Abstract: A mill for the processing and production of wood pulp is contained substantially entirely within a single, integral structure that defines a unitarily-covered space substantially bounding and enclosing the mill. The mill includes a main control room or station for overall monitoring and control of pulp processing operations in the mill, the main control station being disposed substantially centrally within the covered space, and a plurality of processing stations at which various pulp processing operations take place in a generally sequential manner or order.

Abstract: A chip bin construction, ideally suited for bins having a maximum diameter of twelve feet or more, uniformly discharges chips, after steaming, without the necessity of a vibratory discharge. A hollow transition portion is provided between a main body which is a right circular cylinder of a first diameter, and a nonvibrating discharge which has a second diameter typically 1/3 or less that of the first diameter. The hollow transition includes a first, uppermost, portion having a generally right rectangular parallelepiped configuration including opposite side faces having generally triangular shapes, and providing one dimensional convergence and side relief; a second portion tapering from a generally rectangular parallelpiped configuration at an upper part to a generally circular configuration at a lower part and having opposite side faces having generally triangular shapes which align with said first portion generally triangular shapes to define substantially diamond shaped wall portions.

Abstract: A system for feeding wood chips entrained in cooking liquor to a high pressure feeder connected to a continuous digester includes a vertical treatment (e.g. steaming) vessel, a metering device connected to the discharge from the steaming vessel, a generally vertical chip chute extending downwardly from the metering device, and a slurry pump having an inlet. The slurry pump pumps the slurry from an outlet thereof to a high pressure feeder low pressure inlet. In order to minimize the effect of changes in liquid volume upon the operation of the system, and to provide separate control of liquor volume and chip volume, a substantially vertical liquor tank having a top and bottom the bottom including a discharge opening above the slurry pump inlet is provided. A conduit directly connects the liquor tank discharge opening with the slurry pump inlet. A pressure isolating device may be used in the system if it is to operate at superatmospheric pressure rather than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The flow patterns of the wood/paper pulp in a paper pulp treatment tower are controlled to provide for even flow through and discharge of the pulp from the upper end of the tower. Flow-altering fluids are injected into the pulp stock in the tower via appropriately positioned nozzles which create flow-altering fluid streams in the pulp stock. The streams are operable to produce either an inwardly directed pulp flow, or an outwardly directed pulp flow, whichever is desired. The system results in smooth, relatively even movement of the pulp stock from the bottom of the tower to the top, so that each fraction of the pulp mass will spend substantially the same dwell time in the tower, whereby the pulp mass is evenly processed and reacted in the tower. The resultant treated stock is superior to pulp stock treated in a tower without such flow controls.

Abstract: A chip bin for wood chips in a continuous digester system includes internal steaming that is controlled in response to both the interior temperature across the level of chips in the bin, and the level of chips in the bin, so as to substantially prevent cool, non-condensible gas-laden chips from accumulating at the top of the chip column in the bin, and to substantially prevent steam blow-through. The temperature probe used in the chip bin has a temperature sensing portion with a length of about ten to twenty feet instead of the conventional five foot length, and extends across the level of the chips to a position about five feet below the level of chips. Control of steam added to the bin is provided utilizing a controller which controls the position of one or more valves in one or more steam conduits, each valve having multiple open positions and a closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for the discharge of a mass tower containing medium to high consistency pulp and operable without the need for further dilution includes a vessel for storing the pulp; a suction duct extending from a zone of moving pulp to a region outside of the tower; and a pump attached to the end of the suction duct for discharging the pulp.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for bleaching high consistency lignocellulosic pulp using ozone supplied in an ozone containing gas. The bleaching reactor apparatus according to the invention is a generally cylindrical vessel itself being rotatable or with a rotatable shaft having radially extending paddles arranged in a configuration to minimize axial dispersion of the pulp and maximize radial dispersion of the pulp to provide a radially dispersed plug flow of pulp through the reactor in the presence of the ozone to provide substantially uniformly bleached pulp.

