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: 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 mixer, having a unique rotor, is particularly suitable for mixing paper pulp having a consistency of about 6-15% (medium consistency) with a bleaching gas having an ozone content of at least one percent, and typically at least six percent. The rotor comprises a disc shaped base, a hub at the center of the base for connecting it to a drive mechanism for driving the rotor at an angular velocity of 1000-6000 rpm, and one or more rings concentric with the base and extending outwardly from the base at least about three inches (and of the same for different heights). A number of blades may extend radially through the center of the base along the contour of the rings, extending outwardly from the base, rings, and hub. Degassing holes may be formed in the hub and connected up to a suitable degassing structure in the mixer. The rings may have a cross-sectional shape corresponding to that of a truncated right circular cone frustum, or may have a rectangular cross-section.

Abstract: Located within the annular screen of the pressure diffuser is a tubular baffle hung from adjacent the top of the vessel. The baffle has two headers disposed on its inner surface, with openings in the tube providing communication between the exterior of the tube and the headers. A conduit extends from each header to an arm at the top of the vessel, to allow extracted liquid to be discharged. Another extraction conduit is provided at the bottom of the vessel, in communication with the screen interior and the tubular baffle interior. Treatment liquid, such as wash liquid, may be introduced at two, three, or more positions along the vessel with the liquid extracted from the first and second headers being introduceable at different positions along the vessel. A flexible, elastomeric material, sealing element with integral annular skirt may extend from the bottom end of the tubular baffle and engage the screen to provide a seal minimizing mixing between stages.

Abstract: In a pressure diffuser, clogging of the tapered inlet passageway at the bottom of the vessel is minimized by providing a number of lubricating fluid introducing nipples disposed circumferentially around the annular passageway. The nipples introduce lubricating fluid so that it flows upwardly along the inner wall of the vessel. The vessel inner wall and the bottom support for the screen at the passageway are polished and free of projections, so that friction is minimized. The nipples are provided in sets that are staggered so that a nozzle is placed about every 15.degree. around the circumference of the vessel, and a common annular header--mounted on the support legs of the vessel--provides the lubricating fluid. Should screen movement slow as a result of paper pulp properties near the screen bottom support, the flow rate of lubricating liquid can be increased so as to significantly dilute the pulp at the passageway until slow movement of the screen is overcome.

Abstract: The proper pressure conditions are maintained within an atmospheric pre-steaming chips bin used in the production of paper pulp. Extending upwardly from the top of the chips bin is a vertical section of conduit, an elbow section, and a horizontal section. A door guide with a door opening in it is disposed in the horizontal section and precludes passage of gas through the horizontal section except through the door opening. A pivot pin mounts a door at its top so that it normally assumes a vertical orientation closing off the opening, and it is adjustably biased into that orientation by a counterweight mechanism. The counterweight includes weight discs which mount on a vertical section of rod having external screw threads, and a horizontal section of rod is connected by a flange to a flange of the pivot pin.