Abstract: The solar cell module of the present invention comprises a plurality of unit cells connected in series, each of the unit cells comprising in this order an electrode, a first semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type and a second semiconductor layer having a second conductivity type, wherein the electrode has a region not covered with the first semiconductor layer, wherein the second semiconductor layer has a main region and a subregion which are separated by a groove, wherein the main region of the second semiconductor layer in one unit cell of the unit cells is electrically connected to the region of the electrode not covered with the first semiconductor layer in another unit cell adjacent to the one unit cell, and wherein the region of the electrode not covered with the first semiconductor layer in the one unit cell is electrically connected to the subregion of the second semiconductor layer in the another unit cell, whereby it is possible to simplify a step of forming a bypass diode and the pres

Abstract: When a ground fault occurs in some solar battery string, this solar battery string may be disconnected and operation of a solar power generation system may be continued. If the open-circuit voltage of the solar battery string is high, a safety problem arises. If the open-circuit voltage is decreased, the conversion efficiency decreases. Therefore, an intermediate switch is provided midway along the solar battery string. When a ground fault occurs, this solar battery string where the ground fault has occurred is divided into substrings.

Abstract: A solar cell having a rear backing of a polyvinylfluoride foil is bonded by a mortar consisting of a finely divided neutral aggregate, a hydraulic cement and an aqueous dispersion of a polyacrylic acid derivative having a logarithmic decrement of torsional vibration damping with a maximum at a temperature below 0° C. to the surface of a building composed of concrete, to a porous glass or to a metal plate which is hung on a building.

Abstract: A backflow valve for an end of a pipe includes a cylindrical body having coupling at a first end which is adapted to mate with an end of a pipe. A closure gate is pivotally mounted to the second end of the body for movement about a substantially horizontal axis between an open position permitting flow in one direction through the flow passage and a closed position blocking the flow passage to prevent a reversal of flow.

Abstract: A backflow valve which includes a closure gate pivotally mounted along a substantially vertical pivot axis to one of the opposed sides of the valve body. A closure gate engaging profile positioned in a bottom of the valve body locks the closure gate in the open position. The closure gate is biased into the closed position. The closure gate moves to the closed position upon floating free of the closure gate engaging profile.

Abstract: A backwater valve includes a body having a flow passage extending therethrough with an inlet side and an outlet side. A closure gate is pivotally mounted within the body above the inlet side of the flow passage. The closure gate has an open position above the flow passage and a closed position blocking the inlet side of the flow passage. A float activated locking member is mounted on the body. The locking member has a locking position and a release position. In the locking position, the locking member engages and holds the closure gate in the open position. The float activated locking member is influenced by liquid rising in the body whereby the locking member is carried to the release position when the liquid rises above a preset level and upon release the closure gate closes by force of gravity.

Abstract: A backflow valve has a closure gate that is pivotally mounted for movement between an open position in which the closure gate is positioned on a plane substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a flow passage and a closed position in which the closure gate is positioned transverse to the longitudinal axis. The closure gate has a midsection positioned pivot axis and is unbalanced with greater weight being toward the first end. A rotational stop limits pivotal movement when the closure gate is in the open position. A float is secured to the first end of the closure gate. The greater weight at the first end biases the closure gate by force of gravity against the rotational stop and into the open position. The float causes the closure gate to pivotally move to the closed position in response to liquid rising in the flow passage.

Abstract: A main valve mechanism for opening and closing a main flow path between a first port and a second port has a main valve body, a large-diameter first piston for opening the main valve body, a main pressure operating chamber for driving the first piston, and first spring means for closing the first piston. An auxiliary valve mechanism for opening and closing an auxiliary flow path has an auxiliary valve body, a small-diameter second piston for opening the auxiliary valve body, an auxiliary pressure operating chamber for driving the second piston, and second spring means for closing the second piston. The main pressure operating chamber and the auxiliary pressure operating chamber are connected to each other through a connecting hole. There are such relationships between piston diameters of both the pistons and repulsing forces of both the spring means that the second piston is actuated by lower fluid pressure than the first piston.

Abstract: A closed fluid transfer system is provided including a fluid source in fluid communication with an inlet of a hollow body. The hollow body includes a flexible and expandable wall, typically composed of elastomeric material, at one end thereof. An outlet is formed distal from the flexible and expandable wall. Fluid is transported from the fluid source to the hollow body through a tube by a pump or the like. The hollow body may constitute a fluid conditioning chamber. Alternatively, the hollow body serves as a fluid source for an energy production device. The hollow body may also be fluidly connected to a vehicle for use as a fuel tank.