Abstract: A chip bin construction, ideally suited for bins having a maximum diameter of twelve feet or more, uniformly discharges chips, after steaming, without the necessity of a vibratory discharge. A hollow transition portion is provided between a hollow substantially right circular cylindrical main body and a rectangular discharge. The hollow transition may have a substantially circular cross-section open top and a substantially rectangular cross-section open bottom and opposite non-vertical gradually tapering side walls. At least one feed screw may be mounted at the open bottom of the transition for cooperation with the discharge, and the feed screw(s)--or the equivalent--may provide for metering of the chips. Alternatively, the hollow transition portion may provide one dimensional convergence and side relief, and no screw feeders need be provided, in which case a conventional chip meter is used.

Abstract: A system is provided for feeding wood or annual plant chips to continuous digesters for producing paper pulp. The system comprises two stages: in a first, impregnation stage, the chips are impregnated with a sufficient amount of chemical reagents to allow them to be hot-digested by impregnation in alkaline or alkaline-earth solutions, then drained. In the case of annual plants, the plants are mechanically mixed with alkaline and/or alkaline-earth reagents and a minimal quantity of hot water to obtain a wet fiber-like mixture. In the second stage, the material impregnated above is pumped directly into a pressurized digester (1) by a hydraulic piston pump (2). A plug (4) formed in the pipe (3) between the pump and the digester provides the required seal and pressure resistance.

Abstract: A chip feeding system for a continuous digester provides for a greater rate of delivery of chip slurry to the digester, and is much less expensive than conventional chip feeding systems, typically being only 40-50% of the height of the conventional system. An atmospheric vessel may be connected at the bottom thereof to a slurry pump which pumps the chip slurry to a conventional high pressure feeder. A recirculation loop for returning liquid from the feeder to the vessel may include an atmospheric level tank, and a liquid cooler. The vessel may have one dimensional convergence and side relief, and instead of a conventional cylindrical chip bin, the chip bin may have a hopper having two transitions with one dimensional convergence and side relief. The chip bin also may be at atmospheric pressure so that no low pressure feeder between the bin and vessel is necessary.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for bleaching high consistency lignocellulosic pulp using ozone supplied in an ozone containing gas. The bleaching reactor apparatus according to the invention is a generally cylindrical vessel with a rotatable shaft having radially extending paddles arranged in a configuration to minimize axial dispersion of the pulp and maximize radial dispersion of the pulp to provide a radially dispersed plug flow of pulp through the reactor in the presence of the ozone to provide substantially uniformly bleached pulp.

Abstract: An energy efficient process for hydrolyzing lignocellulosic materials which comprises using a primary system by providing a start-up energy input to operating saturated steam conditions and thereafter operating the primary system with substantially constant energy input, the condition of the hydrolyzing saturated steam being controlled by water injection and/or steam bleeding from the primary system. The dwell time of the solids stream in the primary sustem is controlled by controlling its passage with flashing off of steam into a secondary system where drying occurs together with some small measure of hydrolysis in a lower pressure superheated steam environment, there being an energy input into the secondary system using steam bled from the primary system. The output solids material stream is preferably capable of being self polymerized into a formed shape eg a board.

Abstract: A two stage ozone-pulp bleaching method and apparatus are disclosed. In the first stage, high consistency pulp particles are turbulently mixed and contacted with a gaseous mixture containing ozone to mix and contact substantially all of the pulp particles with ozone to react at least a portion of the pulp particles with the ozone. Pulp particles and gaseous bleaching mixture are then directed to a second stage including a quiescent pulp bed. Pulp particles may complete their reaction in the bed, which also serves to strip ozone which was not contacted with pulp particles in the first stage from the gaseous bleaching mixture.

Abstract: A simplified method and apparatus for handling black liquor (or other spent liquor from the pulp industry) includes utilization of a mixing tank directly with a black liquor storage tank. The mixing tank has a side wall defined by a part of the side wall of the black liquor storage tank, and the mixing tank may either be disposed within the volume of the storage tank, or immediately exterior of it. Fly ash from a recovery boiler and make-up chemical are introduced into the mixing tank along with black liquor from evaporators, and the mixed liquid from mixing tank overflows into the interior volume of the black liquor storage tank. From the storage tank the black liquor is sent to a recovery boiler where it is burned. Also, some black liquor from the recovery boiler is recirculated to the storage tank, and introduced into the storage tank remote from the mixing tank.

