Improved Refiner Plate Performance at Lake Superior Paper Industries, 1994 Pulping Conference Proceedings

Karen Hickey, Paul Wasikowski

Improved refiner plate performance has been realized in the secondary refiners at Lake Superior Paper Industries. The improvement is the result of a refiner plate alloy modification program that was initiated at Lake Superior Paper Industries in December of 1992. The objective of the program was to improve refiner plate life by specifically addressing the unique combination of failure modes found in PGW rejects refining. Multiple trials have been made in both the primary and secondary refiners utilizing several alloy modifications. The plate design has remained constant throughout the trial phase. Initial results have shown dramatic increases in plate life in the secondary refiners. Plate life has doubled while pulp quality and refiner stability have been maintained. Plate life is the primary refiners has not been affected to date, but in-depth failure mode analysis has revealed some interesting wear characteristics that will be discussed.