Abstract: A chip bin for a digester has an upper part through which chips fall freely from an inlet and a lower part within which the chips remain until they are fed to a digester. Steam orifices strike falling chips with steam and disperses the chips over the interior of the chip bin. Further steam heats the chips and drives out non-condensable gas. The lower part of the chip bin is conical. Steam jets aimed down the conical walls propel the chips to an outlet at the bottom and prevent bridging.

Abstract: A pre-treatment device for wood chips for pulping comprises a tube through which the wood chips fall into a digester. Steam is injected into the tube through rings of nozzles, which are angled circumferentially to impart a rotary and turbulent motion to the falling chips. Some nozzles are angled downwardly to encourage the chips to flow freely through the tube, some are horizontal to encourage a longer dwell time near the nozzles. Digesting liquor is also sprayed onto the chips from spray nozzles after the first ring of steam nozzles. The heat and steam expel air and other non-condensable gases and volatiles from the chips, allowing them to absorb the liquor. At the bottom of the tube, the chips are propelled down and outwards by jets of higher-pressure steam, spreading and packing them into the digester.

Abstract: A pre-treatment device for wood chips for pulping comprises a tube through which the wood chips fall into a digester. Steam is injected into the tube through rings of nozzles, which are angled circumferentially to impart a rotary and turbulent motion to the falling chips. Some nozzles are angled downwardly to encourage the chips to flow freely through the tube, some are horizontal to encourage a longer dwell time near the nozzles. Digesting liquor is also sprayed onto the chips from spray nozzles after the first ring of steam nozzles. The heat and steam expel air and other non-condensable gases and volatiles from the chips, allowing them to absorb the liquor. At the bottom of the tube, the chips are propelled down and outwards by jets of higher-pressure steam, spreading and packing them into the digester.