Abstract: A reactor system is disclosed for the treatment of cellulosic pulp in which pulp is distributed upward through a vertical reactor using a unique conical distributor and is discharged using a unique dilution method to eliminate plugging. The system is particularly useful for delignifying virgin wood pulps or decolorizing pulps made from waste paper materials.

Abstract: A mass tower for medium or high consistency fiber suspension includes a vertically elongated circumferential side wall defining a space for receiving the fiber suspension. The bottom portion of the mass tower is filled with a material in an amount and of sufficient strength, preferably sand, gravel or concrete, to support the weight of the fiber suspension above the filling material. The filling material forms a bottom surface in contact with the fiber suspension and has an opening therein. Within the filling material is formed a flow channel in communication with the opening and extending through the filling material towards the side of the bottom portion for allowing the fiber suspension to be discharged from the mass tower. A method of manufacturing a mass tower and a method of converting an existing mass tower is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for continuously purifying a polysaccharide comprises the steps of continuously and simultaneously feeding an aqueous solution of a polysaccharide and a hydrophilic organic solvent which does not solubilize the polysaccharide, mixing these two kinds of liquids with a rotary turbine to precipitate the polysaccharide, cutting the precipitated polysaccharide with an interlocking cutter which comprises a fixed cutter and a rotary cutter, and continuously withdrawing a suspension of finely cut polysaccharide particles. The resulting polysaccharide is not in the form of strings, but in the form of fine particles and thus it is never adhered to an apparatus for purification and does not cause any retention within the apparatus. The particulate polysaccharides obtained by the method are easily separated from the resulting suspension and dehydrated.

Abstract: In the continuous cooking of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material (e.g. wood chips) to produce paper pulp, the material is subjected to a minimum of mechanical action, especially under high temperature and pressure conditions, so as to increase the quality of the pulp. Also, even for large digesters the uniformity of treatment is enhanced, and scaling may be reduced while energy efficiency is increased. Material is fed without significant steaming to a feeder screw within a perforated cylinder mounted at the bottom of an impregnation vessel. The material flows upwardly in the impregnation vessel, with screens adjacent the top of the vessel thickening the slurry before it is discharged into the top of a continuous digester. The discharge from the impregnation vessel to the continuous digester is made with a minimum of mechanical action on the pulp. The impregnation vessel may be disposed within, and concentric with, the digester, or it may located exteriorly of the digester and supply more than one digester.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating and discharging a medium, such as cellulosic fibrous material, in a container or bleaching tower includes an agitating and treating arm coupled to a rotating discharge pipe. A treatment medium or a diluting liquid is dispensed through orifices in the agitating and treating arm disposed in the bottom of the container. The cellulosic fibrous material suspension is discharged from the bleaching tower. The treatment medium or the diluting liquid is fed through the orifices in the agitating and treatment arms as a function of the state variables of the treatment medium and/or the medium to be discharged. The orifices include an obturator to open and close the orifices as a function of the pressure differential between the treatment medium and the medium to be discharged in the area of obturators during the discharge operation.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for treating lignocellulosic materials, comprising an enzymatic conversion zone adapted to enzymatically convert alcohol to aldehyde and hydrogen peroxide, a delignification zone, a device for transferring an effluent comprising aqueous hydrogen peroxide from the conversion zone to the delignification zone, a chopper for adding chopped lignocellulosic material to the delignification zone, a separator for separating solid delignified material in the delignification zone from a liquid, and a fermenter adapted to grow alcohol oxidase-producing yeast, and means for transferring alcohol oxidase from the fermenter into the conversion zone.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling the feed of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material (e.g. wood chips) to a continuous digester utilizing a chips meter of variable speed. A quality of the chips related to mass flow--preferably density--is continuously determined, preferably while the material is in free fall, not immersed in liquid. The speed of the material meter is controlled in response to the quality determined to provide a target mass flow of material from the meter to the digester. A nuclear type density gauge may be utilized having a source and a detector mounted on opposite sides of a chip chute, and above the level of liquid in a chip chute so that density is determined during free fall of the chips, not immersed in liquid. A level sensor may also be associated with the chip chute with a shield between the nuclear source and the level sensor. The chip meter speed is controlled in the range of about 0-16 rpm.