Abstract: A manual fuel supply tap with reserve position, comprising a tap body which has a cylindrical blind hole in the bottom of which a front distribution unit is mounted rotatably and hermetically, the distribution unit being provided with a stem which is associated with a manual actuation handle, a washer being fitted along the actuation stem, being provided with means which allow its relative axial sliding but not its rotation, and having at least one raised tooth which is adapted to cooperate with a corresponding notch of a fixed ring for closing the blind hole against which it is pressed by elastic means in order to determine the reserve position.

Abstract: A cylinder (32) is hermetically attached into an attaching bore (31) formed within a housing (4) and is made to advance and retreat between a take-out position (A) and a charging position (B). A check valve chamber (28) is formed within the cylinder (32). A check spring (43) resiliently pushes a check valve member (29) inserted into the check valve chamber (28) toward a check valve seat (42). The cylinder (32) has an outer surface provided with an actuation portion (50). If the actuation portion (50) is pushed, it retracts the cylinder (32) toward the charging position (B). Provided at a position opposing to the check valve member 29 through a chamber inlet (40) of the check valve chamber (28) is a receiving portion (46), which receives the check valve member (29) on a halfway while the cylinder (32) is retreating.

Abstract: A fluid-impermeable composite hose has a laminated layer composed of an inner winding layer formed by winding a laminated sheet spirally in a single layer, leaving a gap between every two adjoining turns, and an outer winding layer formed by winding a laminated sheet spirally in a single layer over the gap in the inner winding layer, leaving a gap between every two adjoining turns. The gap of the inner wind layer gives the hose flexibility and prevents the folding of the spirally wound sheet which might result in the failure of the hose to maintain its fluid impermeability.

Abstract: A fluid-impermeable composite hose has a laminated layer having a high impermeability to a refrigerant, etc. and held between two resin layers having a thickness which is small enough to enable the hose to remain flexible. The resin layers secure and protect the laminated layer and protect a metallic foil in the laminated layer from any bending, deforming or stretching force acting upon the hose.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a magnetic powder which can provide a bonded magnet having excellent magnetic properties and having excellent reliability especially excellent heat stability. The magnetic powder is composed of an alloy composition represented by Rx(Fe1-yCoy)100-x-z-wBzAlw (where R is at least one kind of rare-earth element, x is 7.1-9.9 at %, y is 0-0.30, z is 4.6-6.9 at %, and w is 0.02-1.5 at %), the magnetic powder being constituted from a composite structure having a soft magnetic phase and a hard magnetic phase, wherein the magnetic powder has magnetic properties in which, when the magnetic powder is formed into an isotropic bonded magnet having a density &rgr; [Mg/m3] by mixing with a binding resin and then molding it, the maximum magnetic energy product (BH)max[kJ/m3] of the bonded magnet at the room temperature satisfies the relationship represented by the formula (BH)max/&rgr;2[×10−9J·m3/g2]≧2.

Abstract: In this invention, enhancement of the coercive force of the Fe—B-R based magnetic anisotropic sintered magnets was studied by increasing a content of B and, in addition, containing into material a small amount of such as Al, Si, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Mn effective of enhancing the coercive force and excluding from the material harmful impurities such as P, S, and Sb. This material was powdered by usual melting, casting, crushing, or direct reduction method. This powder was subjected to orientation in a magnetic field, compacted, sintered and subjected to heat treatment. Thus the Fe-B-R based sintered permanent magnets were obtained that have the maximum energy product more than 20MGOe and the coercive force more than 15kOe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stainless spheroidal carbide cast iron is such: comprises Fe as its main component;, C 0.6˜4.0% and V 4˜15% as its necessary components, P 0.01˜0.15%, S 0.01˜0.05%, and Al 0.05˜1.0% as bubble assistants, and Ni 4˜15%, Si 0.2˜4.5%, Cr 13˜30%, and Mn 0.2˜1.5% as anticorrosion matrix formers in weight %; produced by the process that minute spheroidal space of gas (hydrogen) bubble is dispersed substantially equally into molten metal positively by high temperature melting at 1950˜2073 K which is the bubbling reaction temperature, and spheroidal vanadium carbide of a covalent bond is crystallized inside of the spheroidal space, which has special characteristics such as corrosion-resistance, heat-resistance, abrasion-resistance, thoughness and processing ability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a martensitic, corrosion resistant steel for rock drilling with properties which is adjusted essentially with regard to resistance against corrosion fatigue. This has been obtained in that an elongated element for percusive rock drilling which includes at least a thread and a flush channel has been made with corrosion resistant steel having a mainly martensitic structure.

