Abstract: The invention provides a novel impact angle changing shower for spraying a fluid upon a moving belt surface while the belt travels at a selected belt velocity. The shower includes nozzles journaled to rotation about an axis in a plane normal to the belt surface and transverse to the belt direction. The nozzles are continuously supplied with pressurized fluid and direct a fluid stream at a selected nozzle velocity and nozzle angle relative to the plane. The orientation of the nozzles is selected to optimize the desired function namely, to clean the belt surface without damaging the belt fabric or felt, or to penetrate the belt to increase fluid absorption by the belt. The fluid stream nozzle velocity can be decomposed using vector mathematics into two vector components: a belt velocity vector component parallel to the belt direction; and a belt impact velocity vector oriented at an impact angle defined relative to the normal transverse plane.

Abstract: A reverse hydrocyclone cleaner for removing light contaminants from pulp slurry has a housing defining a hydrocyclone separating chamber. Pulp slurry is fed into the separating chamber adjacent an upper end thereof to form an outer helically and downwardly moving slurry stream relatively free from light contaminants, an inner pulp stream containing a substantial amount of the light contaminants and an air core within the inner stream. An overflow orifice is located adjacent an upper end of the separating chamber, and an underflow orifice is located adjacent a lower end of the separating chamber to remove the outer pulp stream relatively free from light contaminants. A centrally located blocking finger is located in the underflow orifice.

Abstract: A novel seal arrangement is provided for use in processing apparatus of the type including a partition for separating zones of relatively high and low pressures. At least one aperture is provided in such partition, the aperture having a wall. A processing unit (such as a hydrocyclone) has a portion thereof located in such aperture so that an annular region is defined between such unit and the aperture wall. An annular seal of resiliently deformable material is located in this annular region and provides a seal between the above noted zones. This seal is of cup-shaped form and includes an annular outer seal lip which is radially spaced form the processing unit. This seal outer lip is connected to the remainder of the seal via an end wall. The seal outer lip has inner and outer surfaces and a free annular edge remote from the end wall.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone heavy fraction outlet unplugging grommet for use in hydrocyclone systems is described. The grommet is self-sealing under the pressures encountered in use and will effectively seal around a relatively large water nozzle inserted therethrough in the course of an unplugging operation.

Abstract: A deaerator for removing gases from complex liquids such as pulp slurries in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes an elongated tubular body adapted to be disposed in a generally horizontal position and having an inlet end and an exit end for the flow of liquid therethrough. A chamber adjacent the exit end is provided for accumulating gases therein and a gas removal vent is associated with such chamber. A set of longitudinally extending vertical baffles are disposed in a lower portion of the tubular body, between which baffles a main portion of the liquid flows. A set of lateral baffles extend across the interior of the tubular body, such lateral baffles projecting above the longitudinal baffles and being spaced apart along the tubular body. The lateral baffles are also spaced from the top wall of the tubular body to define therebetween a flow channel along which bubble-containing liquid is guided toward the chamber.

Abstract: Improved hydrocyclone separators are adapted for connection to an improved header having concentrically arranged feed and accept nipples. The hydrocyclone includes feeding means including unique guide vane means for swinging the feed suspension from a generally longitudinal direction to a generally spiral direction and accelerating same prior to feeding the suspension into the separation chamber. The accept outlet includes an elongated tubular member with the guide vanes being located in the annular region defined between the tubular member and the wall of the chamber. The wall of the separator chamber terminates at the large end thereof at an annular rim the latter being connected to the feed nipple. The elongated tubular accept outlet has an end portion concentrically arranged relative to the annular rim of the separator chamber for connection to the accept nipple which is concentrically arranged relative to and within the feed nipple.

Abstract: Improved hydrocyclone separators are adapted for connection to an improved header having concentrically arranged feed and accept nipples. The hydrocyclone includes feeding means including unique guide vane means for swinging the feed suspension from a generally longitudinal direction to a generally spiral direction and accelerating same prior to feeding the suspension into the separation chamber. The accept outlet includes an elongated tubular member with the guide vanes being located in the annular region defined between the tubular member and the wall of the chamber. The wall of the separator chamber terminates at the large end thereof at an annular rim the latter being connected to the feed nipple. The elongated tubular accept outlet has an end portion concentrically arranged relative to the annular rim of the separator chamber for connection to the accept nipple which is concentrically arranged relative to and within the feed nipple.