Abstract: In the continuous cooking of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material (e.g. wood chips) to produce paper pulp, the material passes upwardly in an impregnation vessel which is within and concentric with a continuous digester and open at the top to digester pressure. At the top of the impregnation vessel, a solids/liquid separator (a screw within a screen cylinder) is provided. Separated liquid is returned in a conduit adjacent the exterior of the impregnation vessel, and open at the top to digester pressure, and passes out the bottom of the digester. The impregnation vessel is welded to the bottom of the digester, and the bottom of the digester is generally hemi-spherical, and substantially devoid of packings.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for pretreatment of cellulosic chip-formed raw material by impregnation. In the process, first a vacuum treatment is carried out without preceding moistening treatment, and as soon as possible after the vacuum treatment penetration is carried out with a solution of chemicals or with water at the atmospheric or a higher solution pressure. In this way the fiber cavities can be filled optimally, which promotes a uniform and adequate diffusion of the solution into the fiber walls significantly. The process can be carried out, e.g., in a device which comprises a tank (11) for the treatment of the raw material and therein a feed opening (18) for the solution as well as an opening (14) for removal of the raw material, which said opening (14) communicates preferably with a reception tank, wherein the atmospheric or a higher pressure prevails.

Abstract: A method of digesting lignocellulose materials impregnated with solutions of hydroxides or salts of alkali or alkaline earth metals, the ratio by weight of the solution retained during the impregnation and the dry matter being less than 2, in a digester, characterized by subjecting the impregnated materials before the digestion to a treatment with live steam under a pressure equal to or greater than that present in the digester so that a part of the steam, by giving off its sensible heat to the impregnated material and condensing, assures the preheating and penetration of the impregnation liquor up to the center of the material. The time of digestion is shorter and the pulp obtained more homogeneous.

Abstract: An apparatus for delignifying and bleaching a lignocellulosic pulp without the use of elemental chlorine. The bleaching reactor is a horizontal vessel having a central rotatable shaft which preferably contains paddles, cut and folded screw flights or a ribbon flight, to disperse and advance the pulp particles in a plug flow manner while contacting and mixing the pulp particles with a gaseous bleaching agent such as ozone for substantially uniform bleaching thereof.

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.

Abstract: In a method of producing high-yield pulp from pulp chip material containing lignocellulose the material is treated with steam in a steam treating station (1) for driving air out of the material and heating the latter. Heat treated material is mixed in a mixing station (8) with a liquid containing chemicals. The mixture of steam treated material and said liquid is transferred from the mixing station to an impregnation station (25) for impregnating the material by means of said chemicals. Impregnated material is supplied to a refining station (36) for refining the material. According to the invention the steam treated material is mixed with said liquid in proportions, such that the created mixture of material and liquid leaving the mixing station (8) assumes a flowing pumpable consistency. Further, said flowing mixture is pumped from the mixing station (8) to the impregnation station (25).

Abstract: An arrangement for discharging medium consistency pulp in connection with diffeent pulp treatment devices or apparatuses, the arrangement having a mass chamber, which is arranged between a screw discharging pulp from a pulp treating apparatus and a centrifugal pump transferring the pulp further so that both the screw and the pump are substantially at the same horizontal level with the pulp treatment apparatus. Thus, the presence of a drop leg having a height of several meters is prevented, whereby the centrifugal pump has no need to pump the pulp upwards back to the height of the pulp treatment apparatus.