Abstract: A method for producing new superplastic alloys by inducing in an alloy the formation of precipitates having a sufficient size and homogeneous distribution that a sufficiently refined grain structure to produce superplasticity is obtained after subsequent PSN processing. An age-hardenable alloy having at least one dispersoid phase is selected for processing. The alloy is solution heat-treated and cooled to form a supersaturated solid solution. The alloy is plastically deformed sufficiently to form a high-energy defect structure useful for the subsequent heterogeneous nucleation of precipitates. The alloy is then aged, preferably by a multi-stage low and high temperature process, and precipitates are formed at the defect sites. The alloy then is subjected to a PSN process comprising plastically deforming the alloy to provide sufficient strain energy in the alloy to ensure recrystallization, and statically recrystallizing the alloy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a die casting magnesium alloy having excellent heat resistance and castability, and the alloy of the present invention is a die casting magnesium alloy having excellent heat resistance and castability, comprising 2 to 6% by weight of Al, 0.3 to 2% by weight of Ca, 0.01 to 1% by weight of Sr, 0.1 to 1% by weight of Mn, the balance magnesium and unavoidable impurities. According to the present invention, more excellent effects can be obtained in the composition wherein rare earth elements are added to the composition described above.

Abstract: The invention relates to a product comprising an aluminum base alloy consisting of (in weight %): Cu 3.8 - 4.9, Mg 1.2 - 1.8, Mn 0.1 - 0.9, Fe max. 0.12, Si max. 0.10, Ti max. 0.15, Zn max. 0.20, Cr max. 0.10, impurities each max. 0.05, total max. 0.15, balance aluminum. The product having a minimum L-0.2% yield strength of 300 MPa or more, a minimum LT-0.2% yield strength of 270 MPa, a minimum T-L fracture toughness KC(ao) of 100 MPa.{square root}m or more for a 700 mm wide CCT-panel, and has in both L/ST- and LT/ST-sections an average grain size of at least 6 according to ASTM E-112. Further the invention relates to a method for the manufacturing of such a product.

Abstract: A method of producing light alloy castings by foundry technology in which, after solidification and shake-out, the casting is subjected to a heat-treatment cycle comprising a solution heat-treatment step at a temperature high enough to put into solution the phases precipitated in the course of the solidification of the casting, possibly followed by a quenching step and an ageing step, wherein the solution heat-treatment step is performed at least partially in hot isostatic pressing conditions.

Abstract: A novel shape memory alloy of Fe—Mn—Si system containing at least Fe, Mn, and Si wherein the alloy contains niobium carbide in the structure and is improved in that a sufficiently satisfactory shape memory effect is provided without carrying out a special treatment termed training.

Abstract: A method for the thermal treatment of rails, in particular of the rail head, in which cooling is carried out in a cooling agent that contains a synthetic cooling agent additive starting at temperatures above 720° C. The treatment is carried out by immersion in the cooling agent until withdrawal of the immersed areas occurs, at a surface temperature between 450 and 550° C. results without temperature equalization across the whole of the cross-section, thereby avoiding hardening of the rail web while maintaining an optimal cooling rate for the rail head.

Abstract: The proposed brake disk consists of steel of a composition of 0.1 to 0.4% of carbon, up to 1.0% of silicon, up to 2.0% of manganese, up to 0.02% of sulfur, 11 to 16% of chromium, up to 1.0% of nickel and 0.5 to 1.5% of molybdenum, the remainder being iron and production-related impurities.

Abstract: The method is used to fabricate pure copper sputter targets. It includes first heating a copper billet to a temperature of at least 500° C. The copper billet has a purity of at least 99.99 percent. Then warm working the copper billet applies at least 40 percent strain. Cold rolling the warm worked copper billet then applies at least 40 percent strain and forms a copper plate. Finally, annealing the copper plate at a temperature above about 250° C. forms a target blank. The target blank has equiaxed grains having an average grain size of less than 40 &mgr;m. The grains of the target blank have (111), (200), (220) and (311) orientations with the amount of the grains having each of the orientations being less than 50 percent.

