Abstract: A system and method for feeding comminuted cellulosic fibrous material such as wood chips to the top of a treatment vessel such as a continuous digester provide enhanced simplicity, operability, and maintainability by eliminating the high pressure transfer device conventionally used in the prior art. Instead of a high pressure transfer device the steamed and slurried chips are pressurized using one or more slurry pumps located at least thirty feet below the top of the treatment vessel and for pressurizing the slurry to a pressure of at least about 10 bar gauge. A return line from the top of the digester may, but need not necessarily, be operatively connected to the one or more pumps and if connected to the pumps the pressure in the return line may be reduced utilizing a pressure reduction valve and/or a flash tank.

Abstract: A system and method for feeding comminuted cellulosic fibrous material such as wood chips to the top of a treatment vessel such as a continuous digester provide enhanced simplicity, operability, and maintainability by eliminating the high pressure transfer device conventionally used in the prior art. Instead of a high pressure transfer device the steamed and slurried chips are pressurized using one or more slurry pumps located at least thirty feet below the top of the treatment vessel and for pressurizing the slurry to a pressure of at least about 10 bar gauge. A return line from the top of the digester may, but need not necessarily, be operatively connected to the one or more pumps and if connected to the pumps the pressure in the return line may be reduced utilizing a pressure reduction valve and/or a flash tank. Steam from the flash tank may be used in steaming the chips.

Abstract: A method and apparatus supply ozone containing gas under superatmospheric pressure to an ozone delignification device. The speed of a water ring compressor is controlled so that it compresses as much ozone gas per unit time at desired superatmospheric pressure as the ozone delignification unit utilizes, with essentially no excess. The ozone containing gas is fed from the water ring compressor through a separator buffer tank which levels out pressure pulses and separates cooling water from compressed ozone gas prior to the gas entering the ozone delignification unit. The gas passes through a control valve controlled by a mass flowmeter which senses the amount of cellulose pulp fed to the ozone delignification unit. The speed control of the compressor may be provided by a differential pressure controller connected across the control valve.

Abstract: A slurry of recycled cellulose fibers is deinked by introducing the slurry into the first end of a vortex, sparging gas radially inwardly into the slurry to cause gas bubbles to attach to contaminants and ink particles to form an aerated slurry, discharging the aerated slurry from near the second end of the vortex into a separation vessel, effecting separation of a foam of ink laden gas bubbles from the cellulose fiber slurry in the separation vessel, and removing from the separation vessel the foam with associated ink and contaminants in a first stream, and de-inked cellulose fiber slurry in a second stream. The separation vessel is typically a foam separating vessel with separation effected by flotation, and by discharging the foam. The slurry is introduced into the flotation vessel below the liquid level in it. The slurry typically has a consistency of about 0.5-2%, and the gas to slurry volume ratio during sparging may be 0.1-1 to 1.0 (e.g. 0.2-0.7 to 1, or 0.3-0.4 to 1).

Abstract: In a method of bleaching medium consistency pulp with ozone using a mixer, ozone containing gas and about 6-15% consistency pulp are fed to the mixer, and then discharged in a first, preferably vertical, path. The mixture of pulp and ozone moves in a first part of the vertical path a time period of about 1-5 seconds at a velocity of about 1-5 m/s so that the gas and pulp do not separate during movement in this first part, and the vast majority of the pulp brightening reaction between the ozone and pulp takes place. This is preferably accomplished by passing the mixture upwardly in a small diameter conduit having a height of about 3-20 meters. Then the velocity of the pulp is slowed while still moving in the first path, preferably by feeding it directly to a much larger diameter (e. g. 1.5-10 times) conduit, so the height of the unit may be kept under 100 feet. The pulp flows in the large diameter conduit for about 0.5-5 minutes so that residual reactions take place.