Abstract: A method for discharging cooked lignocellulose materials from a digester is disclosed. After batch cooking the lignocellulose material in the digester is cooled to a temperature of about 100.degree. C., preferably from 100.degree. to 120.degree. C., a gas is supplied to the upper portion of the digester to provide a gas pressure such that the combination of that gas pressure and the static pressure in the digester created by the height of cooked lignocellulose material therein exceeds by no greater than about 200 kPa the sum of the pressure required to overcome the level difference between the exit port at the bottom of the digester and an entrance port in the upper portion of a receiving vessel and the flow resistance required to transfer the cooked lignocellulose material therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus for bleaching pulp particles comprising an inner tubular shaped shell member with lifter blades mounted on its internal wall surface. The shell member is rotatably mounted within an outer shell member with seals between the shell members providing an isolated space. This space is pressurized with a gas to prevent pulp particles and gases from escaping from the inner shell member by way of the seals.

Abstract: A batch process and mechanism for cooking fibrous paper pulb including a digester wherein the pulp is cooked under elevated temperatures and pressures for a predetermined time, a discharge line leading from the lower end of the digester to a blow tank, a valve in the discharge line and cycling means connected to the valve cyclically opening and closing the valve while the contents are emptied from the digester.

Abstract: A cellulose pulp slurry is delignified in an apparatus comprising a vertical cylindrical barrel chamber, a cone-shaped bottom chamber connected to the barrel chamber and having a circular inlet formed in a lower end portion thereof, and a cone-shaped top chamber connected to the barrel chamber and having a circular outlet formed in a top end portion thereof, in which apparatus the cone-shaped top and bottom chambers converge at a convergence angle of 60 degrees or less respectively, by feeding a cellulose pulp slurry containing an alkali and oxygen and having a pulp consistency of 8 to 15% into the apparatus through the circular inlet of the bottom chamber at 70.degree. C. to 140.degree. C., and discharging the pulp slurry through the circular outlet of the top chamber, while controlling the flow speed of the pulp slurry in the barrel chamber to a level of 0.4 m/min or more.

Abstract: A method and system for cooling pulp discharged from a batch type digester and recovering heat from it. A stream of pulp together with spent cooking liquor is discharged from a batch digester to a diffuser and passed through the diffuser at substantially the same pressure as that of the digester. The pulp stream is caused to flow between screens and hot spent cooking liquor is displaced with cooler liquor flowing across the pulp stream thereby lowering the temperature of the pulp stream. The displayed cooking liquor and the pulp is withdrawn from the diffuser.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding wood chips and the like into a treatment bin includes a feed tube assembly adapted to lead into the bin at a non-zero angle relative to the horizon. A plate is supported underneath the lower end of the feed tube assembly to collect in a mound wood chips fed through the feed tube. The height of the lower end of the feed tube assembly is adjusted so that the lower end of the feed tube assembly engages the mound of wood chips and thereby forms a seal with the mound. A plow is supported between the plate and the lower end of the feed tube assembly. Either the plate is stationary and the plow rotates or the plow is stationary and the plate rotates to knock wood whips from the mound off the plate. The apparatus optionally includes a feed screw mounted within and longitudinally of the feed tube assembly to compress the wood chips into the mound.

Abstract: Bamboo can be formed into a suitable pulp if prior to digestion it undergoes a process of shredding, washing and wet depithing. The fibers are then chemically digested preferably by a process which uses rapid pressure drops to open the fibers using the energy contained in the wet superheated fibers.

Abstract: For bleaching cellulose pulp or a fraction thereof, e.g. reject pulp, the cellulose pulp or fraction, having a concentration of 0.5-10%, preferably 3-6%, is introduced into a screw press comprising at least a first (47) and a second (48) dewatering zone, is dewatered in the first zone to a concentration of 20-40%, whereupon a liquor of bleach chemicals is introduced centrally into the pulp which, during continued treatment, is dewatered in the second zone to a discharge pulp concentration of 15-50, preferably 15-30%, the liquid pressed out of the second zone, together with fresh bleach chemicals, being returned to the pulp in the screw press as liquor of bleach chemicals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous fiber material treatment of a fiber column without compaction of the column. A liquid layer is disposed between upper and lower treatment zones (i.e. between a cook and wash zone), and apparatus is provided for interrupting the fiber column of the upper zone. The apparatus may include a conical table which generally supports the fiber column of the upper zone yet allows passage of fiber material from the upper zone to the lower zone to allow formation of another fiber column in the lower zone. The liquid layer area may be of the same or smaller cross-sectional area than the upper zone, and the lower zone may be horizontally offset from the upper zone if desired.