Abstract: A method of preparing propellants involves using &bgr;-octogen with a multimodal grain size distribution and an average grain size of less than 50 &mgr;m in a propellant composition containing other explosives, inert binders and active binders.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire in which a sipe, which is substantially parallel to a contour line of a trailing edge of a ground-contact configuration, is formed in a trailing edge region of each block at shoulder sides of the pneumatic tire. From a time of step-in to a time of kick-out of a block, the effect of shearing strain which is transmitted to a trailing edge from a preceding trailing edge portion is mitigated, and movement of the trailing edge of the block with respect to a road surface is suppressed. Accordingly, wear at the trailing edge of the block, i.e., heel-and-toe wear, is suppressed, and noise caused by heel-and-toe wear is reduced.

Abstract: A tire having at least one crescent-shaped rubber composition as an insert in its sidewall region which is comprised of at least one diene-based elastomer, carbon black and, optionally, silica and at least one of dithiodipropionic acid, benzoic acid and salicylic acid.

Abstract: A strip of tire ply stock is reinforced with steel cords wherein the steel cords are constructed of high strength wire filament having at least a tensile strength of −2000×D+4400 MPa where D is the filament diameter in mm. Tires are constructed with the ply stock in the belt and/or carcass.

Abstract: A tire wherein one or more rubberized organic fiber cord layers extending over an end of a carcass turnup portion in a radial direction of the tire are arranged so as to extend from a position near to an outside of the bead core over the end of the turnup portion toward the outside of the tire and spread apart to the turnup portion. A tire wherein one or more rubberized organic fiber cord layers are arranged so as to extend from a position exceeding over an end of a bead portion reinforcing layer made of a steel cord layer toward the outside of the tire extending over the end of the turnup portion in the radial direction of the tire and spread apart to the reinforcing layer. And also, a tire wherein a cord layer portion of one or more rubberized organic fiber cord layers extending over the end of the turnup portion in the radial direction of the tire and outside the turnup portion has a first bent portion bending toward the inside of the tire.

Abstract: A system for making wallboard or backerboard sheets may include a former for forming core material having opposing first and second major surfaces and comprising aerated concrete, and for securing at least one face layer from at least one face layer supply onto at least one of the first and second major surfaces of the core material. The former may include a saw blade for sawing bodies of cured aerated concrete into sheets of core material, a lower conveyor for advancing a series of bodies past the saw blade, and an upper conveyor for conveying a remaining portion of a body downstream from the saw blade back to a position upstream from the saw blade. Accordingly, the former provides for the efficient processing of relatively large cured bodies of aerated concrete to be formed into wallboard or backerboard sheets.

Abstract: A system includes a saw comprising at least one saw blade for sawing at least one body of aerated concrete into sheets of core material having opposing major surfaces, at least one face layer supply, and a conveyor for advancing the sheets of core material along a path of travel as at least one face layer is secured thereto from the at least one face layer supply. The system may further include a shuttle for repetitively advancing the at least one body of aerated concrete past the at least one saw blade to saw successive sheets of core material. The shuttle, in turn, may comprise a car for carrying the at least one body of aerated concrete, a track for guiding the car, and at least one actuator for moving the car along the track. The saw blade may extends in a substantially horizontal direction. Accordingly, the saw may further comprise a vertical indexer for vertically indexing the at least one saw blade to saw successive sheets of core material.

Abstract: A method of bonding a high chrome steel to a fiber composite. An epoxy primer is applied to the high chrome steel, the primer is dried, and thereafter the high chrome steel and the fiber composite are adhered together by using an epoxy adhesive. The invention also includes bonded joints that are made by the method and bonded assemblies having the bonded joint. A joint made using this bonded method has a high torque-to-failure, even after exposure to extreme ambient conditions of high temperature and high relative humidity. The bonding method is particularly suitable for use in bonding high chrome steel and fiber composite components for use in the aerospace industry.