Abstract: A method and apparatus supply ozone containing gas under superatmospheric pressure to an ozone delignification device. The speed of a water ring compressor is controlled so that it compresses as much ozone gas per unit time at desired superatmospheric pressure as the ozone delignification unit utilizes, with essentially no excess. The ozone containing gas is fed from the water ring compressor through a separator buffer tank which levels out pressure pulses and separates cooling water from compressed ozone gas prior to the gas entering the ozone delignification unit. The gas passes through a control valve controlled by a mass flowmeter which senses the amount of cellulose pulp fed to the ozone delignification unit. The speed control of the compressor may be provided by a differential pressure controller connected across the control valve.

Abstract: It is desirable to be able to treat medium consistency (e.g. about 8-12% by weight) paper pulp suspensions with treatment liquid (e.g. a wash liquid), and to thicken the pulp to about 30-50% consistency at the same time. A moving (e.g. rotating) channel is defined by a root wall and upstanding side walls--some or all of which are perforated--and treatment liquid is introduced by an arcuately elongated distributor with perforated side walls into the center of the pulp within the channel, filtrate flowing out through the perforated walls. A pivoted wall portion of the stationary housing of the treatment device restricts outflow of the thickened pulp cake from the device, the cake flowing between a doctor blade and the pivoted wall portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the dehydration of low rank coal, such as lignite. The coal is formed into particles having a size of less than about 4 inches, is subjected to atmospheric steaming, and then preheating with steam at a pressure of about 20-100 psig. The particles are then entrained in liquid and fed to a high pressure feeder at which they are transferred to a high pressure circulation loop, at a pressure of between about 300-1500 psig. The particles and liquid are fed to a liquid/particles separator at the top of a vertical dehydrating vessel, and the particles at the top of the vessel are contacted by saturated steam. Condensed steam and particles flow downwardly in the dehydration vessel, and are subjected to a counter-current wash at the bottom of the vessel.

Abstract: A low pressure feeder includes a rotor containing at least one pocket having a single access opening to it, the rotor rotatable about an axis and enclosed in a housing having an inlet port vertically above an outlet port. A sealing structure is disposed in a large clearance volume between the rotor and the housing, the sealing structure comprising a single shoe having an opening communicating with the inlet port, and one or more pressure compensators for biasing the shoe into engagement with the rotor. The pressure compensators are responsive to the process pressure at the feeder high pressure outlet port. A gas blast structure is provided for supplying a blast of gas to the pocket to effect discharge of material from the pocket when it is in communication with the outlet port.

Abstract: A method of transporting heavier than water particles such as coal from an elevated supply site to a delivery site at a substantial elevation below said elevated supply site comprising the steps of mixing the particles at the supply site with liquid such as water to form a slurry of particles and liquid, introducing slurry at the supply site into a confined path extending downwardly from the supply site to the delivery site, confining a volume of slurry material in energy transmitting relation to the slurry in the confined path such that the static head of the slurry in the confined path is transmitted to the confined volume, continuously withdrawing material from the confined volume at spaced first and second positions and introducing liquid into the confined volume in such a way as to (1) maintain the pressure conditions within the confined volume generally equal to the static head of the slurry in the confined path minus the friction losses and (2) enable slurry from the confined path to flow into the conf

Abstract: A method and system are provided for continuously conveying hard particulate material of non-uniform size, like coal. A high pressure transfer device has high and low pressure feed and discharge lines extending to and from it, and a screen arrangement for allowing liquid and fines to pass from the low pressure feed line to the low pressure discharge line, while stopping large particles. An excess accumulation of fines is prevented by providing a screen assembly vertically above the high pressure transfer device. Level control in a hopper--which provides the low pressure feed line--is accomplished merely utilizing an overflow technique. The concentration of particles in the liquid in the high pressure discharge line is maintained about 50% by withdrawing a portion of the liquid (while still under pressure) from the high pressure discharge line, and returning it to the high pressure feed line. A density measuring device downstream of the liquid withdrawal automatically controls the amount of liquid withdrawal.

