Abstract: An improved system for measuring the velocity of ultrasonic signals within the plane of moving web-like materials, such as paper, paperboard and the like. In addition to velocity measurements of ultrasonic signals in the plane of the web in the MD and CD, one embodiment of the system in accordance with the present invention is also adapted to provide on-line indication of the polar specific stiffness of the moving web. In another embodiment of the invention, the velocity of ultrasonic signals in the plane of the web are measured by way of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers carried by synchronously driven wheels or cylinders, thus eliminating undue transducer wear due to any speed differences between the transducers and the web. In order to provide relatively constant contact force between the transducers and the webs, the transducers are mounted in a sensor housings which include a spring for biasing the transducer radially outwardly.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel processes for the dewatering of a wide variety of solid-liquid matrices, including primary and secondary sludge, which involve the simultaneous application of pressure and heat to the solid-liquid matrices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coating device for application of coating material to the surface of a web or a flexible substrate. The coating device contains a pressurized channel where a flowing stream of the coating liquid first comes into contact with the substrate. The coating liquid enters the channel at the upstream side and wets the substrate as it flows in the same direction as the substrate. A doctor element is positioned at the downstream side of the channel where the excess coating in the channel follows the contour of the boundary formed by the doctor element and leaves the channel. The geometry of the streamlined boundaries of the coating device eliminate the formation of recirculating eddies or vortices. The elimination of vortices eliminates flow instability due to centrifugal forces and removes harmful pressure fluctuations which could result in coat-weight nonuniformities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a fiber web is provided by pressing the web, preferably by impulse drying and then introducing the web into a gas pressurized zone followed by reducing the pressure in the zone, the reduction preferably being effected with cooling of the fiber web.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a fiber web is provided by pressing the web, preferably by impulse drying and then introducing the web into a gas pressurized zone followed by reducing the pressure in the zone, the reduction preferably being effected with cooling of the fiber web.

Abstract: An improved black liquor recovery system for use in a kraft pulping mill is provided. Molten kraft smelt from a black liquor recovery boiler or recovery system is fed into a fluidized bed reactor where it is cooled and solidified to form solid kraft smelt particles. The solid kraft smelt particles are then fed into a dissolving tank containing an aqueous solution to form a green liquor. The green liquor, after clarification, is treated with lime to form a white liquor containing the regenerated pulping chemicals. Waste steam is an especially preferred fluidizing gas for use in the fluidized bed reactor. This process provides improved energy recovery and process productivity, reduction in gaseous sulfur-containing emissions, reduction in landfilled wastes, and improved safety as compared to a conventional kraft smelt treatment process.

Abstract: An improved system for measuring the velocity of ultrasonic signals within the plane of moving web-like materials, such as paper, paperboard and the like. In addition to velocity measurements of ultrasonic signals in the plane of the web in the MD and CD, one embodiment of the system in accordance with the present invention is also adapted to provide on-line indication of the polar specific stiffness of the moving web. In another embodiment of the invention, the velocity of ultrasonic signals in the plane of the web are measured by way of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers carried by synchronously driven wheels or cylinders, thus eliminating undue transducer wear due to any speed differences between the transducers and the web. In order to provide relatively constant contact force between the transducers and the webs, the transducers are mounted in a sensor housings which include a spring for biasing the transducer radially outwardly.

Abstract: A system for relatively accurately measuring the velocity and time of flight of ultrasonic signals in the thickness direction through moving web-like materials, such as paper, paperboard and the like, includes a pair of ultrasonic transducers disposed on opposing sides of the moving web-like material. The ultrasonic transducers are disposed in fluid-filled wheels to provide acoustical coupling between the transducers and the web-like material. In order to eliminate errors, known as trigger jitter, inherent in systems used to digitize ultrasonic signals for manipulation by a digital computer, a pulse echo box is provided to enable the capture of a reflected ultrasonic signal in addition to the ultrasonic signal transmitted through the web. By cross-correlating the transmitted and reflected ultrasonic signals in the same sample period, the error associated with trigger jitter is eliminated.

Abstract: An improved system for measuring the velocity of ultrasonic signals within the plane of moving web-like materials, such as paper, paperboard and the like. In addition to velocity measurements of ultrasonic signals in the plane of the web in the machine direction, MD, and a cross direction, CD, generally perpendicular to the direction of the traveling web, therefor, one embodiment of the system in accordance with the present invention is also adapted to provide on-line indication of the polar specific stiffness of the moving web. In another embodiment of the invention, the velocity of ultrasonic signals in the plane of the web are measured by way of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers carried by synchronously driven wheels or cylinders, thus eliminating undue transducer wear due to any speed differences between the transducers and the web.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coating device for application of coating material to the surface of a web or a flexible substrate. The coating device contains a pressurized channel where a flowing stream of the coating liquid first comes into contact with the substrate. The coating liquid enters the channel at the upstream side and wets the substrate as it flows in the same direction as the substrate. A doctor element is positioned at the downstream side of the channel where the excess coating in the channel follows the contour of the boundary formed by the doctor element and leaves the channel. The geometry of the streamlined boundaries of the coating device eliminate the formation of recirculating eddies or vortices. The elimination of vortices eliminates flow instability due to centrifugal forces and removes harmful pressure fluctuations which could result in coat-weight nonuniformities.

