter along the radial length, the outer diameter being longer than the inner diameter;

a first side extending along the radial length between the inner diameter and the outer diameter;

a second side extending along the radial length between the inner diameter and the outer diameter, the second side disposed distal to the first side; and

a back face disposed opposite the front face along a thickness, the back face and the front face extending between the outer diameter, the inner diameter, the first side edge and the second side edge,

wherein said front face further comprises a zone having a plurality of alternating refining bars and refining grooves, wherein said refining bars engage said substrate, and wherein adjacent refining bars and said substrate define refining grooves between said adjacent refining bars, wherein said zone of alternating refining bars and refining grooves is referred to as a "refining segment",

wherein the refining segment further comprises a zone defining a feed groove having a first width closer to the inner diameter and a second width closer to the outer diameter, wherein the first width is greater than the second width, wherein the feed groove is disposed at a feed angle at the first width, and wherein the feed groove is disposed at a holding angle at the second width.

2. The abrasive disc segment of claim 1 wherein said feed grooves are disposed at a series of angles from said inner diameter to said outer diameter.

3. The abrasive disc segment of claim 1 or 2, wherein said feed groove is curved such that said angle varies continuously along a radial length of said feed groove.

4. A refiner disc segment according to any of claims 1-3, the variation of the angle or curvature of the feed grooves being provided at a position where there is sufficient centrifugal force for a given diameter of the refiner disc segment beyond the normal pulp plugging point.

5. The abrasive disc segment of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said feed groove further comprises an inner feed groove and an outer feed groove, wherein said inner feed groove has said first width disposed closer to said inner diameter of said abrasive disc segment and said outer feed groove has said second width disposed closer to said outer diameter of said abrasive disc segment.

6. The grinding disc segment of claim 5, wherein said feed angle is the angle between a radial line and a line drawn to abut the refining bar ends of at least two adjacent refining bars in the inner feed groove.

7. The grinding disc segment of claim 5, wherein said holding angle is the angle between said radial line and said line drawn to abut said refining bar ends of at least two adjacent refining bars in said outer feed groove.

8. The abrasive disc segment of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said feed angle is in the range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees.

9. The abrasive disc segment of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said feed angle is in the range of 5 degrees to 20 degrees.

10. The abrasive disc segment of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said holding angle is in the range of-3 degrees to-45 degrees.

11. The abrasive disc segment of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said holding angle is in the range of-10 degrees to-25 degrees.

12. The refiner disc segment of any of claims 1 to 11 wherein the feed groove transitions from a feed angle to a hold angle between 20% and 80% of the refiner segment radial length of the disc segment as measured from the point of the refiner segment disposed closest to the inner diameter.

13. An abrasive disc segment pattern comprising:

a zone having a plurality of alternating refining bars and refining grooves, wherein the refining bars engage a substrate, and wherein adjacent refining bars and the substrate define refining grooves between the adjacent refining bars, wherein the zone of alternating refining bars and refining grooves is referred to as a "refining segment",

wherein the refining segment further comprises a zone defining a feed groove having a first width closer to the inner diameter and a second width closer to the outer diameter, wherein the first width is greater than the second width, wherein the feed groove is disposed at a feed angle at the first width, and wherein the feed groove is disposed at a holding angle at the second width.

14. The pattern of claim 13, wherein the feed grooves are disposed at a range of angles from the inner diameter to the outer diameter.

15. The pattern of claim 13 or 14, wherein the feed groove is curved such that the angle varies continuously along a radial length of the feed groove.

16. The pattern of any one of claims 13 to 15, the variation in the angle or curvature of the feed groove being provided at a location where there is sufficient centrifugal force for a given diameter of the refiner disc segment beyond a normal pulp plugging point.

17. A method for refining lignocellulosic material, the method comprising:

pumping feed material into a refiner, wherein the refiner has a "feed-groove-disc segment" comprising:

a zone having a plurality of alternating refining bars and refining grooves, wherein the refining bars engage a substrate, and wherein adjacent refining bars and the substrate define refining grooves between the adjacent refining bars, wherein the zone of alternating refining bars and refining grooves is referred to as a "refining segment",

wherein the refining segment further comprises a region defining a feed groove having a first width closer to the inner diameter and a second width closer to the outer diameter, wherein the first width is greater than the second width, wherein the feed groove is disposed at a feed angle at the first width, and wherein the feed groove is disposed at a holding angle at the second width; and

refining the feed material with the feed groove refiner disc segments.

