Abstract: A biomass processing method including: feeding biomass to an upper reactor inlet; adding liquor to the biomass to create a liquid level below an upper biomass level; treating the biomass; discharging the treated biomass from a bottom reactor outlet; as the biomass flows downward from the biomass upper level to the bottom outlet, moving the biomass between a plurality of pairs of support plates, wherein (i) the pairs of support plates are arranged at different elevations, (ii) the plates of each pair are mounted to sidewalls at a slope with respect to the sidewall that converges the plate inwardly towards an opposite plate along a downward direction, and (iii) each pair of plates converges along a single direction; increasing biomass compaction as the biomass flows between each pair of plates; rapidly releasing compressive forces on the biomass as the biomass flows pass lower edges on each pair of support plates.

Abstract: A reactor vessel including: an upper inlet and a bottom discharge; a generally vertically oriented sidewall between the upper inlet and bottom discharge, wherein the sidewall defines a perimeter of an interior flow passage in the vessel; a first pair of support plates arranged on opposite sides of the sidewall, wherein the first pair of support plates reduces a cross-sectional flow area of the flow passage in a first single direction of convergence, and a second pair of support plates arranged on opposite sides of the side wall, wherein the second pair of support plates reduces a cross-sectional flow are of the flow passage in a second single direction of convergence, wherein the second single direction is angularly offset to the first single direction, and the second pair of support plates is at a different elevation of the vessel than the first pair of support plates.

Abstract: A reactor vessel including: an upper inlet and a bottom discharge; a generally vertically oriented sidewall between the upper inlet and bottom discharge, wherein the sidewall defines a perimeter of an interior flow passage in the vessel; a first pair of support plates arranged on opposite sides of the sidewall, wherein the first pair of support plates reduces a cross-sectional flow area of the flow passage in a first single direction of convergence, and a second pair of support plates arranged on opposite sides of the side wall, wherein the second pair of support plates reduces a cross-sectional flow are of the flow passage in a second single direction of convergence, wherein the second single direction is angularly offset to the first single direction, and the second pair of support plates is at a different elevation of the vessel than the first pair of support plates.

Abstract: A test apparatus for measuring the cohesive, adhesive and frictional properties of bulk solids has a bulk solid sample confined between two essentially parallel plates with a single load applied that produces both shear and normal stress and strain to the bulk solid in a manner that nearly uniformly distributes stress throughout the granular solid test region. The apparatus has a close proximity of the plates compared with the length of the plates in the direction of shear, the design of a load hanger to produce a resultant load near the shear plane, the roughening of any surface in contact with the solid that is not intended to have shear on it and involves one-directional movement of the parallel plates with respect to each other and the control of both the direction and magnitude of the applied load relative to the parallel plates.

Abstract: A bulk granular solids gravity flow curing vessel comprises an upper curing unit having a top opening for receiving particulate solids, a lower curing unit coupled to receive particulate solids from the upper curing unit, and at least one of the upper and lower curing units including a first intermediate section having substantially vertical sidewalls, a first hopper positioned to receive the particulate solids from the intermediate section, and a first velocity adjustment means positioned in the intermediate section and/or the first hopper. A bulk granular solids gravity flow curing vessel comprising a first section having substantially vertical sidewalls, a first hopper positioned to receive particulate solids from the first section, and a first velocity adjustment means positioned in the first section is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for blending particulate solids or liquids includes a blending vessel having a racetrack-shaped cross section at each elevation above its lower end. The racetrack-shaped cross section consists of two spaced opposed semicircles having ends that are joined by two spaced parallel line segments. Several embodiments of the apparatus are described; they all employ the racetrack-shaped blending vessel, which is highly effective in promoting mixing. In one embodiment the racetrack-shaped blending vessel is rotated about a horizontal axis so that the material passes through the vessel on each revolution. In another embodiment, a number of racetrack-shaped blending vessels are connected in a vertical sequence so that the material must pass through the blending vessels in succession.

