Steam separation
Improve energy recovery with advanced steam separation
Steam separation is essential in mechanical pulp production for energy recovery and process optimization. By efficiently separating steam from fibers, mills reduce energy costs, improve pulp quality, and ensure stable operation.
Why Is steam separation important for your mill?
Steam separation removes excess steam from the pulp process, enabling efficient energy recovery and stable operation. This step is essential for maintaining uniform pulp quality and reducing equipment wear. Without proper separation, fiber carryover in recycled steam can lead to serious issues, such as plugging, unplanned cleaning stops, and even fiber emissions into the surroundings.
How steam separation work in mechanical pulping
Steam separation ensures clean steam recovery by removing fibers from the steam flow, preventing fiber carryover and enabling efficient energy reuse.
Depending on the design, this can be achieved through centrifugal force combined with sedimentation or by mechanical acceleration and controlled pressure.
In some systems, fibers are compressed into a plug to maintain pressure balance, while in others, the separation relies on reducing steam velocity so it can escape easily. These methods prevent fiber carryover, minimize energy loss, and secure consistent pulp quality across different production conditions.
Benefits of steam separation
- Maximized energy recovery: Reuse clean steam to cut energy costs and boost efficiency.
- Reduced downtime: Prevent plugging and cleaning stops caused by fiber carryover.
- Improved pulp quality: Maintain fiber integrity for consistent, high-quality production.
Get to know Valmet Steam Separators
Valmet Steam Separator PV
High-pressure steam recovery for HT-CTMP applications
The PV Steam Separator is designed for high-capacity lines and HT-CTMP processes, handling steam pressures up to 8 bar. Its mechanical design ensures efficient separation regardless of production rate or steam velocity, making it indispensable for modern high-pressure systems.
- Handles high-pressure steam (up to 8 bar)
- Wide operating window for flexible production
- Low energy consumption and easy retrofitting
Valmet Steam Separator PS
Reliable pressure control and fiber plug formation
The PS Steam Separator uses centrifugal force to separate fibers from steam in the rotor chamber. It maintains pressure via a control valve and forms a fiber plug to isolate high-pressure inlet from atmospheric downstream vessels, ideal for stable operation in TMP processes.
- Precise pressure control for process stability
- Fiber plug ensures pressure separation
- Consistent pulp quality and reduced downtime
Valmet Pressure Cyclone
Simple and proven solution for steam Separation
The Pressure Cyclone is a robust, proven solution for separating fibers and steam using centrifugal force and sedimentation. Ideal for traditional TMP applications where simplicity and reliability matter.
- Effective fiber and steam separation
- Simple, low-maintenance design
- Easy integration into existing systems
Valmet Steam Separator PF
Optimized for Multi-Stage TMP Refining
The PF Steam Separator mechanically separates steam from fibers before feeding them into second or third-stage refiners. It replaces the cyclone discharger and refiner feeder without requiring foundation modifications, perfect for traditional TMP lines.
- High-efficiency steam removal before refining
- Retrofit-friendly design
- Improves refining performance and energy recovery
Interested in mechanical pulping? Let's connect!
Whether you're exploring new technologies or improving existing lines, our experts are ready to connect. Share your needs and we'll help you bring your performance forward.
Contact us