2. Field of the invention

The present disclosure relates generally to low consistency refining and, more particularly, to a refiner disc segment for low consistency refiners configured to separate, develop and cut lignocellulosic material.

3. Correlation technique

Refiners typically separate, develop and cut lignocellulosic material into fibers to impart certain mechanical and physical properties to the fibers suitable for use in pulp, paper, board, building materials, packaging materials, liquid absorbing filler materials and other products.

Refiners typically comprise two or more opposite refiner elements. Each assembly has a raised refining bar pattern on the refining side. The grooves separate adjacent finishing bars. Typically, these refining assemblies are circular discs, annular discs, or nested conical frustums configured to rotate about a common axis. Each refiner element may comprise a number of ring segments bolted to a backing structure to form a refiner disc, a refiner ring disc or a refiner cone frustum. The refining sides of the opposing refiner assemblies face each other to define a narrow refining gap separating the opposing refiner assemblies. At least one of the refining assemblies is a rotor configured to rotate about an axis.

Generally, refiners may be characterized as high consistency refiners ("HCR") or low consistency refiners ("LCR"). LCR is commonly used for refining pulp. Pulp is a mixture of fibers (wood or non-wood) in water, typically with a consistency of 1.5% to 8%. The pulp may contain other additives. Mill operators typically use low consistency refining to mechanically fibrillate pulp fibers and cut the pulp fibers to a desired quality. The refined material is then usually converted into different types of paper and/or additives.

As the rotor refining assembly rotates, the operator pumps cellulosic fibers or other feed material into the refiner and through the refining gap. Cellulosic fibers are generally tubular structures comprising a number of concentric layers called "webs" or "fiber walls". Each flake comprises finer structural components called "fibrils", which are bonded to each other to form the flake. As the rotor rotates, the bars and grooves on opposing refiner elements overlap in sequence. Typical low consistency rotor refiner assemblies rotate in the range of about 325 revolutions per minute ("rpm") 1,000 rpm. The pulp consistency may be from about 1.5% (i.e., pulp and other solids concentrations of about 1.5 units per hundred units of water) to about 8%.

The opposite bars and grooves, which overlap one another in sequence, compress alternately and allow the pulp to expand in the refining gap. This rapid alternating compression and expansion forms a fibrous mat. Refining occurs mainly in the fibre mat. Friction delaminates the fibers and wears the fibrils making up the sheet, greatly increasing the surface area of the fibers. This in turn contributes to the strength of the paper or other product made from the fibre pulp. In other words, the forceful movement of the feed relative to adjacent feeds in the fiber mat significantly contributes to the development, separation, and cutting of the fibers. This is called "primary refining".

Pulp mills facing increased production demands often have limited resources to invest in other equipment. This forces many pulp mill operators to run refiners beyond refiner capacity limits. For refiners, this is a function of the pulp consistency and the flow rate of lignocellulosic material through the refiner. Because the consistency of pulp is often limited by the system, the desire to increase production capacity often results in the operator increasing the flow rate of lignocellulosic material through the refiner beyond the design capacity of the refiner.

In the past, the step of increasing the flow rate of lignocellulose by increasing the hydraulic capacity of the refiner disc system was at the expense of refining efficiency. Traditionally, designers have attempted to increase hydraulic capacity by using two different types of supply grooves. The first type of feed groove is a radially outward feed groove. A second type of feed groove is a feed groove that is disposed at an angle. While most feed grooves have a constant width across the plate surface, some abrasive disc segments have feed grooves that narrow toward the outer diameter at a constant rate.