Abstract: A bulk granular solids gravity flow curing vessel comprises an upper curing unit having a top opening for receiving particulate solids, a lower curing unit coupled to receive particulate solids from the upper curing unit, and at least one of the upper and lower curing units including a first intermediate section having substantially vertical sidewalls, a first hopper positioned to receive the particulate solids from the intermediate section, and a first velocity adjustment means positioned in the intermediate section and/or the first hopper. A bulk granular solids gravity flow curing vessel comprising a first section having substantially vertical sidewalls, a first hopper positioned to receive particulate solids from the first section, and a first velocity adjustment means positioned in the first section is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for blending particulate solids or liquids includes a blending vessel having a racetrack-shaped cross section at each elevation above its lower end. The racetrack-shaped cross section consists of two spaced opposed semicircles having ends that are joined by two spaced parallel line segments. Several embodiments of the apparatus are described; they all employ the racetrack-shaped blending vessel, which is highly effective in promoting mixing. In one embodiment the racetrack-shaped blending vessel is rotated about a horizontal axis so that the material passes through the vessel on each revolution. In another embodiment, a number of racetrack-shaped blending vessels are connected in a vertical sequence so that the material must pass through the blending vessels in succession.

Abstract: Apparatus for blending particulate solids or liquids includes a blending vessel having a racetrack-shaped cross section at each elevation above its lower end. The racetrack-shaped cross section consists of two spaced opposed semicircles having ends that are joined by two spaced parallel line segments. Several embodiments of the apparatus are described; they all employ the racetrack-shaped blending vessel, which is highly effective in promoting mixing. In one embodiment the racetrack-shaped blending vessel is rotated about a horizontal axis so that the material passes through the vessel on each revolution. In another embodiment, a number of racetrack-shaped blending vessels are connected in a vertical sequence so that the material must pass through the blending vessels in succession.

Abstract: In a cellulose pulp handling vessel having a first diameter material storing or treating portion above a second diameter discharge which is at least 20% less than the first diameter, reduced compression of the material and reduced power requirements of an agitator (if used), compared to prior art constructions are provided. A first transition, preferably a substantially smooth interior surface substantially frusto-conical transition, is provided between the first and second diameters. A second single-convergent transition may be provided above the first transition. A rotating agitator with at least two arms and associated paddles may be mounted for rotation in the transition about a substantially vertical axis for agitating the material in the transition. If desired, the transition may be moved, such as with a vibrator or oscillator. The invention is particularly suitable for pulp digesters and impregnation vessels.

Abstract: In a cellulose pulp handling vessel having a first diameter material storing or treating portion above a second diameter discharge which is at least 20% less than the first diameter, reduced compression of the material and reduced power requirements of an agitator (if used), compared to prior art constructions are provided. A first transition, preferably a substantially smooth interior surface substantially frusto-conical transition, is provided between the first and second diameters. A second single-convergent transition may be provided above the first transition. A rotating agitator with at least two arms and associated paddles may be mounted for rotation in the transition about a substantially vertical axis for agitating the material in the transition. If desired, the transition may be moved, such as with a vibrator or oscillator. The invention is particularly suitable for pulp digesters and impregnation vessels.

Abstract: A comminuted cellulosic fibrous material treatment vessel assembly includes a substantially vertical vessel having a top, bottom, and outlet, and through which the material flows in a flow direction. The vessel preferably has a substantially cylindrical wall with at least one diameter-changing transition between the inlet and the outlet. A screen assembly is preferably provided at or just past the transition. The screen assembly comprises one or more annular screen surfaces diverging in the flow direction of the material, the angle of divergence being between about 0.5-10° to the vertical, and preferably substantially continuous. Providing such a screen assembly reduces the radial compression of material thereon, and increases the volume and rate of liquid that can flow through the material and be removed through the screen surface compared to a non-diverging screen surface (that is a right-cylindrical surface).

Abstract: A bin or hopper, preferably with one-dimensional convergence, has a slot outlet at its bottom for discharging bulk solid particulate material (such as coal, wood chips, sugar, plastic pellets, etc.) to a screw in a trough. The screw has varying flight diameter, shaft diameter, and average pitch along its length to a discharge so as to provide substantially uniform material flow velocity distribution along the slot outlet. One or more flow rate adjusters may regulate flow of material being transported by the screw. Each flow adjuster may be a vertical plate with a substantially straight-across bottom curved about a substantially horizontal axis, or with a bottom two-dimensional curvature.

