Metso has recently introduced a revolutionary low consistency refining concept with the new OptiFiner Pro refiner.
Unlike conventional refiners, OptiFiner Pro feeds the stock evenly across the bars directly in the refining zone where fiber treatment occurs. All of the stock is treated equally, providing a higher refiner loadability and better energy efficiency. Tremendous flexibility in operation is gained as well as easier installation owing to the smaller physical size. In its optimal configuration, one OptiFiner Pro can replace two traditional refiners and still deliver 40% electrical energy savings. The new design is suitable for all kinds of LC refining applications including short hardwood fibers as well as recycled fibers requiring fibrillation at low refining intensities.
In conventional refining, fibers have to travel the full length of the refining zone and suffer excessive impacts leading to increased fines, weakening of the refined fibers and inefficient delivery of energy to the fiber. Some fibers, as much as 70% in a disc refiner for instance, may not be treated at all. The new OptiFiner Pro increases the number of fibers that receive proper refining treatment and, because of the high utilization of the whole refining area and all refining bar lengths, refiner treatment intensity is much higher than any other refiner.