Background

1. Cross reference to related application

This application claims benefit of the earlier filing date of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/802,117, filed on 6.2.2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Disclosure of Invention

The problem of reduced refining efficiency with a slight increase in hydraulic capacity is solved by using a refiner having a disc segment comprising a feed groove having a first width at the inner diameter ("ID") which is larger than a second width of the feed groove closer to the outer diameter ("OD") than the first width. Furthermore, the feed groove has an angle whereby the angle is a "feed" or "pump" angle at the inner diameter, and a "hold" or "hold" angle near the outer diameter, while shifting by a radial section between the inner and outer diameters. In this manner, it is contemplated that the refiner disc segments according to the exemplary embodiments described herein may increase the hydraulic capacity between opposing refiner disc assemblies while further increasing refining efficiency.

In an exemplary embodiment, the angle varies from the inner diameter to the outer diameter a plurality of times. In other exemplary embodiments, the feed groove is curved such that the angle varies continuously along the radius of the abrasive disc segment. The change in curvature or other angle may be directed to a position where sufficient centrifugal force is achieved for a given diameter of the plate beyond the normal pulp plugging point.

Without being bound by theory, applicants have found that the area of the abrasive disc segments towards the inner diameter is significantly smaller than the area of the abrasive disc segments towards the outer diameter. The area is a function of the square of the radius of the abrasive disc segment. Since the inner diameter is the most constricted portion. The applicant has determined that this is where the blockage is most likely to occur, thus resulting in a low hydraulic capacity.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the supply groove may extend to the outer diameter. Such an embodiment may increase the hydraulic capacity but decrease the refining efficiency. In other exemplary embodiments, the feed groove may terminate before reaching the outer diameter, so that the refining bars pass over the end of the feed groove, thereby placing a physical stop for the lignocellulosic material passing through the feed groove. This allows to place more refining bars at the location where the refining bars have the highest peripheral speed and thus the highest refining efficiency.

Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the increase in the width of the feed grooves at the inner diameter, coupled with the angle or curve of the feed grooves transitioning from the feed angle to the inhibit angle, causes the centrifugal force exerted on the lignocellulosic material to exceed the clogging force, while mounting on the refiner allows the hydraulic capacity of the refiner disc segments to be increased without reducing the refining efficiency. The centrifugal force may ensure that the pulp fed through the feed angle of the feed grooves is fed evenly into and smoothly distributed over the refining surface of the refining plate. The restrained angle feed grooves near the outer diameter retain the lignocellulosic material longer in the outer refining section, thereby ensuring that the lignocellulosic material does not pass through the non-refined refining section (thereby maintaining refining efficiency).

Drawings

The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the disclosed embodiments.

Figure 1A is a perspective view of a low consistency refiner capable of using exemplary disc segments as more fully defined herein.

Figure 1B is a perspective view of a low consistency refiner capable of using exemplary disc segments as more fully defined herein.

Fig. 2 is a front view of an exemplary abrasive disc segment.

Fig. 3 is a front view of an exemplary abrasive disc segment.

Detailed Description

The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments is presented for purposes of illustration and description only and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in any way. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many changes may be made to the invention disclosed in this specification without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Unless otherwise indicated, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of various features and components in accordance with the present disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to better illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

Unless otherwise explicitly stated herein, the following explanation applies to the specification: (a) all terms used herein are to be interpreted as having such a gender or number (singular or plural) as appropriate; (b) as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular terms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: (c) the antecedent "about" applied to the stated range or value denotes an approximation within the deviation of the range or value from the measured value as known or expected in the art; (d) unless otherwise indicated, the words "herein," "above," and "below," and words of similar import, refer to this specification as a whole and not to any particular paragraphs, claims, or other sections; (e) descriptive headings are for convenience only and should not control or affect the meaning or structure of any part of the specification; and (f) or and any is not exclusive, and "including" and "comprising" are not limiting. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to").

References in the specification to "one embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

To the extent necessary to provide descriptive support, the subject matter and/or text of the appended claims is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and any sub-ranges are otherwise intended to be encompassed within the scope hereof. Each separate value within the enumerated range is incorporated into the specification or claims as if each separate value were individually enumerated herein. Where a range of specific values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit or less of the lower limit, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that range or subrange thereof is included herein. All subranges are also included. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges are also included, subject to any specific and specifically excluded limit in the stated range.