Abstract: In a cellulose pulp handling vessel having a first diameter material storing or treating portion above a second diameter discharge which is at least 20% less than the first diameter, reduced compression of the material and reduced power requirements of an agitator (if used), compared to prior art constructions are provided. A first transition, preferably a substantially smooth interior surface substantially frusto-conical transition, is provided between the first and second diameters. A second single-convergent transition may be provided above the first transition. A rotating agitator with at least two arms and associated paddles may be mounted for rotation in the transition about a substantially vertical axis for agitating the material in the transition. If desired, the transition may be moved, such as with a vibrator or oscillator. The invention is particularly suitable for pulp digesters and impregnation vessels.

Abstract: In a cellulose pulp handling vessel having a first diameter material storing or treating portion above a second diameter discharge which is at least 20% less than the first diameter, reduced compression of the material and reduced power requirements of an agitator (if used), compared to prior art constructions are provided. A first transition, preferably a substantially smooth interior surface substantially frusto-conical transition, is provided between the first and second diameters. A second single-convergent transition may be provided above the first transition. A rotating agitator with at least two arms and associated paddles may be mounted for rotation in the transition about a substantially vertical axis for agitating the material in the transition. If desired, the transition may be moved, such as with a vibrator or oscillator. The invention is particularly suitable for pulp digesters and impregnation vessels.

Abstract: In a cellulose pulp handling vessel having a first diameter material storing or treating portion above a second diameter discharge which is at least 20% less than the first diameter, reduced compression of the material and reduced power requirements of an agitator (if used), compared to prior art constructions are provided. A first transition, preferably a substantially smooth interior surface substantially frusto-conical transition, is provided between the first and second diameters. A second single-convergent transition may be provided above the first transition. A rotating agitator with at least two arms and associated paddles may be mounted for rotation in the transition about a substantially vertical axis for agitating the material in the transition. If desired, the transition may be moved, such as with a vibrator or oscillator. The invention is particularly suitable for pulp digesters and impregnation vessels.

Abstract: In a chisel-type convergence for a chip bin in a wood chip pulping process and system, an improvement in uniformity of discharge of the chips from a chips bin or the like is provided. The bin includes a conventional hollow substantially right circular cylindrical first, upper, body portion, a second, hollow transition, portion connected to the bottom of the first portion, and a third transition portion, below the second portion and above a metering device, such as a metering screw or a star-feeder. The third transition operates less than full of chips, and provides relief from chip compaction. The third transition portion may include stationary or movable baffles, and/or a metering screw may be provided which can pivot downwardly in order to minimize or eliminate the thrusting force against the bin or upper chips to facilitate discharge.

Abstract: A bin or hopper, preferably with one-dimensional convergence, has a slot outlet at its bottom for discharging bulk solid particulate material (such as coal, wood chips, sugar, plastic pellets, etc.) to a screw in a trough. The screw has varying flight diameter, shaft diameter, and average pitch along its length to a discharge so as to provide substantially uniform material flow velocity distribution along the slot outlet. One or more flow rate adjusters may regulate flow of material being transported by the screw. Each flow adjuster may be a vertical plate with a substantially straight-across bottom curved about a substantially horizontal axis, or with a bottom two-dimensional curvature.

Abstract: A comminuted cellulosic fibrous material treatment vessel assembly includes a substantially vertical vessel having a top, bottom, and outlet, and through which the material flows in a flow direction. The vessel preferably has a substantially cylindrical wall with at least one diameter-changing transition between the inlet and the outlet. A screen assembly is preferably provided at or just past the transition. The screen assembly comprises one or more annular screen surfaces diverging in the flow direction of the material, the angle of divergence being between about 0.5-10.degree. to the vertical, and preferably substantially continuous. Providing such a screen assembly reduces the radial compression of material thereon, and increases the volume and rate of liquid that can flow through the material and be removed through the screen surface compared to a non-diverging screen surface (that is a right-cylindrical surface).

Abstract: A comminuted cellulosic fibrous material treatment vessel assembly includes a substantially vertical vessel having a top, bottom, and outlet, and through which the material flows in a flow direction. The vessel preferably has a substantially cylindrical wall with at least one diameter-changing transition between the inlet and the outlet. A screen assembly is preferably provided at or just past the transition. The screen assembly comprises one or more annular screen surfaces diverging in the flow direction of the material, the angle of divergence being between about 0.5-10° to the vertical, and preferably substantially continuous. Providing such a screen assembly reduces the radial compression of material thereon, and increases the volume and rate of liquid that can flow through the material and be removed through the screen surface compared to a non-diverging screen surface (that is a right-cylindrical surface).