Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, that adjust a high-pressure feeder of a feed system used in pulp production based on the fluid leakage through a low-pressure outlet of a high-pressure feeder. Methods can include obtaining multiple flow values, including (1) a make-up liquor flow value, (2) a black liquor flow value, (3) a white liquor flow value, (4) a chip chute circulation flow value, and (5) a high pressure feeder purge flow value. Methods can include determining a chip flow value specifying a flow of chips provided to the high-pressure feeder. Based on the flow values, methods can determine a fluid leakage value specifying an amount of fluid leakage through a gap between a pocket rotor and the housing of the high pressure feeder. Methods can adjust an annular gap based on the fluid leakage value satisfies a threshold leakage value.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a rotary feeder for transferring comminuted fibrous material is provided having as components: a rotary feeder housing, having at least one inlet opening for receiving material (chips) and at least one opening for discharging material (chips), and an internal shear edge assembly adjacent the inlet; wherein a protective baffle (doctor blade) is adjacent to the shear edge assembly; a rotor, rotatably mounted with the rotary feeder housing and having pockets for accepting material introduced to the rotary feeder housing; and a power source which rotates the rotor in said housing; and wherein the rotary feeder housing has a recess along the length of the rotor in the inlet at an exit end of the inlet, the recess being of sufficient size to allow the shear edge assembly and doctor blade to sit within the recess.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a level indicator assembly for measuring the level of solids in a vessel. The level indicator may desirably comprise a solid shaft extending into a vessel. The shaft may have paddle connected to an interior end of the shaft and an external sensor attached to an exterior end of the shaft. A support structure may engage the sensor to prevent at least a portion of the sensor from moving. By keeping a portion of the sensor stationary, the sensor may measure the change in torsional force exerted on the shaft. By locating the sensor external to the vessel, operators may remove and replace sensors without accessing either the vessel interior or the portions of the level indicator assembly that extend into the vessel.

Abstract: A mounting and support mechanism for a rotary feeder gear motor having an adjusting housing, wherein the adjusting housing includes a support flange adjacent the gear motor, a hollow adjusting housing and a support flange adjacent a stationary feeder end cover. Contained within the adjusting housing is a carrier extension wherein the carrier extension at one end encases a stationary bushing, the stationary bushing houses an adjusting shaft to provide movement of a rotor assembly axially, and at the opposite end the carrier extension connects to a bearing carrier mechanism.

Abstract: A mounting and support mechanism for a rotary feeder gear motor having an adjusting housing, wherein the adjusting housing includes a support flange adjacent the gear motor, a hollow adjusting housing and a support flange adjacent a stationary feeder end cover. Contained within the adjusting housing is a carrier extension wherein the carrier extension at one end encases a stationary bushing, the stationary bushing houses an adjusting shaft to provide movement of a rotor assembly axially, and at the opposite end the carrier extension connects to a bearing carrier mechanism.

