Refining apparatus

Apparatus for refining lignocellulose-containing material comprising a refiner housing, first and second refining disc members rotatably mounted within said refiner housing, each of said first and second refining disc members including an inner surface and an outer surface, said refining disc members being mounted so that said inner surfaces of said refining disc members are in opposed face-to-face relationship defining a refining space therebetween, a feed passage extending from said outer surface of said first refining disc member to said inner surface of said first refiner disc member for feeding said lignocellulose-containing material to said refining space, a steam passage extending from said outer surface of said second refining disc member to said inner surface of said second refining disc member so as to permit steam generated in said refining space to pass from said refining space to a point within said refiner housing, channel means rotatable with said second refining disc member for conducting steam from said outer surface of said second refining disc member entirely through said refiner housing, and passage means located entirely outside of said refiner housing for conducting away steam exiting from said channel means, said passage means being sealingly connected to said channel means to prevent leakage of steam therefrom.