It should be noted that some terms used herein are relative terms. For example, the terms "upper" and "lower" are positionally opposite one another, i.e., in a given orientation, the upper component is at a higher elevation than the lower component, but these terms may vary if the device is turned over. The terms "inlet" and "outlet" are relative to a fluid flowing therethrough with respect to a given structure, e.g., fluid flows into the structure through the inlet and out of the structure through the outlet. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" are relative to the direction of fluid flow through the various components, i.e., the direction of fluid flow through an upstream component before flowing through a downstream component.

The terms "horizontal" and "vertical" are used to indicate directions relative to an absolute reference (i.e., the ground plane). However, these terms should not be construed as requiring structures to be absolutely parallel or absolutely perpendicular to each other. For example, the first and second vertical structures need not be parallel to each other. The terms "top" and "bottom" or "base" are used to refer to a position/surface where the top is always higher than the bottom/base relative to an absolute reference (i.e., the earth's surface). The terms "upward" and "downward" are also relative to absolute reference; the upward flow is always against the earth's gravity.

Figure 1A depicts a disc refiner 100 having a first refining assembly 101 disposed opposite a second refining assembly 102. The first refining assembly 101 is a rotor refining assembly that is configured to rotate about a rotation axis C. The second refining assembly 102 is a stator refining assembly. The first refining assembly 101 and the second refining assembly 102 are located within the housing 179. Each refining assembly 101, 102 includes a plurality of refiner disc segments (shown as 105a on the first refining assembly 101 and 105b on the second refining assembly 102) arranged in a ring to form a ring mounted on the backing structure 174. Figure 1A shows the stator side 104 of the housing open about the hinge 183 to better depict the respective refining assemblies 101, 102. However, to operate, the stator side 104 is closed about the hinge 183 and fasteners (not depicted) extend through the respective fastener holes 182 to fixedly join the stator side 104 of the housing to the rotor side 106. When the second refining assembly 102 and the first refining assembly 101 face each other, the second refining assembly 102 and the first refining assembly 101 define a gap between the refining segments 175 of the facing refiner disc segments 105a, 105 b. In the case where the improvement in accuracy is facilitated when discussing the feature on the first refining assembly relative to the facing feature on the second refining assembly, applicant will use "a" to refer to a particular feature on the first refining assembly 101 and "b" to refer to a particular feature on the second refining assembly 102.

Bolts or other fasteners (not depicted) may extend through the fastener holes 167 to engage the abrasive disc segments 105 to the backing structure 174, thereby fixedly engaging the annular segment abrasive disc segments 105 to the backing structure 174.

In the active refiner 100, feed 147 (fig. 1B), which may be a lignocellulosic feed (typically in the form of pulp or wood chips), flows through an opening 181 in the center of the stator refining assembly 102 before encountering the rotor hub 186a or rotor retainer 187a (fig. 1B). The rotor refining assembly 101 typically rotates in the range of 325 to 1,000rpm about the axis of rotation C, throwing the feed 147 radially outward into the refining gap. The crushing bars (225, fig. 2) may break up the feed material 147 before the feed material 147 still flows further through the refining gap and passes through the refining segment 175 defined by the field of alternating refining bars 123 and refining grooves 126 on the opposite disc segments 105a and 105 b. The refined material 147z (fig. 1B) and the portion of the ground material 147y (fig. 1B) exit the refiner 100 through an outlet 188. The operator may then sift out the desired refined material 147z from the partial abrasive material 147y and transfer the partial abrasive material 147y to a second stage refiner (see 100). The operator may chemically treat the portion of abrasive 147y instead of, or in addition to, subjecting the portion of abrasive 147y to further refining.