Abstract: A mounting and support mechanism for a rotary feeder gear motor having an adjusting housing, wherein the adjusting housing includes a support flange adjacent the gear motor, a hollow adjusting housing and a support flange adjacent a stationary feeder end cover. Contained within the adjusting housing is a carrier extension wherein the carrier extension at one end encases a stationary bushing, the stationary bushing houses an adjusting shaft to provide movement of a rotor assembly axially, and at the opposite end the carrier extension connects to a bearing carrier mechanism.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a level indicator assembly for measuring the level of solids in a vessel. The level indicator may desirably comprise a solid shaft extending into a vessel. The shaft may have paddle connected to an interior end of the shaft and an external sensor attached to an exterior end of the shaft. A support structure may engage the sensor to prevent at least a portion of the sensor from moving. By keeping a portion of the sensor stationary, the sensor may measure the change in torsional force exerted on the shaft. By locating the sensor external to the vessel, operators may remove and replace sensors without accessing either the vessel interior or the portions of the level indicator assembly that extend into the vessel.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a rotary feeder for transferring comminuted fibrous material is provided having as components: a rotary feeder housing, having at least one inlet opening for receiving material (chips) and at least one opening for discharging material (chips), and an internal shear edge assembly adjacent the inlet; wherein a protective baffle (doctor blade) is adjacent to the shear edge assembly; a rotor, rotatably mounted with the rotary feeder housing and having pockets for accepting material introduced to the rotary feeder housing; and a power source which rotates the rotor in said housing; and wherein the rotary feeder housing has a recess along the length of the rotor in the inlet at an exit end of the inlet, the recess being of sufficient size to allow the shear edge assembly and doctor blade to sit within the recess.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive assembly for a large pre-existing pressurized digester vessel and a method of installation of the hydraulic drive assembly have been conceived. Such a device includes a stub shaft which has a lower end and an upper end. The lower end engages with a hydraulic drive and the upper end is coupled to a drive shaft. The coupling further includes a top coupling and a bottom coupling. The top coupling is coupled to the drive shaft, and the bottom coupling is coupled to the stub shaft. A drive support bracket is attached to the hydraulic drive and then attached to the drive support bracket by at least one sole plate that is fixed to a foundation. The hydraulic drive assembly installation method is utilized when removing an electric motor and mechanical transmission device and replacing it with a hydraulic drive assembly.

Abstract: A mounting and support mechanism for a rotary feeder gear motor having an adjusting housing, wherein the adjusting housing includes a support flange adjacent the gear motor, a hollow adjusting housing and a support flange adjacent a stationary feeder end cover. Contained within the adjusting housing is a carrier extension wherein the carrier extension at one end encases a stationary bushing, the stationary bushing houses an adjusting shaft to provide movement of a rotor assembly axially, and at the opposite end the carrier extension connects to a bearing carrier mechanism.

Abstract: A flash tank including: a closed interior chamber; a gas exhaust port coupled to an upper portion of the chamber; a liquid discharge port coupled to a lower portion of the chamber; an inlet nozzle attached to an inlet port of the chamber, wherein the inlet nozzle includes a flow passage, and a movable valve plate in the flow passage, wherein the valve plate has a first position which defines a first throat in the flow passage and a second position which defines a second throat having a smaller cross-sectional area than the first throat.

Abstract: A flash tank including: a closed interior chamber; a gas exhaust port coupled to an upper portion of the chamber; a liquid discharge port coupled to a lower portion of the chamber; an inlet nozzle attached to an inlet port of the chamber, wherein the inlet nozzle includes a flow passage, and a movable valve plate in the flow passage, wherein the valve plate has a first position which defines a first throat in the flow passage and a second position which defines a second throat having a smaller cross-sectional area than the first throat.

Abstract: A flash tank including: a closed interior chamber; a gas exhaust port coupled to an upper portion of the chamber; a liquid discharge port coupled to a lower portion of the chamber; an inlet nozzle attached to an inlet port of the chamber, wherein the inlet nozzle includes a flow passage, and a movable valve plate in the flow passage, wherein the valve plate has a first position which defines a first throat in the flow passage and a second position which defines a second throat having a smaller cross-sectional area than the first throat.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive assembly for a large pre-existing pressurized digester vessel and a method of installation of the hydraulic drive assembly have been conceived. Such a device includes a stub shaft which has a lower end and an upper end. The lower end engages with a hydraulic drive and the upper end is coupled to a drive shaft. The coupling further includes a top coupling and a bottom coupling. The top coupling is coupled to the drive shaft, and the bottom coupling is coupled to the stub shaft. A drive support bracket is attached to the hydraulic drive and then attached to the drive support bracket by at least one sole plate that is fixed to a foundation. The hydraulic drive assembly installation method is utilized when removing an electric motor and mechanical transmission device and replacing it with a hydraulic drive assembly.

