Andritz Sprout-Bauer, Inc.

Sprout-Bauer, Inc.

Gary W Allshouse

Gregory R Kohler

William F Lahner, Iii

Chester D Fisher

Heinz O Backhust

Randall K Hopkins

Randall L Musselman

James E Cawthern, Jr

The invention is a method and apparatus for calibrating a gap sensing probe (12) in a refiner having first (76) and second (80) grinding plates facing each other and supported by respective first and second plate holders, each grinding plate having a face (78, 82) defining a grinding gap (86). The gap measuring device, which is secured within one of the plates, includes a sensor probe (12) for measuring gap width data having a substantially cylindrical tip (14) with a flat frontal portion (16), an attached conical portion (18) and a longitudinal axis (20) therebetween. A cable (22) is electrically connected to the conical portion of the probe, for transmitting the gap width data. A protective sleeve (24) can be positioned around and contact the cylindrical tip, wherein the flat frontal portion of the tip is exposed through the sleeve. A substantially crucible-shaped ceramic housing (28) having a closed front (30), an open back (32) is provided, wherein the flat frontal portion of the tip abuts the front of the housing and the cable protrudes from the rear of the housing. A threaded mounting adapter (42) is situated around the housing and an adapter plug (60) is situated within the mounting adapter. The housing, the mounting adapter, and the adapter plug have flanges (38, 48, 68) and shoulders (52) which interact so as to prevent movement of the housing. In the preferred embodiment, the probe is calibrated from the rear of the housing by turning the probe by the threaded mounting adapter. The calibration can be completed without actually measuring the plate gap width by rotating the probe through threads which are of a known and predetermined width.

Probe assembly mounting for a grinding machine

A multi-stage process, and apparatus for carrying out the process, are provided for refining lignocellulose containing material at high consistency. The lignocellulose material is pretreated to form a mixture of the lignocellulose material and pressurized steam conveyed via the pressure of the pressurized steam to a first refiner, wherein the lignocellulose material is conveyed mechanically into a first refining zone within the first refiner while causing the pressurized steam in the mixture to pass in reverse direction to the lignocellulose to a steam venting outlet to vent the steam from the first refiner. The lignocellulose material fed into the first refining zone is subjected to refining action thereby producing a mixture of partially refined lignocellulose material and pressurized steam developed during the refining action. This mixture of partially refined lignocellulose material and pressurized steam is conveyed via the pressure of the pressurized steam to a second refiner, wherein the partially refined lignocellulose material in the mixture is conveyed mechanically into a second refining zone in said second refiner while causing the pressurized steam in said mixture to pass in reverse direction to the lignocellulose material to a steam venting outlet to vent the steam from the second refiner. The lignocellulose material fed into the second refining zone is subjected to refining action thereby producing a mixture of further refined lignocellulose material and steam developed during said refining action. The further refined lignocellulose material is discharged from the second refiner and separated from the steam developed during the refining action.

Apparatus for pressurized refining of lignocellulose material

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Muncy, PA, United States of America

Gary W Allshouse