Refiner Plate with Steam Relief Pockets

A refiner plate for the face of a refiner disc comprising a plurality of refiner segments arranged side-by-side on the face of the disc to form a substantially annular refining region. Each refiner segment has a plurality bars and grooves for refining a lignocelluloses material and a plurality of steam pockets for receiving, storing and transmitting steam generated during the refining process. Each steam pocket is defined by a series of gaps in adjacent bars such that the steam pocket extends radically and laterally across the refiner segment and such that the surface-of the steam pocket is at or below the height of the groove surface. At least one bar extends radically between each adjacent steam pocket in a segment, thereby forming a discontinuous path for the movement of steam. It is an object to provide a refiner plate for the face of a refiner disc, which facilitates the removal of steam while retaining the pulp in the refiner region to achieve satisfactory pulp quality.