Abstract: A pressure diffuser washer comprising: an outer wall, an inner wall adjacent to the outer wall, the inner wall defining annular baffle chambers between the outer wall and the inner wall, wherein each of the annular baffle chambers is configured to connect to a source of a wash liquid, a reciprocating screen assembly adjacent to the inner wall, the reciprocating screen assembly defining a first annular chamber between the inner wall and the reciprocating screen assembly, an area in the inner wall defining a gap associated with each of the annular baffle chambers, wherein the wash liquid from an annular baffle chamber flows through the gap into the first annular chamber, and an annular baffle screen plate covering the gap, wherein the annular baffle screen plate defines openings sized to prevent rocks and other large particulate debris from entering the annular baffle chambers.

Abstract: A pressure diffuser washer comprising: an outer wall, an inner wall adjacent to the outer wall, the inner wall defining annular baffle chambers between the outer wall and the inner wall, wherein each of the annular baffle chambers is configured to connect to a source of a wash liquid, a reciprocating screen assembly adjacent to the inner wall, the reciprocating screen assembly defining a first annular chamber between the inner wall and the reciprocating screen assembly, an area in the inner wall defining a gap associated with each of the annular baffle chambers, wherein the wash liquid from an annular baffle chamber flows through the gap into the first annular chamber, and an annular baffle screen plate covering the gap, wherein the annular baffle screen plate defines openings sized to prevent rocks and other large particulate debris from entering the annular baffle chambers.

Abstract: A rotary high pressure feeder for feeding cellulosic fibrous material including: a rotor rotatable about an axis and comprising at least one pocket having a conduit extending through the rotor in a direction perpendicular to the axis and having end openings at opposite ends of the pocket, wherein each of said end openings of each pocket functions as both an inlet and outlet depending upon an angular position of the rotor within a housing; the housing encloses said rotor and said housing includes a low pressure inlet port and a low pressure outlet port radially opposed to the low pressure inlet port, and a high pressure inlet port and a high pressure outlet port aligned horizontally, wherein the ports are arranged on the housing for registry with the end openings of at least one pocket, and a screen grid seated in or adjacent to the low pressure outlet port, wherein the screen grid includes an array of screen slots and bars forming a uniform pattern of slots and bars extending without interruption across an en

Abstract: A bearing cylinder for a screen assembly of a pressurized pulp diffuser, the bearing cylinder including: a plurality of segments of the bearing cylinder wherein the segments are arranged side-by-side to form the bearing cylinder; and each of said segments includes a first region formed of a hard material resistant to damage from sand and rocks, and a second region formed of a soft material that thermally expands and conforms to bearing surfaces opposite to the bearing cylinder.

Abstract: An outlet device and motor assembly for a pressured vessel is disclosed, where the assembly includes: a generally vertical drive shaft extending below and through the vessel and coupled to a rotating mechanism within the vessel; a stationary outlet housing supporting the drive shaft; a thrust bearing mounted on the outlet housing and around the drive shaft to rotationally engage the drive shaft; a hydraulic drive coupled to rotationally drive the drive shaft, and a radial bearing mounted around the drive shaft to rotationally engage the drive shaft and said radial bearing is at or below the hydraulic drive.

Abstract: A rotary high pressure feeder for processing cellulosic fibrous material including: a rotor rotatable about an axis and comprising at least one pocket comprising a conduit extending through the rotor in a direction perpendicular to the axis and having end openings at opposite ends of the pocket, wherein each of said end openings of each pocket functions as both an inlet and outlet depending upon an angular position of the rotor within a housing; the housing encloses said rotor and said housing includes a low pressure inlet port and a low pressure outlet port aligned vertically, and a high pressure inlet port and a high pressure outlet port aligned horizontally, wherein the ports are arranged on the housing for registry with the end openings of at least one pocket, and a screen grid seated in or adjacent to the low pressure outlet port, wherein the screen grid includes an array of screen slots and bars forming a uniform pattern of slots and bars extending without interruption across an entirety of the low pres