Abstract: A slurry of cellulosic material is diluted to a flowable consistency and subjected to a pressure differential on a permeable surface to increase the slurry consistency to a value between the consistency of the diluted slurry and the consistency of the slurry prior to dilution thereby forming a mat of cellulosic material on the permeable surface. The liquid and solids which pass through the permeable surface as a result of the pressure differential are recycled for use as slurry diluent, and to the mat of cellulosic material, while the mat remains on the permeable surface and subject to the pressure differential, is countercurrently applied, in a plurality of treatment stages, a treating liquid, such as a wash liquid, including application of a fresh treating liquid to said mat in the last stage of said treatment stages, whereby the treating liquid displaces at least a portion of liquid present in said mat from said mat and through the permeable surface in each treatment stage.

Abstract: A slurry of cellulosic material is diluted to a flowable consistency and subjected to a pressure differential on a permeable surface to increase the slurry consistency to a value between the consistency of the diluted slurry and the consistency of th slurry prior to dilution thereby forming a mat of cellulosic material on the permeable surface. The liquid and solids which pass through the permeable surface as a result of the pressure differential are recycled for use as slurry diluent, and to the mat of cellulosic material is applied a treating liquid, such as a washing liquid.