Abstract: A system is provided to produce sugars from a liquid-solid mixture containing biomass, and an acid, wherein the mixture is heated to an appropriate temperature to achieve hydrolysis. The liquid-solid mixture is introduced as a stream into the circular-cylindrical chamber of a cyclone reaction vessel and steam is introduced to the vessel to provide the necessary heat for hydrolysis as well as to establish the liquid-solid mixture in a rotary flow field whereby the liquids and solids of the mixture move along spiral paths within the chamber. The liquid-solid mixture may be introduced at the periphery of the chamber to spiral down toward and be discharged at or near the center of the chamber. Because of differing mass, the solid particles in the mixture move radially inward at a different rate than the liquid and that rate is controlled to maximize the hydrolysis of the solids and to minimize the decomposition of sugars, thus formed.

Abstract: Apparatus for reacting lignocellulosic material with a gas phase comprising a nitrogen oxide and oxygen under controlled gas pressure in the presence of water, for example, as a pretreatment before an alkaline delignification, comprising in combination:(1) a first reaction chamber receiving water-containing lignocellulosic material, nitrogen oxide, and optionally oxygen containing gas;(2) a first inlet for introducing lignocellulosic material into the first reaction chamber;(3) a second inlet with control means for introducing nitrogen oxide into the first reaction chamber;(4) a first outlet for withdrawing lignocellulosic material after reaction with oxide from the first reaction chamber;(5) gas locks retaining gas pressure in the first reaction chamber at each of the first inlet outlet;(6) a second reaction chamber in connection with the first reaction chamber via the gas lock at the outlet thereof and receiving lignocellulosic material after reaction with nitrogen oxide;(7) a third inlet with control means

Abstract: Comminuted cellulosic fibrous material, such as wood chips, are treated in a continuous digester to produce paper pulp or the like in a manner providing completely uniform treatment of the chips. The chips are introduced in a feed liquid slurry into the top of the digester having a plurality of annular screen systems each set vertically spaced from the other sets. At each screen set a plurality of nozzles are provided circumferentially spaced around the digester, each nozzle cooperating with only a particular radial segment of the screens. Withdrawal of liquid through the nozzles is practiced so that liquid is being withdrawn substantially through only one nozzle at a time, and it is being withdrawn at the same radial segment of the digester at each screen set at any particular point in time, with progressive switching in a circumferential sequence of the nozzles through which liquor is being withdrawn.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing pulp from impregnated cellulose-containing starting materials such as wood, straw, grass, waste materials etc. in a compacting apparatus comprising a shell (1) and two mutually opposite pistons (4, 4') contained in said shell. The material to be compacted is disposed between said pistons and constitutes a resistive electrical load. The pistons are movable relative to each other and the shell is movable relative to the pistons. The impregnated starting materials are digested at a relatively low hydromodulus of 0.5 to 2 with a direct action of heat on the impregnated starting materials in the compacting apparatus at a digesting temperature of 160.degree. to 300.degree. C. The digesting times are short and depend on the digesting temperature.

Abstract: A diffusion washer and/or thickener assembly is provided that is greatly simplified. A number of withdrawal screens and fluid introducing structures are provided supported by spider arms which comprise conduits for introduction of liquid into and withdrawal of liquid from an elongated upright hollow vessel in which the assembly is disposed. The conduit means, with attached screen structures, is reciprocated up and down by a single linear actuator located preferably above the vessel and within the cross-sectional area thereof so that the wall of the vessel need not be penetrated by the conduits. The screens and fluid introducing structures remain stationary with respect to each other during reciprocation. A number of wiper blades, which may be operated by a single linear actuator, are provided at the top of the vessel for moving upwardly flowing pulp into withdrawal conduits surrounding the vessel periphery.