Fig. 2 depicts a disc segment 205 for refiner 100 (fig. 1A) comprising: a substrate 207 having: a radial length RL; an inner diameter ID disposed at a first end 209 of the radial length RL; an outer diameter OD disposed at a second end 211 of the radial length RL, the outer diameter OD being positioned along the radial length RL distally from the inner diameter ID, the outer diameter OD being longer than the inner diameter ID; a first side 213 extending along the radial length RL between the inner diameter ID and the outer diameter OD; a second side 215 extending along the radial length RL between the inner diameter ID and the outer diameter OD, the second side 215 disposed distal to the first side 213; and a back face 203 disposed opposite the front face 219 along a thickness, the back face 203 and the front face 219 extending between the outer diameter OD, the inner diameter ID, the first side 213 and the second side 215, wherein the front face 219 further comprises a region having a plurality of alternating refining bars 223 and refining grooves 226, wherein the refining bars 223 engage the base 207, and wherein adjacent refining bars 223c, 223d (or 223p and 223q) and the base 207 define refining grooves 226 between adjacent refining bars 223c, 223d, wherein the region (i.e., the field) of alternating refining bars 223 and refining grooves 226 is referred to as a "refining segment" 275, wherein the refining segment 275 further comprises a region defining a feed groove 230, the feed groove 230 having a first width 229 closer to the inner diameter ID and a second width 231 closer to the outer diameter OD, wherein the first width 229 is greater than the second width 231, wherein the feed groove 230 is disposed at the first width 229 at a feed angle θ, and wherein the feed groove 230 is disposed at the second width 231 at a hold angle λ.

The example abrasive disc segment 205 may also include a breaker bar section 228 that includes a wide breaker bar 225 and a wide space 233 between adjacent breaker bars 225. The breaker bar 225 breaks up the incoming feed 247 that conveys the inner diameter ID of the abrasive disc segment 205. The crushing rod 225 may be curved, straight, or disposed at a plurality of angles along the radial length RL of the crushing rod segment 228 of the abrasive disc segment 205. The space 233 between the crushing bar 225 in the crushing bar section 228 and the adjacent crushing bar 225 is wider than the refining bar 223 and the refining groove 226 provided between the adjacent refining bars 223c, 223 d. As the abrasive disc segment 205 rotates in direction R, the angled or curved breaker bar 225, such as those depicted in fig. 2, directs the feed 247 generally toward the first width 229 of the feed groove 230. In the depicted embodiment, abrasive disc segment 205 is configured to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. It should be understood that an exemplary embodiment having a refining pattern that mirrors the refining pattern shown in fig. 2 may be configured to rotate in a clockwise direction. It will be further appreciated that certain exemplary embodiments may lack the breaker bar section 228.

The feed groove 230 is defined by a region along the radial length RL of the disc segment 205 between the base 207 and the ends 223e of the refining bars 223 disposed in series along the radial length RL of the disc segment 205, wherein the first end 233e1 of the first refining bar 223p is located at a first radial length, and wherein the second end 233e2 of the second refining bar 223q is located at a second radial length, wherein the second radial length RL2 is greater than the first radial length RL 1.

The feed angle θ (see fig. 3) is the angle at the intersection between the shortest radial line SL connecting the outer diameter OD to the inner diameter ID and the line 291 drawn to abut the refining bar end 223e of at least two adjacent refining bars 223p, 223q in the inner feed groove 230 c. Lines are imaginary structures depicted for reference. It is envisioned that a radial line extends radially outward from the center of rotation beyond the outer diameter OD of the abrasive disc segment 205. In the exemplary embodiment, abrasive disc segment 205 rotates in direction R. The feed angle θ allows the inner feed groove 230c, which is disposed closer to the inner diameter ID, to push the feed 247 radially outward along the radial length RL and through the disc segment 205 into the refining gap disposed between the opposing disc segments (see fig. 1B).

An exemplary feed angle θ of the inner feed groove 230c may be in the range of 0 to 45 degrees. In certain exemplary embodiments, the supply angle θ of the inner supply groove 230c may be in the range of 5 degrees to 20 degrees. In other exemplary embodiments, the feeding angle θ of the inner feeding groove 230c may be about 13 degrees to about 19 degrees. It should be appreciated that the feed angle θ may vary between the disc segments 205 depending on the size of the disc segments 205, the type of disc segments 205 configured to refine the feed 247, the rate at which the disc is rotated, and the rate at which the feed 247 is introduced into the refiner 100.

