Chip washing

Cleaner chips, better pulp – maximize quality and efficiency

Chip washing is a critical step in mechanical pulp production, ensuring contaminants like sand, stones, and metal are removed before refining. Valmet’s advanced chip washing solutions improve pulp quality, reduce energy consumption, and extend equipment life, delivering cost savings and consistent performance.

The importance of removing impurities early

By removing impurities early, mills reduce maintenance costs, extend equipment life, and ensure consistent fiber quality. Clean chips mean higher efficiency and better end-product performance. This step also prevents excessive wear on critical components like feed screws and refiner segments—helping avoid major maintenance expenses while improving overall reliability and uptime.

How does Valmet chip washing work?

The process uses a combination of hot water immersion and scrap separation to efficiently clean chips. Key components include the scrap separator, chip sump, screw drainer, and water cleaning system with rotary screens and settling tanks. This integrated approach guarantees optimal washing efficiency for any mill setup.

Why choose Valmet chip washing?

  • Extended equipment life – Minimizes wear on refiner segments and other machinery, cutting maintenance costs.
  • Improved pulp quality – Cleaner chips lead to consistent fiber properties and better end-product performance.
  • Lower energy and chemical use – Efficient washing reduces refining energy and optimizes chemical consumption.

Explore key components of our chip washing solution:

Valmet Scrap Separator

Efficient removal of heavy contaminants for superior chip quality

The scrap separator submerges chips in hot water and uses a paddle drum to separate stones, metal, and sand. This ensures clean chips enter the refining process, reducing wear and improving pulp quality.

  • Reliable removal of heavy contaminants
  • Reduces maintenance and downtime
  • Improves overall washing efficiency

Valmet Screw Drainer

Effective water removal for optimized chip handling

The screw drainer uses inclined screws and perforated screens to drain water from chips while separating residual contaminants. This step ensures chips are ready for refining with minimal moisture and impurities.

  • Efficient water drainage for better process control
  • Reduces energy consumption in subsequent steps
  • Enhances chip cleanliness and pulp quality
Interested in mechanical pulping? Let's connect!

Interested in mechanical pulping? Let's connect!

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