Abstract: A method for continuous cooking of lignocellulosic fiber material, comprising the steps of sequentially (a) in a first stage, impregnating the fiber material in an impregnation liquid comprising alkali metal hydroxide, and thereafter withdrawing (14, 514) a spent impregnation liquid; (b) in a second stage, cooking the fiber material in a cooking liquor comprising alkali metal hydroxide; and (c) in a third stage, adding (A), to said fiber material, a liquid which is rich in hemicellulose, said liquid preferably comprising at least a part (14a, 514a) of said withdrawn spent impregnation liquid. In a fourth stage (d), the fiber material is cooked in a cooking liquor comprising the liquid added in the third stage, whereby the fiber material is subjected to a retention time of at least 1 hour in said fourth stage.

Abstract: A feeding system for feeding comminuted cellulose containing material and liquid to a continuously operating treatment vessel. The feeding system comprises a chute, operating at a first pressure, a high pressure feeder sluices the material to a second pressure, that is higher than the first pressure, for further conveyance to the treatment vessel. The high pressure feeder also receives a return liquid flow from the treatment vessel at the second pressure and recirculates a recirculation flow to the chute. The high pressure feeder is in fluid communications, regarding both the liquid and the material, with the recirculation flow when any of the pockets of the high pressure feeder is in a location which corresponds to an outlet for the recirculation flow.