Patents by Inventor Vidar Snekkenes

Vidar Snekkenes has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8691049
    Abstract: The method is for the production of cellulose pulp in a continuous digester system. Chips are impregnated in an impregnation vessel. The chips are then fed to a subsequent digester vessel in a transfer fluid. A black liquor withdrawal is taken from the digester, which withdrawal is led to the bottom to heat the chips before the chips are fed out from the impregnation vessel. A transfer fluid is withdrawn from the digester and led to the impregnation vessel to act as an impregnation fluid. At least a portion of the transfer fluid that was withdrawn from the top of the digester passes an indirect heat exchanger, in which the transfer fluid withdrawn from the top of the digester at a temperature of at least 125° C. exchanges heat indirectly with a first fluid for the production of steam from the first fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Valmet AB
    Inventor: Vidar Snekkenes
  • Patent number: 8545674
    Abstract: The method is for retrieving heat from black liquor wherein the black liquor is withdrawn from a digester in association with the production of cellulose pulp. The black liquor at the withdrawal stage maintains a first withdrawal temperature. At least a part of the black liquor is led to a heat exchanger. An exchange of heat takes place in the heat exchanger between the black liquor and a bleaching filtrate that has been obtained from the bleaching plant. The exchange of heat results in the bleaching filtrate experiencing a raise in temperature of at least 5° C., after which the heated bleaching filtrate is used in the bleaching plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Metso Paper Sweden AB
    Inventor: Vidar Snekkenes
  • Patent number: 8273212
    Abstract: The method increases the yield and improves the beatability of kraft pulp. During the progression of the cooking process, more than one cooking liquor with a dissolved content of hemicellulose is drawn off and then reintroduced to the last phases of the cooking process, to re-precipitate the hemicellulose on the fibers. The hemicellulose rich cooking liquors are adjusted so that they, upon being added to the last phase of the cooking process are optimized. Early dissolved hemicellulose has a longer chain length than the hemicellulose that dissolves in the cooking liquor in the later phases of the cooking process, and they also have different tendencies to precipitate on the wood chips softened in the cooking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Metso Paper Sweden AB
    Inventor: Vidar Snekkenes
  • Patent number: 8197639
    Abstract: The system and method reduce the liquid/wood ratio at the top of a vapor phase digester in a continuous digester plant. Chips that are to be cooked in the vapor phase digester are fed as a mixture of chips and liquid at a liquid/wood ratio that exceeds 8:1 in a transfer line to an inverted top separator arranged at the top of the vapor phase digester. The top separator feeds the chips upwardly. More than 50% of the liquid content of the mixture of chips and liquid is withdrawn in the top separator and the remaining liquid is fed out from the top separator to the top of the vapor phase digester. A pile of chips and a liquid volume are established at the top, wherein the pile of chips is disposed above the liquid surface of the liquid volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: METSO PAPER Sweden AB
    Inventor: Vidar Snekkenes
  • Patent number: 8168041
    Abstract: The device is for the dilution of dewatered cellulose pulp that maintains a consistency of 20-30% or greater. By shredding of the pulp to a finely divided dry-granulate, dilution to a homogeneous consistency in the medium consistency range can take place exclusively through hydrodynamic effects from the addition of dilution fluid. The dilution fluid is added to granulate at a position at which granulate is in free fall in a standpipe and above a level Liqlev of diluted pulp in the standpipe. A number of nozzles are arranged around the periphery of the stand pipe, directed in towards the center of the stand pipe, obliquely downwards in the direction of fall of the granulate. It is possible through this simplified procedure to avoid completely the conventional dilution screws, and this reduces the investment costs and operating costs, while at the same time unnecessary mechanical influence of the pulp fibers can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Ovivo Luxembourg S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Vidar Snekkenes, Lennart Gustavsson, Jonas Saetherasen, Goran Olsson
  • Publication number: 20120012271
    Abstract: The method and a device is for the dilution of dewatered cellulose pulp that maintains a consistency of 20-30% or greater. By shredding of the pulp to a finely divided dry-granulate, dilution to a homogeneous consistency in the medium consistency range can take place exclusively through hydrodynamic effects from the addition of dilution fluid. The dilution fluid is added to granulate at a position at which granulate is in free fall in a standpipe and above a level Liq.sub.LEV of diluted pulp in the standpipe. A number of nozzles are arranged around the periphery of the stand pipe, directed in towards the centre of the stand pipe, obliquely downwards in the direction of fall of the granulate. It is possible through this simplified procedure to avoid completely the conventional dilution screws, and this reduces the investment costs and operating costs, while at the same time unnecessary mechanical influence of the pulp fibres can be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: GLV FINANCE HUNGARY KFT.
