Abstract: A method of continuously loading fibers in a fiber suspension with calcium carbonate. The fibers include a fiber wall surrounding a lumen. A reactant solid in the form of calcium oxide and/or calcium hydroxide is mixed into the fiber suspension with a resultant initial process pH of between 11 and 12. The fiber suspension is transported at a consistency of between approximately 15 and 30% into an inner chamber of a closed reactor. A reactant gas is injected into the reactor, whereby the reactor is pressurized to a pressure between 5 and 150 psi. A temperature of the fiber suspension within the reactor is controlled at a range between −10° C. and 80° C. The fibers within the fiber suspension are loaded with calcium carbonate as a result of a chemical reaction between the reactant solid and the reactant gas in the reactor over a predetermined reaction time.

Abstract: During the chemical process of loading with calcium carbonate fibers contained in a pulp suspension, a medium containing calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide is added to the pulp suspension. This treated pulp suspension is charged in at least one reactor with pure carbon dioxide (or a medium containing carbon dioxide), which, during the progression of the reaction, converts at least a significant portion of the starting materials (calcium oxide and/or calcium hydroxide and carbon dioxide) into the reaction products, calcium carbonate and water. This reaction is accomplished by properly controlling the pulp suspension's pH.

Abstract: For a process and an apparatus for loading fibers contained in a pulp suspension with calcium carbonate, a calcium oxide and/or a medium containing calcium hydroxide is fed to the pulp suspension, and the so treated pulp suspension is further charged in several reactors with pure carbon dioxide or a medium containing carbon dioxide. The reactors can be connected in series and/or in parallel.

Abstract: A revolver valve includes a housing with a cylindrical inner chamber, and a pair of end caps respectively attached to each end of the housing. One of the end caps includes an inlet opening and the other end cap includes an outlet opening. A cylindrical rotor body is rotatably disposed within the inner chamber of the housing. The rotor body includes a pair of end faces respectively positioned closely adjacent to the end caps, and a plurality of longitudinally extending cylinders extending between the end faces. Each cylinder is positioned generally concentrically about an axis of rotation of the rotor body, whereby the plurality of cylinders are sequentially disposed in communication with the inlet opening and the outlet opening during rotation of the rotor body within the inner chamber during use. The revolver valve is preferably used in a fiber stock preparation system in conjunction with a fiber loading apparatus having a pressurized vessel.

Abstract: A device treats a fiber stock suspension with at least one additive, the fiber stock suspension being used for production of at least one of paper and cardboard. The fiber stock suspension includes a suspension medium and a fiber material. The fiber material has fiber surfaces, the fiber surfaces being moistened by the suspension medium. The device includes a fluffer having an inlet for receiving at least one of the fiber stock suspension and the at least one additive. The fluffer is coupled to the inlet, the fluffer being configured for separating the fiber material and enlarging a specific surface of the fiber surfaces.

Abstract: A pulper in a stock preparation system includes a housing with a fiber inlet, at least one water inlet, at least one outlet and an inner chamber. A plurality of stationary pulping foils are attached to the housing and extend into the inner chamber. A rotatable shaft assembly extends through the inner chamber. The shaft assembly includes a shaft, an auger positioned around the shaft and relative to the fiber inlet and a plurality of movable pulping foils carried by and extending from the shaft. A conical valve is positioned in association with the outlet and is selectively movable to open and close the outlet.

Abstract: A pulper for pulping a fiber suspension includes a vessel, an extraction plate assembly and a rotor. The extraction plate assembly is disposed within the vessel and includes a metal plate with a plurality of holes extending therethrough. A plurality of metal inserts are respectively disposed within the holes and project from the plate. Each insert is removably attached to the plate. A rotor is disposed within the vessel adjacent to the extraction plate assembly. The inserts are removably attached to the plate by brazing the inserts within the holes, or slightly shrinking the inserts using liquid nitrogen and placing the inserts in the holes.

Abstract: A revolver valve includes a housing with a cylindrical inner chamber, and a pair of end caps respectively attached to each end of the housing. One of the end caps includes an inlet opening and the other end cap includes an outlet opening. A cylindrical rotor body is rotatably disposed within the inner chamber of the housing. The rotor body includes a pair of end faces respectively positioned closely adjacent to the end caps, and a plurality of longitudinally extending cylinders extending between the end faces. Each cylinder is positioned generally concentrically about an axis of rotation of the rotor body, whereby the plurality of cylinders are sequentially disposed in communication with the inlet opening and the outlet opening during rotation of the rotor body within the inner chamber during use. The revolver valve is preferably used in a fiber stock preparation system in conjunction with a fiber loading apparatus having a pressurized vessel.

Abstract: A washer for washing a fiber suspension includes a porous surface traveling in a running direction and having a width in a direction transverse to the running direction. The porous surface is configured for carrying the fiber suspension thereon. A shower includes a pipe extending parallel to the width of the porous surface. The pipe has a sidewall with a longitudinally extending slot therein. The shower further includes a pair of lips connected to the pipe. The lips are positioned immediately adjacent to and on opposite sides of the slot, thereby defining a slot nozzle with a discharge gap. The lips are movable toward and away from each other to adjust the size of the discharge gap.

Abstract: An apparatus for screening foreign matter from dry recycled paper includes a feed device with an outlet for discharging the recycled paper. A frustroconical shaped drum has an open wide end positioned adjacent to the discharge outlet for receiving the recycled paper and an open narrow end for discharging the recycled paper. The drum is rotatable during use about an axis of rotation and has a shell with a plurality of foils attached to an inside surface thereof for moving the recycled paper through the drum from the wide end to the narrow end. The shell has a plurality of holes therein which are sized to allow the foreign matter to fall therethrough via gravitational force and to prevent substantially all of the recycled paper from falling therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus providing process water used for making or processing a fiber suspension includes a multi-compartment tank with a top, a bottom wall, and a plurality of exterior sidewalls. Each compartment has an inlet positioned near the top, an outlet positioned near the bottom wall, and at least one intervening wall common with an adjacent compartment. Each intervening wall has a height defining an overflow weir whereby the compartments are arranged with sequentially decreasing maximum fluid levels. Each intervening wall also has a backflow device positioned near the bottom wall. The backflow device is selectively openable to allow flow from one compartment to an adjacent compartment in a direction opposite to a flow direction over the corresponding overflow weir.

Abstract: A screen basket for filtering an aqueous fiber suspension includes a cylindrical foraminous filter element, anchoring collars surrounding and fixed to opposite ends of the filter element, at least two support rings surrounding the filter element, and support rods for adjusting the support rings between axially contracted positions disengaged from the anchoring collars, and axially expanded positions engaging the anchoring collars and axially tensioning the filter element. In a first embodiment, the anchoring collars are relatively flexible. This allows the anchoring collars to be deformed for insertion of the cylindrical foraminous filter element within the support rings. Alternatively, the upper and lower support rings are divided into segments that are easily disassembled and reassembled to facilitate removal of a defective cylindrical foraminous filter element and installation of a new filter element.