Abstract: A resistance element comprising at least a resistance element body comprised of a ceramic including &bgr;-SIALON of a composition expressed by Si6-zAlzOzN8-z (where, in the formula, z=0.3 to 1.0) and an internal conductor embedded inside the resistance element body, wherein the internal conductor includes a conductor material containing tungsten and carbon and having an atomic ratio of carbon to tungsten of 0.4 to 1.1 and an insulator material and the volume ratio of the insulator material to the conductor material is 0.25 to 1.5. Such a resistance element can be used over a long time under a high temperature environment, has little fluctuation in resistance even with repeated rises and falls between room temperature and a high temperature, can withstand oxidation at a high temperature, and is otherwise superior in durability.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a tire reinforcement from a cord, cooperating with a substantially toroidal form on which arches of the cord are deposited according to a desired trajectory for the cord on the surface of the form, the apparatus having depositing members arranged on a support, the depositing members including a guide member in which the cord may slide freely, a mechanism for actuating the guide member in a cyclical, to-and-fro, movement, to bring the guide member in successive oscillations into the vicinity of each of the desired ends for the cord in the trajectory. The apparatus further includes a first motor imparting the desired movements to the actuating mechanism and a second motor for imparting to the depositing member support a cyclical movement synchronized with the actuating mechanism, allowing deflection of the final trajectory of the cord on the form.

Abstract: At least one carcass ply (3) is formed by depositing a strip-like element (13) comprising longitudinal thread-like elements (13a) incorporated into a layer of elastomer material (13b), onto a toroidal support (11). Deposition of the strip-like element (13) takes place in alternated deposition sections (23, 24) each comprising two radially-extending side portions (23a, 24a, 23c, 24c) and a crown portion (23b, 24b) extending at a radially external position. The side portions of each deposition section (23, 24) are at least partly overlapped with side portions belonging to an adjacent deposition section. Associated with the carcass ply (3) are annular structures (4) comprising a circumferentially inextensible annular insert (32) axially external to an anchoring element (31). A belt structure (5), a tread band (8) and sidewalls (9) are combined with the thus formed carcass structure (2) to define a tire (1) to be submitted to a vulcanization step.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive/cohesive exhibits excellent cohesive body properties, and other desirable features, even when exposed to heat and polysiloxane based lubricants, such as in a laser printer. The formulation comprises 100 parts by weight natural rubber (e.g. electrosterically stabilized natural rubber graft and block terpolymer), and expressed as percentages by weight of the rubber the following components: about 5-35% (e.g. about 28%) acrylate monomer or monomers (such as methyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, benzyl methacrylate, and/or isobornyl methacrylate); about 0.5-8% acrylic acid and/or about 1-10% 4-acetoxystyrene; about 0-20% ethyl hexyl acrylate; about 1-50% (e.g.

Abstract: A process for producing a liquid crystal device principally includes the steps of: disposing a pair of substrates each provided with an electrode with a spacing therebetween, and filling a chiral smectic liquid crystal in the spacing between the pair of substrates so as to be supplied with a voltage via the pair of electrodes. The pair of substrates are provided with anti-parallel uniaxial aligning axes so that the liquid crystal is placed in an alignment state exhibiting a pretilt angle of at least 4 degrees at a boundary thereof with at least one of the substrates. The liquid crystal has a phase transition series of Iso-Ch-SmC* or Iso-SmC* on temperature decrease. The process further includes a step of heating the liquid crystal disposed between the substrates to a temperature assuming Iso or Ch and then cooling the liquid crystal to a temperature assuming SmC*; and a step of applying an initial electric field having an effective voltage (Erms.) at a temperature assuming SmC* for at least 1 sec.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that produces shaped and laminate articles and recovers the excess material or flash as a part of the manufacturing process. The apparatus uses a combination of rotary die and anvil roller assemblies in successive multiple stations to cut and separate each raw material into final product portions and recyclable flash portions as each raw material enters the apparatus. The apparatus separately reclaims each raw material flash portion and delivers the flash of each material in a recyclable form to an auxiliary recycling operation. In recovering the flash, the apparatus does not adversely affect the speed or quality of production of the final shaped or laminated product. To ease removal of the flash, the apparatus applies lubricant to the blades of the rotary die. To avoid damage to web material, the apparatus uses vacuum belts to convey the web material and web product through the apparatus.

Abstract: A plasma processing module for processing a substrate includes a plasma containment chamber having a feed gas inlet port capable of allowing a feed gas to enter the plasma containment chamber of the plasma processing module during the processing of the substrate. An inductively coupled source is used to energize the feed gas and striking a plasma within the plasma containment chamber. The specific configuration of the inductively coupled source causes the plasma to be formed such that the plasma includes a primary dissociation zone within the plasma containment chamber. A secondary chamber is separated from the plasma containment chamber by a plasma containment plate. The secondary chamber includes a chuck and an exhaust port. The chuck is configured to support the substrate during the processing of the substrate and the exhaust port is connected to the secondary chamber such that the exhaust port allows gases to be removed from the secondary chamber during the processing of the substrate.