Abstract: A coating applicator for application of coating material to the surface of a web or a flexible substrate. The coating device contains a walled application chamber where a flowing stream of the coating liquid first comes into contact with the substrate. The coating liquid enters a channel of the application chamber at the upstream side and wets the substrate as it flows in the same direction as the substrate. A doctor element is positioned at the downstream side of the channel where the excess coating in the channel follows the contour of the boundary formed by the doctor element and leaves the channel. One of the applicator walls is designed to be a floating or moving wall or belt. The floating applicator wall and geometry of the streamlined boundaries of the coating device eliminates the formation of recirculating eddies or vortices. The elimination of vortices eliminates flow instability due to centrifugal forces and removes harmful pressure fluctuations which could result in coat-weight nonuniformities.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for drying a web of paper utilizing impulse drying techniques. In the method of the invention for drying a paper web, the paper web is transported through a pair of rolls wherein at least one of the rolls has been heated to an elevated temperature. The heated roll is provided with a surface having a low thermal diffusivity of less than about 1.times.10.sup.-6 m.sup.2 /s. The surface material of the roll is preferably prepared from a material selected from the group consisting of ceramics, polymers, glass, inorganic plastics, composite materials and cermets. The heated roll may be constructed entirely from the material having a low thermal diffusivity or the roll may be formed from metal, such as steel or aluminum, or other suitable material which is provided with a surface layer of a material having a low thermal diffusivity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to a method and apparatus for drying a web of paper utilizing impulse drying techniques to provide a unique paper product having a predetermined pattern of delaminated paper fibers. In the method of the invention for drying a paper web, the paper web is transported through a pair of rolls wherein at least one of the rolls has been heated to an elevated temperature. The heated roll is provided with a planar surface having a predetermined pattern formed on the surface of a material having a low K value of less than about 3000 w.sqroot.s/m.sup.2 c and having a relatively low porosity. The material forming the predetermined pattern of the roll surface is preferably selected from the group consisting of ceramics, polymers, glass, inorganic plastics, composite materials and cermets. The remainder of the roll surface has a high K value of greater than about 3000.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for drying a web of paper utilizing impulse drying techniques. In the method of the invention for drying a paper web, the paper web is transported through a pair of rolls wherein at least one of the rolls has been heated to an elevated temperature. The heated roll is provided with a surface having a low K value of less than about 3000 w.sqroot.s/m.sup.2 c and having a low porosity. The surface material of the roll is preferably prepared from a material selected from the group consisting of ceramics, polymers, glass, inorganic plastics, composite materials and cermets. The heated roll may be constructed entirely from the material having a low K value or the roll may be formed from metal, such as steel or aluminum, or other suitable material which is provided with a surface layer of a material having a low K value.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the successful generation of mature embryos from gymnosperm somatic tissue using various combinations and proportions of glucose, maltose, abscisic acid and/or indolebutyric acid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for drying a web of paper utilizing impulse drying techniques. In the method of the invention for drying a paper web, the paper web is transported through a pair of rolls wherein at least one of the rolls has been heated to an elevated temperature. The heated roll is provided with a surface having a low thermal diffusivity of less than about 1.times.10.sup.-6 m.sup.2 /s. The surface material of the roll is preferably prepared from a material selected from the group consisting of ceramics, polymers, glass, inorganic plastics, composite materials and cermets. The heated roll may be constructed entirely from the material having a low thermal diffusivity or the roll may be formed from metal, such as steel or aluminum, or other suitable material which is provided with a surface layer of a material having a low thermal diffusivity.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a mixture of fused ring quinone type compounds from lignin and lignin-derived substances. The mixture of fused ring quinone compounds has been found useful in the wood pulping process as an accelerator in the degradation and separation of wood lignin from the other principal wood constituents, cellulose and hemicellulose.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a mixture of fused ring quinone type compounds from lignin and lignin derived substances. The mixture of fused ring quinone compounds has been found useful in the wood pulping process as an accelerator in the degradation and separation of wood lignin from the other principal wood constituents, cellulose and hemicellulose.