    Inventors: Vidar Snekkenes, Lennart Gustavsson, Jonas Saetherasen, Goran Olsson
  • Patent number: 8052843
    Abstract: The vessel in which the chips are pre-treated with steam (ST) is provided with a ventilation channel at the top of the vessel for the leading away of weak gases to a weak gas system (NCG). A simple safety system has been installed with the aim of guaranteeing that these weak gases do not reach a level of concentration at which these weak gases become explosive. The safety system has a control unit (CPU) that detects a process parameter that is indicative of the fraction of moisture in the weak gases and opens dilution lines that supply air for the dilution of the weak gases in the ventilation channel. It is appropriate that the dilution take place in stages, where the dilution lines are opened in stages with successively increasing temperature of the weak gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Metso Paper Sweden AB
    Inventors: Vidar Snekkenes, Linda Almqvist, Daniel Trolin, Lennart Gustavsson
  • Patent number: 7998310
    Abstract: A method for the impregnation of untreated chips during the manufacture of chemical pulp. The untreated chips are fed without preceding steam treatment into an impregnation vessel that has an upper part with a first area (A1) and a lower part with a second area (A2) that is larger than the first area (A1) by a factor of at least ?{square root over (2)}. The chips establish in the upper part a level of chips that is located at a level (h) above a level of fluid consisting of liquor. The chips after passage of the upper part pass through a transitional part, where an increase in area from the first area (A1) to the second area (A2) takes place, and it is here that the angle of repose of the chips is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Metso Paper Sweden AB
    Inventors: Lennart Gustavsson, Jonas Saetherasen, Vidar Snekkenes
  • Publication number: 20110100572
    Abstract: The method increases the yield and improves the beatability of kraft pulp. During the progression of the cooking process, more than one cooking liquor with a dissolved content of hemicellulose is drawn off and then reintroduced to the last phases of the cooking process, to re-precipitate the hemicellulose on the fibers. The hemicellulose rich cooking liquors are adjusted so that they, upon being added to the last phase of the cooking process are optimized. Early dissolved hemicellulose has a longer chain length than the hemicellulose that dissolves in the cooking liquor in the later phases of the cooking process, and they also have different tendencies to precipitate on the wood chips softened in the cooking process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Vidar Snekkenes
  • Patent number: 7901541
    Abstract: The method is for the impregnation of chips during the manufacture of chemical pulp. The chips are continuously fed without preceding steam treatment to the top of an impregnation vessel that maintains atmospheric pressure. Impregnation fluid (BL) is added to the impregnation vessel and establishes a fluid level (LIQ_LEV). The chips that have been added establish a chips level (CH_LEV) that lies at least 3-5 meters over the fluid level. The temperature at the top of the vessel essentially corresponds to ambient temperature. Impregnation fluid BL is fed in to the impregnation vessel in such an amount and at such a temperature that the temperature that is established at the fluid level (LIQ_LEV) is established within the interval 90-115° C., preferably within the interval 95-105° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Metso Fiber Karlstad AB
    Inventors: Vidar Snekkenes, Lennart Gustavsson, Daniel Trolin, Mats Nasman
  • Patent number: 7887671
    Abstract: The method and a device is for the dilution of dewatered cellulose pulp that maintains a consistency of 20-30% or greater. By shredding of the pulp to a finely divided dry-granulate, dilution to a homogeneous consistency in the medium consistency range can take place exclusively through hydrodynamic effects from the addition of dilution fluid. The dilution fluid is added to granulate at a position at which granulate is in free fall in a standpipe and above a level LiqLEV of diluted pulp in the standpipe. A number of nozzles are arranged around the periphery of the stand pipe, directed in towards the centre of the stand pipe, obliquely downwards in the direction of fall of the granulate. It is possible through this simplified procedure to avoid completely the conventional dilution screws, and this reduces the investment costs and operating costs, while at the same time unnecessary mechanical influence of the pulp fibres can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: GLV Finance Hungary Kft.