Abstract: A method of recovering mineral nodules deposited on the ocean floor which comprises the steps of pumping a continuous flow of ocean water along a first confined path through an exchange position within the vicinity of the ocean floor where the mineral nodules to be recovered are deposited from an ocean water inlet position out of the aforesaid ocean vicinity and then upwardly to a discharge position on a surface vessel, confining ocean water within a second path within the aforesaid ocean vicinity, continuously flowing ocean water in the second path by pumping the same at a pumping position spaced down-stream from an exchange position therein, continuously moving from the ocean floor to a separating position within the aforesaid ocean vicinity a mixture containing deposited mineral nodules and smaller particles forming a part of the ocean floor on which the mineral nodules were deposited, continuously separating the mixture at the separating position so as to obtain a supply of separated mineral nodules withi

Abstract: Methane is produced from peat by solubilizing the phenolic polymers therein, and oxidizing the solute to produce short chain molecules. The short chain molecules are fermented to produce a gas that this scrubbed to remove CO.sub.2 to produce methane. Solubilizing takes place in a vertically oriented pressurized vessel that is circular in cross-section and divided into a number of regular vertically elongated compartments, each comprising a circular sector in cross-section, and extending the majority the height of the vessel. Slurried peat is fed into the top of one compartment while another compartment is being emptied from the bottom, the compartment being filled or emptied being progressively changed in response to rotation of a central shaft in the vessel. Oxidation of solubilized peat takes place in a structure that transports the solubilized peat in a substantially vertical wave path from an inlet to an outlet with oxygen being introduced at the bottoms of segments of the wave path, and CO.sub.

Abstract: An improved lifting mechanism for an apparatus for continuously feeding solid particles into a pressure vessel of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,384, the lifting mechanism comprising an elongated cylindrical housing assembly operatively disposed with its axis extending at an angle to the horizontal and to the vertical. The housing assembly includes end structures closing the upper and lower ends thereof, a water and particle inlet for pressure communication with the pressure vessel of the apparatus leading downwardly into the interior of the housing assembly adjacent the closed lower end thereof and a particle outlet for pressure communication with the container of the apparatus leading downwardly from the interior of the housing assembly adjacent the closed upper end thereof.

Abstract: A method of continuously feeding solid particles into a pressurized container which comprises the steps of confining a body of liquid having a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of the particles in proximity to the pressurized container, maintaining communication of the pressure conditions within the pressurized container with a free surface of the confined body of liquid so as to maintain the body of liquid under pressure, continuously introducing a supply of solid particles entrained in liquid under pressure into the body of liquid under pressure, causing the entrained particles introduced into the body of liquid to continuously move toward the bottom portion thereof, mechanically continuously moving the particles in the bottom portion of the body of liquid upwardly along a confined path which extends from a position adjacent the bottom portion of the body of liquid upwardly above the level of the aforesaid free surface thereof to a feed position in pressure communication with the interior of t

Abstract: A method and apparatus for hydraulically transmitting coal, oil shale, mineral ores, etc. from the mine face to the surface of underground mines via a pipeline by injecting the mined material from near the mine face into a body of water flowing in a pipeline, such injection being accomplished by an injection device which moves the mined material into the pipeline without applying any pushing forces and relocates the mined material in a continuous fashion from a first low pressure water circulation loop into a second higher pressure water circulation loop. The second water circulation loop communicates as required with a second injection device which relocates the mined material to a third higher pressure water circulation loop for increasing the pressure in the pipeline for transmission from deep mines.

Abstract: A process of producing gas from gas producing material, such as coal, within a gasifier by continuously heating the material under pressure to produce gas and ash particles, and continuously discharging the ash particles from the gasifier, the continuous discharging comprising the steps of confining a liquid, such as water or the like, within a first path including a volume having a free surface in communication with the gas pressure at the ash particle discharge end of the gasifier, substantially continuously discharging the ash particles into the aforesaid volume of water through the free surface thereof, maintaining a continuous flow of water along a second path at an energy level reduced with respect to the energy level of the water in the first path and continuously removing successive incremental volumes of ash particles entrained in water from communication with the first path and communicating the successive incremental volumes of water and entrained ash particles with the water flowing in the second

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: 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 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