Abstract: Apparatus and method for digestion of cellulose material in a continuous digestion process, that do not require screens in the outlet of the digesting zone. Cellulose chips and digesting liquid at relatively low temperature are introduced into a relatively long and thin cylindrical impregnation vessel, having a first diameter. The chips from the impregnation vessel pass into a digestion vessel having a second diameter substantially greater than the first diameter, the outlet for the impregnation zone into the digestion vessel being disposed well into the digestion vessel and below an outlet(s) disposed in the top of the digestion vessel, and form a chips column in the digestion vessel.

Abstract: A gasification process in which gasification of lump size gas producing material, such as coal, is carried out under high pressure on a fixed-bed principle with a continuous feed of coal particles thereto, the continuous feed being accomplished by feeding coal of an appropriate particle size range into a volume of liquid within a first confinement path through a free surface thereof exposed to atmospheric conditions, collecting successive incremental volumes of particles and entrained liquid and transferring them into a liquid within a second circuitous confinement path maintained under pressure by virtue of the exposure of the free surface of a volume thereof with the gasification pressure conditions, conveying the particles of the incremental volumes communicated with the second path through a pumping action upstream of the particle communication therewith, collecting the particles in the volume and moving them upwardly through the free surface thereof into the gasification zone.

Abstract: Apparatus for refining digested pulp involving the use of a refiner, preferably two or more refiners in series positioned in the digester blow line to receive washed, digested pulp discharged from a continuous digester.

Abstract: An improved system for the production of digested pulp from wood chips and knots which includes a separating apparatus, connected to the digester output, capable of separating knots from partially cooked wood chips and fibers at the digester pressure and consistency. The separated fibers and fiber bundles pass to a refiner where the fiber bundles are mechanically reduced to fibers in a liquid environment at a high consistency and at the digester pressure. The knots are then re-cycled to the digester or other processes.The separating apparatus above uses a plurality of rotating members such as intermeshing screws or grooved rolls, arranged in a vertical screen to separate an inlet chamber from an outlet chamber. Knots cannot pass through the rotating members and thus are driven out of an outlet which communicates with the inlet chamber. The fibers, however, do pass through the rotating members to the outlet chamber and exit therefrom by a second outlet.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for conveying large particle coal, oil shale, ore, etc. from underground or strip mines via a pipeline, said conveying being accomplished by introducing the solid material into a pipeline flowing water, such introduction into the pipeline being on the discharge side of a pump which motivates the flow of water in the pipeline, such introduction being accomplished by a transmission device which transmits the solid material from a low energy water stream to the high energy water stream of the pipeline, said transmission being continuous.

Abstract: A solids level indicator adapted for use in a vessel having solids flowing downwardly therein. A shaft is fixedly mounted at one end thereof while a generally flat plate is mounted at the free end thereof, the plate being perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. Strain gauges are mounted adjacent the fixed end of the shaft for indicating the twisting thereof in response to the weight of solids acting on the plate, the plate being in a generally horizontal plane. The fixed end of the shaft may be hollowed-out-having a thin-walled portion to which the strain gauges are affixed. Shear pins may be connected from a stationary member to the shaft to allow for rotation of the shaft relative to the stationary member should a force larger than a predetermined amount act upon the plate, whereby damage to the plate and shaft may be avoided. The shear pins and the strain gauges may be readily accessible from the exterior of the vessel allowing replacement thereof without interrupting the operation of the vessel.

Abstract: A process for providing pressurized, pulverized coal for use in combustion or gasifying of coal by the fluidized bed or suspended particle combustion principles which comprises the steps of introducing lump coal, of stoker size to run of mine size, into a low energy liquid circulation stream; transferring the lump coal to a high energy, high pressure, liquid circulation stream; separating the lump coal from the high energy liquid circulation stream by lifting the coal through a free liquid surface, said high energy liquid draining from the coal by gravity; directing the coal by gravity transfer to a continuous mechanical dryer for removal of surface liquid; gravity transfer to a coal crusher for major size reduction; gravity transfer to a coal pulverizer for size reduction necessary for the gasification processes; transfer of pulverized coal by gas circulation from the pulverizer to a cyclone separator, said circulating gas used in the pulverizer for coal particle classifying; and final injection of the pulve

Abstract: A method of continuously feeding coal or the like to coal gasifier means or the like operating under a predetermined elevated pressure and of continuously removing ash or the like therefrom in which the coal feeding and ash removing procedures are interrelated to provide energy conservation by removing heat from the ash and transferring the heat to the coal, such energy conservation being performed by means of the liquid medium (water) used to feed the coal and remove the ash. In the coal feeding procedure, coal is continuously introduced into a first low energy water circuit from which successive volumes of coal particles and entrained water are transferred to a second high energy water circuit during which transfer the first circuit gains water from the second circuit, the second circuit includes a first liquid volume having a free liquid surface maintained at a high pressure level at or near the pressure level of the gasifier through which the coal is moved to supply the gasifier.