Abstract: Cellulosic material, such as wood chips, is fed from a storage bin (10) through a compacting screw feeder (12) to an impregnation chamber (16) in housing (14) wherein the material is contacted with a treatment liquid. The impregnated chips and treatment liquid are passed from chamber (16) by a triple flight intermeshing screw feeder (18) directly to the interior of an inclined treatment vessel (20) wherein the material is digested by cooking at elevated temperature and pressure in both the treatment liquid and a treatment vapor.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing pulp from impregnated cellulose-containing starting materials such as wood, straw, grass, waste materials etc. in a compacting apparatus comprising a shell (1) and two mutually opposite pistons (4, 4') contained in the shell. The material to be compacted is disposed between the pistons and constitutes a resistive electrical load. The pistons are movable relative to each other and the shell is movable relative to the pistons. The impregnated starting materials are digested at a relatively low hydromodulus of 0.5 to 2 with a direct action of heat on the impregnated starting materials in the compacting apparatus at a digesting temperature of 160.degree. to 300.degree. C. The digesting times are short and depend on the digesting temperature.

Abstract: A dispersion apparatus for the preparation of waste paper comprises fittings arranged within a housing and composed of a rotor containing ring-shaped concentric rows of teeth and a stator containing ring-shaped concentric rows of teeth. For the removal of the dispersed substance or material an additional rotor ring containing a number of transport teeth is mounted upon the rotor and an additional stator ring is mounted upon the stator. The stator ring possesses an opening above the discharge chute or portion of the apparatus which extends through an angle of about 90.degree.. The apparatus composed of the rotor ring and the transport teeth and the stator ring containing the opening renders possible removal of the dispersed substance or material, without altering its consistency and without there occurring cooling of the processed substance or material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for the continuous treatment of a porous, fibrous material such as paper pulp, with a gas, such as ozone. The material is entrained with gas and passed in a first path. The material and gas move in a path defined by a downwardly curved upper wall and an open bottom, with a baffle disposed adjacent the bottom termination of the downwardly curved wall, so that the material is separated from the gas, the material flowing in a second path and the gas in a third path, distinct from the second path. The material in the second path is moved so that it intersects the flow of gas in the third path at least once, with the gas passing through the material while remaining in the third path, until the desired treatment of the material has been achieved. Preferably the second path is a serpentine path including horizontal portions, and the third path is a substantially straight downward path. After treatment, the material is discharged in a fourth path, and the gas passes along a fifth path.

Abstract: A high pressure rotary plug valve having at least one groove in the housing to provide a flushing/lubricating flow of innocuous fluid between the housing and rotary plug thus preventing fine solids build-up and decrease wear.

Abstract: A process is provided for the removal from paper pulp of impurities, the pulp being contained in a pulping machine. Some of the pulp is periodically transferred into an enclosed chamber annexed to the pulping machine, the chamber having a volume which is small compared to the volume of the pulping machine. The pulp in the chamber is stirred and separated by a rotor, and fibre suspension is returned to the pulping machine, dilution water being introduced into this chamber. The chamber is emptied and impurities thereafter discharged.

Abstract: Waste paper is chemically and mechanically treated to pulp it into a stock. The waste paper is tumbled, without mechanical beating and without rotary means likely to become fouled by foreign material mixed with the paper. A chemical pulping liquid is mixed with the paper as it is being tumbled. The resulting tumbled, pulped waste paper is delivered to a reaction tower where it is further chemically pulped. The waste paper is removed from the bottom of the reaction tower. Various embodiments of paper tumbling devices are disclosed including a rotating drum, stepped conveyor belts, stepped rollers, a vibratory conveyor and a tumbling tower with baffle plates along its length. The reaction tower has an adjustable sized outlet opening at its bottom. An appropriate conveyor is insertable through the outlet opening of the reaction tower for extracting pulped paper stock.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the transfer of fiber material from one circuit of circulating liquid to another, where the fiber material is transported by circuits positioned at right angles to the axis of rotation of a rotary transfer or feed valve and the circulating, transporting liquids are screened off through self-cleaning screens. The transfer valve contains a pocket and three working positions, a filling circuit, an emptying circuit, and an intermediate position for preheating the fiber material or providing a temperature lock depending upon the rotation of the pocket.