The holding angle λ is the angle measured at the intersection between the shortest radial line SL connecting the outer diameter OD to the inner diameter ID and the line 293 drawn to abut the refining bar ends 223e of at least two adjacent refining bars (see 223p, 223q) in the outer feed groove 230 d. The hold angle λ allows the outer feed groove 230d, which is disposed closer to the outer diameter OD, to redirect the feed 247 radially outward along the radial length RL into the more radially outward refining groove 226 and into the refining gap disposed between the opposing disc segments. In this way, the hold angle λ in combination with the direction of rotation R can be considered to prolong the dwell time of the feed 247 in the refining section 275 (compared to the section in the refining section 275 disposed at the feed angle θ).

An exemplary holding angle λ of the outer supply groove 230d may be in the range of-3 degrees to-45 degrees. In certain exemplary embodiments, the holding angle λ of the outer supply groove 230d may be in the range of-10 degrees to-25 degrees. It should be appreciated that the hold angle λ may vary between the disc segments 205 depending on the size of the disc segments 205, the type of disc segments 205 configured to refine the feed 247, the rate at which the disc is rotated, and the rate at which the feed 247 is introduced into the refiner 100. It will be further appreciated that the hold angle λ has an opposite orientation to the feed angle θ; thus, if the supply angle θ is expressed as a positive value, the hold angle λ is expressed as a negative value, and vice versa.

In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary feed groove 230 transitions from the feed angle θ to the hold angle λ between 20% and 80% of the refining segment radial length RRL of the disc segment 205. The refining segment radial length RRL is the length of the refining segment 275. The refining segment radial length RRL may generally be calculated by subtracting the breaker bar segment length BRL from the total radial length RL of the disc segments 205. For example, if the exemplary grinding disc segment 205 has a radial length RL of 508 millimeters ("mm") and a crushing bar segment of 106mm, the exemplary feed groove 230 having a transition at 50% of the refining segment radial length RRL may transition from the feed angle θ to the hold angle λ between 201mm of the refining segment radial length RRL as measured from the inner diameter ID or 307mm of the grinding disc segment radial length RL (i.e., a length that includes the crushing bar segment length BRL). In embodiments where the feed groove 230 is curved or angled multiple times along the refining segment radial length RRL, the feed groove 230 may transition from the feed angle θ to the hold angle at any length of the refining segment radial length, but preferably the transition occurs in or above the upper fifth of the refining segment radial length RRL as measured from the end of the refining segment radial length RRL disposed closer to the inner diameter ID of the disc segment 205.

In certain exemplary embodiments, supply groove 230 may extend to outer diameter OD. Such an embodiment may increase the hydraulic capacity but decrease the refining efficiency. In other exemplary embodiments, the feed groove 230 may terminate before reaching the outer diameter OD, such that the finishing bars 223 pass over the radially outer end of the feed groove 230, thereby placing a physical stop for the feed 247 passing through the feed groove 230. This exemplary embodiment allows to place more refining bars 223 at the position where the refining bars 223 have the highest peripheral speed and thus the highest refining efficiency.

Without being bound by theory, applicants believe that providing a supply groove 230 on the abrasive disc segment 205, wherein the supply groove 230 has a first width 229 disposed closer to the inner diameter ID than a second width 231 and a second width 231 disposed closer to the outer diameter OD than the first width 229, wherein the first width 229 is greater than the second width 231, wherein the supply groove 230 is disposed at the first width 229 at a supply angle θ, and wherein the supply groove 230 is disposed at the second width 231 at a hold angle λ, allows the supply groove 230 to direct the feed 247 substantially through the supply groove 230 when the supply groove 230 is disposed at the supply angle θ while the abrasive disc segment 205 is rotated in the direction R.

The inner diameter ID is shorter than the outer diameter OD. There is less area available for refining on the disc segment 205 around the inner diameter ID than around the outer diameter OD. For example, the breaker bar section 228 may abut the inner diameter ID itself. The breaker bar segment 228 does not substantially contribute to refining; instead, the breaker bar section 228 is designed to break up the larger bulk feed 247 and direct these partially broken bulk feed 247 into the refining section 275. The refining segment 275 may start immediately radially outward of the breaker bar segment 228, but the space available on the base 207 for the refining bars 223 and refining grooves 226 may be further limited by the supply grooves 230, which are conventionally considered as steam discharge channels.

