Abstract: A screening apparatus is used for screening acceptable and rejectable material from a pressurized fiber suspension. The screening apparatus includes a housing, a rotor, a screen basket and at least one sensor. The screen basket is positioned generally concentrically around the rotor, and includes at least one screen element. Each sensor is positioned in association with the screen basket. Each sensor is configured for sensing a wear parameter relating to a wear state of the screen element.

Abstract: A pulper for pulping a fiber source includes a tank and a rotor. The tank has a plurality of annular-shaped inner walls defining a chamber. The plurality of walls include a first wall, second wall, third wall and forth wall which are sequentially vertically adjoining relative to each other. Each of the walls are disposed at an angle relative to a vertical reference. The first wall is disposed at an angle of between 45 and 70° relative to the vertical reference. The second wall is disposed at an angle of between 20 and 45° relative to the vertical reference. The third wall is disposed generally parallel to the vertical reference. The forth wall is disposed at an angle of between 10 and 30° relative to the vertical reference. The tank further includes two baffles within the chamber which inhibit rotational movement of the fiber source within the chamber.

Abstract: A pulper for pulping a fiber source includes a tank and a rotor. The tank has a plurality of annular-shaped inner walls defining a chamber. The plurality of walls include a first wall, second wall, third wall and forth wall which are sequentially vertically adjoining relative to each other. Each of the walls are disposed at an angle relative to a vertical reference. The first wall is disposed at an angle of between 45 and 70° relative to the vertical reference. The second wall is disposed at an angle of between 20 and 45° relative to the vertical reference. The third wall is disposed generally parallel to the vertical reference. The forth wall is disposed at an angle of between 10 and 30° relative to the vertical reference. The tank further includes two baffles within the chamber which inhibit rotational movement of the fiber source within the chamber.

Abstract: A washing system for washing a fiber suspension associated with a fiber stock preparation system, includes a plurality of rolls and a porous fabric carried by the plurality of rolls in a closed loop. The closed loop includes a lower run defining a washing zone, with the porous fabric moving in a running direction through the washing zone. The porous fabric has an upper surface in the washing zone which carries the fiber suspension thereon. A headbox is positioned with the closed loop and above the porous fabric at an upstream end of the washing zone. The headbox discharges a fiber suspension to be washed onto the upper surface of the porous fabric. An accept removal device is positioned within the closed loop and above the porous fabric at a downstream end of the washing zone. A plurality of showers, each having an inlet, are positioned within the closed loop and above the porous fabric in the washing zone between the headbox and accept removal device.

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.