PAPER PULP REFINER CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD USING ACTIVE HYDROSTATIC BEARINGS

摘要

A paper pulp refiner with control system employs active hydrostatic bearings for supporting the refiner rotor, at least in part, the hydrostatic bearings are defined between the refiner rotor plates (25, 55) and stator plates (22, 60) through openings (40, 62, 85) formed in the stator plates for the admission of active hydrostatic fluid. The control fluid flows into the refiner gap under controlled volume and pressure, employing the refining plates as active hydrostatic bearings and flows into the process fluid. Hydrostatic control fluid is used, which is non-contaminated to the process fluid. The rotors of the paper pulp refiners may also be controlled by hydrostatic bearing surfaces formed between relative rotating and non-rotating components, such surfaces having passageways also opening into the process fluid. In the event of loss of control or function, the refiner may continue to operate on the hydrostatic bearings until the control function can be restored.