As the usable area decreases, the refining efficiency is limited in the vicinity of the inner diameter ID. By using an exemplary disc segment 205 according to the present disclosure, it is contemplated that the retention angle λ of the outer feed groove 230d and the narrowing of the outer feed groove 230d may reduce the available area of the outer feed groove 230d and force more feed 247 into the refining groove 226 and refining bars 223, thereby increasing the filling of the refining segment 275 near the outer diameter OD. That is, as the feed material moves outward along the radial length RL, the area of the base 207 increases, thereby allowing more refining bars 223 and refining grooves 226 to be placed. In this way, the area of the refining segments 275 increases outward in the radial length RL. It is contemplated that the exemplary feed groove 230 disclosed herein directs more feed 247 into and through the radially distal refining section 275, thereby increasing hydraulic capacity (i.e., feed flow rate) without sacrificing refining efficiency.

In certain exemplary embodiments, abrasive disc segment 205 has a feed groove 230, wherein feed groove 230 is disposed at a series of angles θ - λ from inner diameter ID to outer diameter OD. In an exemplary embodiment, where the feed groove 230 is curved, the angle varies continuously along the radial length RL of the feed groove 230 (e.g., gradually and continuously from the feed angle θ to the hold angle λ). In an exemplary embodiment, the change in the angle or curvature of the feed groove 230 will point to a location where sufficient centrifugal force is achieved for a given diameter of the assembled refiner disc segment 205 beyond the normal pulp plugging point.

Fig. 3 is another exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, wherein the feed groove 230 has a more pronounced transition from the feed angle θ to the hold angle λ as compared to the embodiment shown in fig. 2. In certain exemplary embodiments, the second end of the supply groove (see 231) is disposed at the outer diameter OD. In other exemplary embodiments, the second end of the supply groove (see 231) is disposed radially inward of the outer diameter OD.

It is to be understood that combinations of the disclosed embodiments are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure. Further, while the disc segments 205 shown in fig. 2 and 3 are configured to operate in a disc refiner 100, it will be appreciated that the disc segments and patterns described herein may be used with cone refiners, disc refiners, cylindrical refiners, rotor-stator refiners, counter-rotating refiners, tri-cone refiners, and any other refiner configured to cut, develop, and separate fibrous material using opposing disc segments configured to define a refining gap.

It should also be appreciated that certain example disc segments 205 may include a plurality of refining segments 275, wherein the feed grooves 230 are disposed in the plurality of refining segments 275. For example, the first refining segment may be positioned adjacent to the second refining segment. As a further example, the first refining segment may be positioned radially inward of the second refining segment. As another example, the first refining segment may be positioned laterally of the second refining segment.

An exemplary method for refining lignocellulosic material may comprise: pumping feed material into a refiner, wherein the refiner has a "feed-groove-disc segment" comprising: a zone having a plurality of alternating refining bars and refining grooves, wherein the refining bars engage a base, and wherein adjacent refining bars and the base define refining grooves between the adjacent refining bars, wherein the zone of alternating refining bars and refining grooves is referred to as a "refining zone", wherein the refining zone further comprises a zone defining a feed groove having a first width closer to the inner diameter and a second width closer to the outer diameter, wherein the first width is greater than the second width, wherein the feed groove is disposed at the first width at a feed angle, and wherein the feed groove is disposed at the second width at a holding angle; and refining the feed material with the feed groove refiner disc segments.

An exemplary grinding disc segment for a refiner may comprise: a substrate having: a radial length; an inner diameter disposed at a first end of the radial length; an outer diameter disposed at a second end of the radial length, the outer diameter positioned distally from the inner diameter along the radial length, the outer diameter being longer than the inner diameter; a first side extending along the radial length between the inner diameter and the outer diameter; a second side edge, the second side edge the radial length is in the internal diameter with extend between the external diameter, the second side edge is kept away from the first side edge sets up: and a back face disposed opposite the front face along a thickness, the back face and the front face extending between the outer diameter, the inner diameter, the first side edge and the second side edge, wherein the front face further comprises a region having a plurality of alternating refining bars and refining grooves, wherein the refining bars engage the base, and wherein adjacent refining bars and the base define refining grooves between the adjacent refining bars, wherein the region of alternating refining bars and refining grooves is referred to as a "refining section", wherein the refining section further comprises a region defining a feed groove having a first width closer to the inner diameter and a second width closer to the outer diameter, wherein the first width is greater than the second width, wherein the feed groove is disposed at the first width at a feed angle, and wherein the supply groove is disposed at the second width at a holding angle.