    Inventors: Vidar Snekkenes, Lennart Gustavsson, Jonas Saetherasen, Goran Olsson
  • Patent number: 7871491
    Abstract: The continuous digester system has an inlet defined therein for the feed of a chips suspension and an outlet for the output of a cooked suspension of pulp. The suspension of chips is fed in to the inlet through a line at the beginning of the cook, where the chips suspension has a volume of starting cooking fluid that establishes a fluid/wood ratio that is greater than 3.5. A final cooking fluid is present during the cook for the major part of the cock and is withdrawn through a withdrawal strainer only during the final 15 minutes of the cook. The final cooking fluid ensures a fluid/wood ratio that is greater than 3.5 in association with the withdrawal. The withdrawn final cooking fluid during the final 15 minutes of the cook consists of spent black liquor that maintains a residual alkali level that lies under 15 g/l.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Metso Fiber Karlstad AB
    Inventors: Vidar Snekkenes, Mikael Lindstrom
  • Publication number: 20100326611
    Abstract: The system and method reduce the liquid/wood ratio at the top of a vapor phase digester in a continuous digester plant. Chips that are to be cooked in the vapor phase digester are fed as a mixture of chips and liquid at a liquid/wood ratio that exceeds 8:1 in a transfer line to an inverted top separator arranged at the top of the vapor phase digester. The top separator feeds the chips upwardly. More than 50% of the liquid content of the mixture of chips and liquid is withdrawn in the top separator and the remaining liquid is fed out from the top separator to the top of the vapor phase digester. A pile of chips and a liquid volume are established at the top, wherein the pile of chips is disposed above the liquid surface of the liquid volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Vidar Snekkenes
  • Patent number: 7837834
    Abstract: The continuous digester system has an inlet defined therein for the feed of a chips suspension and an outlet for the output of a cooked suspension of pulp. The suspension of chips is fed in to the inlet through a line at the beginning of the cook, where the chips suspension has a volume of starting cooking fluid that establishes a fluid/wood ratio that is greater than 3.5. A final cooking fluid is present during the cook for the major part of the cook and is withdrawn through a withdrawal strainer only during the final 15 minutes of the cook. The final cooking fluid ensures a fluid/wood ratio that is greater than 3.5 in association with the withdrawal. The withdrawn final cooking fluid during the final 15 minutes of the cook consists of spent black liquor that maintains a residual alkali level that lies under 15 g/l.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Metso Fiber Karlstad AB
    Inventors: Vidar Snekkenes, Mikael Lindstrom
  • Publication number: 20100132897
    Abstract: The continuous digester system has an inlet defined therein for the feed of a chips suspension and an outlet for the output of a cooked suspension of pulp. The suspension or chips is fed in to the inlet through a line at the beginning of the cook, where the chips suspension has a volume of starting cooking fluid that establishes a fluid/wood ratio that is greater than 3.5. A final cooking fluid is present during the cook for the major part of the cock and is withdrawn through a withdrawal strainer only during the final 15 minutes of the cook. The final cooking fluid ensures a fluid/wood ratio that is greater than 3.5 in association with the withdrawal. The withdrawn final cooking fluid during the final 15 minutes of the cook consists of spent black liquor that maintains a residual alkali level that lies under 15 g/l.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Vidar Snekkenes, Mikael Lindstrom
  • Patent number: 7713383