Abstract: A radiofrequency plasma reactor (1) for the treatment of substantially large sized substrates is disclosed, comprising between the electrodes (3, 5) of the plasma reactor a solid or gaseous dielectric layer (11) having a non planar-shaped surface-profile, said profile being defined for compensating a process non uniformity in the reactor or generating a given distribution profile.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for an improved etch process. A power source alternates between high and low power cycles to produce and sustain a plasma discharge. Preferably, the high power cycles couple sufficient power into the plasma to produce a high density of ions (≧1011cm−3) for etching. Preferably, the low power cycles allow electrons to cool off to reduce the average random (thermal) electron velocity in the plasma. Preferably, the low power cycle is limited in duration as necessary to prevent excessive plasma loss to the walls or due to recombination of negative and positive ions. It is an advantage of these and other aspects of the present invention that average electron thermal velocity is reduced, so fewer electrons overcome the plasma sheath and accumulate on substrate or mask layer surfaces. A separate power source alternates between high and low power cycles to accelerate ions toward the substrate being etched. In one embodiment, a strong bias is applied to the substrate in short bursts.

Abstract: A plasma treatment method comprising exhausting a process chamber so as to decompress the process chamber, mounting a wafer on a suscepter, supplying a process gas to the wafer through a shower electrode, applying high frequency power, which has a first frequency f1 lower than an inherent lower ion transit frequencies of the process gas, to the suscepter, and applying high frequency power, which has a second frequency f2 higher than an inherent upper ion transit frequencies of the process gas, whereby a plasma is generated in the process chamber and activated species influence the wafer.

Abstract: A screening arrangement for a vehicle rear-door window is provided. The screening arrangement has a screening element which can be brought via clamping devices in the region of a window frame into a position covering the window. In this case, at least one of the clamping devices constitutes a clamping clip which, in the clamping position, is plugged into a gap between a windowpane and a window ledge. At least one of the other clamping devices likewise constitutes a clamping clip which, in the clamping position on an upper window-frame profile, is plugged into a gap between a frame lining and a rubber door seal.

Abstract: A rear windowpane roll-up blind is reeled out with the aid of actuating levers 9, 11. The actuating levers 9, 11 are the sole elements which carry the pull rod 13 of the roll-up blind 5. In order to prevent a damaging of the heating wires on the inside of the rear window pane 4, guide rollers 56 are rotatably supported on the outer ends of the pull rod 13. Mechanisms 42 70 are provided which allow the guide rollers 56 to yield under spring tension so that the force with which the rollers 56 are pressed on the pane 4 is held within a prescribed range regardless of installation and vehicle body tolerances.

Abstract: A screening arrangement for a rear window of a motor vehicle has a screening element held by a clamping device. The clamping device has clamping rods which are arranged at least at sides of the screening element and are respectively held at a retaining bearing on a lining of a roof and at a counterbearing on a lining bordering on the lower edge of the rear window.

Abstract: In the production of chemical pulp, such as kraft pulp, it is possible to reduce the amount of ancillary equipment, and/or the size of the continuous digester vessel, while achieving enhanced uniformity of treatment by avoiding “hang ups”. Instead of providing vertical counter-current flow of liquid and comminuted cellulosic fibrous material being treated in the lower half of the digester, the counter-current flow may be a cross flow, that is substantially horizontal (e.g. radial) while the flow of the chip column is vertical. Regardless of the configuration of the digester vessel, a single pump may be utilized for all of the recirculations, or only a few pumps for all of the recirculations.

Abstract: A method for processing straw pulp that includes caustic treatment is provided. The caustic treated straw pulp can be incorporated into a papermaking furnish to provide a paper product. The caustic treated pulp imparts strength to papers incorporating the pulp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for use in connection with the combustion of black liquor. In the method the black liquor is concentrated in a multi-effect evaporation plant in order to obtain black liquor at a suitable dry-solids content for combustion and to generate vapor. The concentrated black liquor is taken to be combusted in a recovery boiler, into which combustion air is fed at several levels for the combustion process. It is a characteristic feature of the invention that the air fed to at least one air level is preheated by using vapor generated in the concentration of the black liquor as heat source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for reducing sticky contaminants in stock systems containing waste paper and in coated broke, and their reuse in the manufacture of papers. In this process, both polyvinyl alcohols and bentonite are added.