In an exemplary embodiment, the supply grooves are arranged at a series of angles from the inner diameter to the outer diameter. In an exemplary embodiment, the feed groove is curved such that the angle varies continuously along the radial length of the feed groove.

In an exemplary embodiment, the variation in the angle or curvature of the feed groove is provided at a location where there is sufficient centrifugal force for a given diameter of the refiner disc segment beyond the normal pulp plugging point. In an exemplary embodiment, the feed groove further comprises an inner feed groove and an outer feed groove, wherein said inner feed groove has said first width disposed closer to said inner diameter of said abrasive disc segment and said outer feed groove has said second width disposed closer to said outer diameter of said abrasive disc segment.

In an exemplary embodiment, wherein said feed angle is the angle between a radial line and a line drawn to adjoin the refining bar ends of at least two adjacent refining bars in the inner feed groove. In an exemplary embodiment, wherein said holding angle is the angle between said radial line and said line drawn to abut the refining bar ends of at least two adjacent refining bars in said outer feed groove.

In an exemplary embodiment, the feed angle is in the range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees. In an exemplary embodiment, the feed angle is in the range of 5 degrees to 20 degrees. In an exemplary embodiment, the holding angle is in the range of-3 degrees to-45 degrees. In an exemplary embodiment, the holding angle is in the range of-10 degrees to-25 degrees.

In an exemplary embodiment, the feed groove transitions from the feed angle to the hold angle between 20% and 80% of the refining segment radial length of the refiner disc segment as measured from the point of the refining segment located closest to the inner diameter.

An exemplary abrasive disc segment pattern may comprise: a zone having a plurality of alternating refining bars and refining grooves, wherein the refining bars engage a base, and wherein adjacent refining bars and the base define refining grooves between the adjacent refining bars, wherein the zone of alternating refining bars and refining grooves is referred to as a "refining zone", wherein the refining zone further comprises a zone defining a feed groove having a first width closer to the inner diameter and a second width closer to the outer diameter, wherein the first width is greater than the second width, wherein the feed groove is disposed at the first width at a feed angle, and wherein the feed groove is disposed at the second width at a holding angle.

In an exemplary pattern, the supply grooves are arranged at a series of angles from the inner diameter to the outer diameter. In an exemplary pattern, the feed groove is curved such that the angle varies continuously along the radial length of the feed groove. In an exemplary pattern, the variation in the angle or curvature of the feed grooves is provided at a location where there is sufficient centrifugal force for a given diameter of the refiner disc segment beyond the normal pulp plugging point.

In an exemplary pattern, the feed grooves further comprise an inner feed groove and an outer feed groove, wherein the inner feed groove has the first width disposed closer to the inner diameter of the abrasive disc segment and the outer feed groove has the second width disposed closer to the outer diameter of the abrasive disc segment.

In an exemplary pattern, wherein the feed angle is the angle between a radial line and a line drawn to adjoin the refining bar ends of at least two adjacent refining bars in the inner feed groove. In an exemplary pattern, wherein said holding angle is the angle between said radial line and said line drawn to abut the refining bar ends of at least two adjacent refining bars in said outer feed groove.

In an exemplary pattern, the feed angle is in the range of 0 to 45 degrees. In an exemplary pattern, the feed angle is in the range of 5 to 20 degrees. In an exemplary pattern, the hold angle is in the range of-3 degrees to-45 degrees. In an exemplary pattern, the hold angle is in the range of-10 degrees to-25 degrees.

In an exemplary pattern, the feed groove transitions from the feed angle to the hold angle between 20% and 80% of the refining segment radial length of the refiner disc segment as measured from the point of the refining segment located closest to the inner diameter.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention.