Abstract: Cellulose pulp is discharged from the dilution zone of a high consistency pulp tower at a substantially even volume flow and a substantially steady pulp consistency by mounting a particular parting member within a bottom portion of the tower. The parting member is constructed so as to define a first cross-sectional area between it and the tower side wall which is smaller than a second cross-sectional area below the parting member, in the dilution zone. The parting member may comprise a cone, cone frustum, pyramid, or pyramid frustum mounted substantially concentrically with the tower axis. The first cross-sectional area is at most 95% of a second cross-sectional flow area in the dilution zone, and typically about 90% or less. A ring may extend inwardly from the side wall at the parting member and define the first cross-sectional flow area with the parting member. Alternatively the parting member may itself comprise a ring having a substantially triangular (e.g.