Patents by Inventor Auvo K. Kettunen
Auvo K. Kettunen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20030089467Abstract: In the feeding of a slurry of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material to a digester (continuous or batch) in the production of chemical pulp, one of the tanks used in the feed system (which preferably includes a high pressure feeder) may be eliminated without consequent loss of its function by providing a single tank with the combined functions of controlling the level of liquid in a slurrying conduit which supplies slurry to a slurry pump, and storing and substantially continuously supplying liquid to a make-up liquid pump connected to the digester. The single tank preferably surrounds the slurrying conduit and is substantially concentric, and in liquid communication, with it. A gap of 3-48 inches may be provided between the bottom of the conduit and a connection to the slurry pump. A screen or strainer may be provided in the gap, which is substantially surrounded by the tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2002Publication date: May 15, 2003Applicant: Andritz Inc.Inventors: Auvo K. Kettunen, Richard O. Laakso, C. Bertil Stromberg, J. Robert Prough, Jay J. Miele
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Publication number: 20030089469Abstract: In the feeding of a slurry of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material to a digester (continuous or batch) in the production of chemical pulp, one of the tanks used in the feed system (which preferably includes a high pressure feeder) may be eliminated without consequent loss of its function by providing a single tank with the combined functions of controlling the level of liquid in a slurrying conduit which supplies slurry to a slurry pump, and storing and substantially continuously supplying liquid to a make-up liquid pump connected to the digester. The single tank preferably surrounds the slurrying conduit and is substantially concentric, and in liquid communication, with it. A gap of 3-48 inches may be provided between the bottom of the conduit and a connection to the slurry pump. A screen or strainer may be provided in the gap, which is substantially surrounded by the tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2002Publication date: May 15, 2003Applicant: Andritz, Inc.Inventors: Auvo K. Kettunen, Richard O. Laakso, C. Bertil Stromberg, J. Robert Prough, Jay J. Miele
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Publication number: 20030089470Abstract: In the feeding of a slurry of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material to a digester (continuous or batch) in the production of chemical pulp, one of the tanks used in the feed system (which preferably includes a high pressure feeder) may be eliminated without consequent loss of its function by providing a single tank with the combined functions of controlling the level of liquid in a slurrying conduit which supplies slurry to a slurry pump, and storing and substantially continuously supplying liquid to a make-up liquid pump connected to the digester. The single tank preferably surrounds the slurrying conduit and is substantially concentric, and in liquid communication, with it. A gap of 3-48 inches may be provided between the bottom of the conduit and a connection to the slurry pump. A screen or strainer may be provided in the gap, which is substantially surrounded by the tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2002Publication date: May 15, 2003Applicant: Andritz Inc.Inventors: Auvo K. Kettunen, Richard O. Laakso, C. Bertil Stromberg, J. Robert Prough, Jay J. Miele
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Publication number: 20030089466Abstract: In the feeding of a slurry of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material to a digester (continuous or batch) in the production of chemical pulp, one of the tanks used in the feed system (which preferably includes a high pressure feeder) may be eliminated without consequent loss of its function by providing a single tank with the combined functions of controlling the level of liquid in a slurrying conduit which supplies slurry to a slurry pump, and storing and substantially continuously supplying liquid to a make-up liquid pump connected to the digester. The single tank preferably surrounds the slurrying conduit and is substantially concentric, and in liquid communication, with it. A gap of 3-48 inches may be provided between the bottom of the conduit and a connection to the slurry pump. A screen or strainer may be provided in the gap, which is substantially surrounded by the tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2002Publication date: May 15, 2003Applicant: Andritz, Inc.Inventors: Auvo K. Kettunen, Richard O. Laakso, C. Bertil Stromberg, J. Robert Prough, Jay J. Miele
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Publication number: 20030089468Abstract: In the feeding of a slurry of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material to a digester (continuous or batch) in the production of chemical pulp, one of the tanks used in the feed system (which preferably includes a high pressure feeder) may be eliminated without consequent loss of its function by providing a single tank with the combined functions of controlling the level of liquid in a slurrying conduit which supplies slurry to a slurry pump, and storing and substantially continuously supplying liquid to a make-up liquid pump connected to the digester. The single tank preferably surrounds the slurrying conduit and is substantially concentric, and in liquid communication, with it. A gap of 3-48 inches may be provided between the bottom of the conduit and a connection to the slurry pump. A screen or strainer may be provided in the gap, which is substantially surrounded by the tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2002Publication date: May 15, 2003Applicant: Andritz Inc.Inventors: Auvo K. Kettunen, Richard O. Laakso, C. Bertil Stromberg, J. Robert Prough, Jay J. Miele
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Patent number: 6524436Abstract: By the utilization of a jet ejector (such as a thermocompresser) in a cellulose chemical pulp mill, it is possible to effectively increase the utilization of steam. The volume of steam from a flash tank which flashes black liquor from a pulp digester may be increased (e.g. at least about 10%), while the volume and temperature of the liquor discharged from the flash tank are decreased and its concentration increased, by operatively connecting the jet ejector to the steam discharge from a flash tank. The jet ejector is supplied with higher pressure steam from another source which can result in a low pressure or partial vacuum condition in the flash tank. The flash tank may be a single flash tank or one of a series of flash tanks, and an ejector can be associated with at least another flash tank in the series.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2001Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Andritz, Inc.Inventors: Auvo K. Kettunen, Matti Lautala
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Patent number: 6368453Abstract: In the feeding of a slurry of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material to a digester (continuous or batch) in the production of chemical pulp, one of the tanks used in the feed system (which preferably includes a high pressure feeder) may be eliminated without consequent loss of its function by providing a single tank with the combined functions of controlling the level of liquid in a slurrying conduit which supplies slurry to a slurry pump, and storing and substantially continuously supplying liquid to a make-up liquid pump connected to the digester. The single tank preferably surrounds the slurrying conduit and is substantially concentric, and in liquid communication, with it. A gap of 3-48 inches may be provided between the bottom of the conduit and a connection to the slurry pump. A screen or strainer may be provided in the gap, which is substantially surrounded by the tank.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2000Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Andritz Inc.Inventors: Auvo K. Kettunen, Richard O. Laakso, C. Bertil Stromberg, J. Robert Prough, Jay J. Miele
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Publication number: 20020036069Abstract: By the utilization of a jet ejector (such as a thermocompresser) in a cellulose chemical pulp mill, it is possible to effectively increase the utilization of steam. The volume of steam from a flash tank which flashes black liquor from a pulp digester may be increased (e.g. at least about 10%), while the volume and temperature of the liquor discharged from the flash tank are decreased and its concentration increased, by operatively connecting the jet ejector to the steam discharge from a flash tank. The jet ejector is supplied with higher pressure steam from another source which can result in a low pressure or partial vacuum condition in the flash tank. The flash tank may be a single flash tank or one of a series of flash tanks, and an ejector can be associated with at least another flash tank in the series.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2001Publication date: March 28, 2002Inventors: Auvo K. Kettunen, Matti Lautala
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Patent number: 6346166Abstract: By the utilization of a jet ejector (such as a thermocompresser) in a cellulose chemical pulp mill, it is possible to effectively increase the utilization of steam. The volume of steam from a flash tank which flashes black liquor from a pulp digester may be increased (e.g. at least about 10%), while the volume and temperature of the liquor discharged from the flash tank are decreased and its concentration increased, by operatively connecting the jet ejector to the steam discharge from a flash tank. The jet ejector is supplied with higher pressure steam from another source which can result in a low pressure or partial vacuum condition in the flash tank. The flash tank may be a single flash tank or one of a series of flash tanks, and an ejector can be associated with at least another flash tank in the series.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2000Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: Andritz-Ahlstrom Inc.Inventors: Auvo K. Kettunen, Matti Lautala
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Publication number: 20010032711Abstract: Yield, particularly when treating hardwood chips, can be improved by at least 1-2% in a kraft cellulose pulping process by keeping the temperature and effective alkali (EA) low during impregnation, and by keeping the EA low in at least a first cook stage. After cooking, the pulp is subjected to cooling low EA liquor, e.g. to reduce its temperature to below 120° C. (preferably below 100° C.) with an EA below about 5 g/L (expressed as NaOH). Continuous treatment in a continuous digester system is preferred, with the EA below about 20 g/L during impregnation and the first cook.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 1998Publication date: October 25, 2001Inventors: C. BERTIL STROMBERG, AUVO K. KETTUNEN, JIAN E. JIANG, KAJ O. HENRICSON
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Publication number: 20010025694Abstract: In the feeding of a slurry of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material to a digester (continuous or batch) in the production of chemical pulp, one of the tanks used in the feed system (which preferably includes a high pressure feeder) may be eliminated without consequent loss of its function by providing a single tank with the combined functions of controlling the level of liquid in a slurrying conduit which supplies slurry to a slurry pump, and storing and substantially continuously supplying liquid to a make-up liquid pump connected to the digester. The single tank preferably surrounds the slurrying conduit and is substantially concentric, and in liquid communication, with it. A gap of 3-48 inches may be provided between the bottom of the conduit and a connection to the slurry pump. A screen or strainer may be provided in the gap, which is substantially surrounded by the tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2001Publication date: October 4, 2001Applicant: Andritz-Ahlstrom Inc.Inventors: Auvo K. Kettunen, Richard O. Laakso, C. Bertil Stromberg, J. Robert Prough, Jay J. Miele
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Patent number: 5779856Abstract: Chemical (typically kraft) pulp having enhanced intrinsic fiber strength and bleachability compared to pulp produced using conventional or modified kraft cooking is produced by using high alkali and/or pH cooking, preferably by adding the vast majority of cooking liquor (such as kraft white liquor) after the first removal of liquid from the digester so that the effective alkali concentration is high near the end of the cook. That is during at least the last minute (preferably at least the last 15 minutes and most preferably at least the last 30 minutes) before the cook is terminated the effective alkali concentration is between 15-50 g/l, more preferably between about 18-40 g/l, and most preferably between about 20-35 g/l.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1996Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: Ahlstrom Machinery Inc.Inventor: Auvo K. Kettunen
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Patent number: 5635026Abstract: Chemical (typically kraft) pulp having enhanced intrinsic fiber strength and bleachability compared to pulp produced using conventional or modified kraft cooking is produced by using high alkali and/or pH cooking. After being impregnated with a first cooking liquor (e.g. white liquor) having low effective alkali, the first liquor is extracted from the pulp, and it is impregnated with a second cooking liquor having an effective alkali concentration of at least 25 g/l and cooked at cooking temperature (e.g. 140.degree.-190.degree. C.) to produce a spent second cooking liquor having a residual effective alkali concentration of at least about 15 g/l, which is then extracted from the pulp. The spent second liquor may be used to preheat incoming white liquor, and then flashed and used as the first liquor. The pH of the first liquor is typically less than about 13.0, and the residual pH of the spent second liquor is about 13.0 or more.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1995Date of Patent: June 3, 1997Assignee: Ahlstrom Machinery Inc.Inventors: Auvo K. Kettunen, Kaj O. Henricson, Aki H. Vilpponen, Jian E. Jiang, Bruno S. Marcoccia