    Abstract: The method and arrangement is for the feed of a chips suspension from one vessel to a subsequent digester in a continuous cooking process for the production of chemical cellulose pulp. The vessel has an inlet defined therein for the input of chips and an outlet defined therein for the output of a chips suspension. The chips suspension in the vessel has a first fluid/wood ratio established above a second fluid/wood ratio that is established at the bottom of the vessel. The second fluid/wood ratio is at least as great as, preferably greater than, the first fluid/wood ratio. After the output of the chips suspension from the vessel and before the chips suspension is placed under pressure for onwards transport to a subsequent digester, a fraction of fluid is withdrawn from the chips suspension, whereby a third fluid/wood ratio is established in the chips suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Metso Fiber Karlstad AB
    Inventors: Jonas Saetherasen, Vidar Snekkenes, Bo Wilke, Lennart Gustavsson
  • Patent number: 7686919
    Abstract: The continuous digester system has an inlet defined therein for the feed of a chips suspension and an outlet for the output of a cooked suspension of pulp. The suspension or chips is fed in to the inlet through a line at the beginning of the cook, where the chips suspension has a volume of starting cooking fluid that establishes a fluid/wood ratio that is greater than 3.5. A final cooking fluid is present during the cook for the major part of the cook and is withdrawn through a withdrawal strainer only during the final 15 minutes of the cook. The final cooking fluid ensures a fluid/wood ratio that is greater than 3.5 in association with the withdrawal. The withdrawn final cooking fluid during the final 15 minutes of the cook consists of spent black liquor that maintains a residual alkali level that lies under 15 g/l.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Metso Fiber Karlstad AB
    Inventors: Vidar Snekkenes, Mikael Lindstrom
  • Publication number: 20100071861
    Abstract: The method is for the production of cellulose pulp in a continuous digester system. Chips are impregnated in an impregnation vessel. The chips are then fed to a subsequent digester vessel in a transfer fluid. A black liquor withdrawal is taken from the digester, which withdrawal is led to the bottom to heat the chips before the chips are fed out from the impregnation vessel. A transfer fluid is withdrawn from the digester and led to the impregnation vessel to act as an impregnation fluid. At least a portion of the transfer fluid that was withdrawn from the top of the digester passes an indirect heat exchanger, in which the transfer fluid withdrawn from the top of the digester at a temperature of at least 125° C. exchanges heat indirectly with a first fluid for the production of steam from the first fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: Vidar Snekkenes
  • Publication number: 20100012283
    Abstract: The method is for retrieving heat from black liquor wherein the black liquor is withdrawn from a digester in association with the production of cellulose pulp. The black liquor at the withdrawal stage maintains a first withdrawal temperature. At least a part of the black liquor is led to a heat exchanger. An exchange of heat takes place in the heat exchanger between the black liquor and a bleaching filtrate that has been obtained from the bleaching plant. The exchange of heat results in the bleaching filtrate experiencing a raise in temperature of at least 5° C., after which the heated bleaching filtrate is used in the bleaching plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Vidar Snekkenes
  • Publication number: 20090301673
    Abstract: The vessel in which the chips are pre-treated with steam (ST) is provided with a ventilation channel at the top of the vessel for the leading away of weak gases to a weak gas system (NCG). A simple safety system has been installed with the aim of guaranteeing that these weak gases do not reach a level of concentration at which these weak gases become explosive. The safety system has a control unit (CPU) that detects a process parameter that is indicative of the fraction of moisture in the weak gases and opens dilution lines that supply air for the dilution of the weak gases in the ventilation channel. It is appropriate that the dilution take place in stages, where the dilution lines are opened in stages with successively increasing temperature of the weak gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Vidar Snekkenes, Linda Almqvist, Daniel Trolin, Lennart Gustavsson