Abstract: The present invention relates to a dispersion device and a defoamation device comprising the same, which provides a dispersion device comprising a dispersion plate equipped with an inclined surface extended downwards obliquely and raw material inflow nozzles formed on the inclined surface to introduce a raw material into the inclined surface; and a band spaced apart from the inclined surface of the dispersion plate to form a gap from the inclined surface, thereby being configured so that the raw material flows through the gap.

Abstract: A screen assembly for a digester, impregnation vessel or other treatment vessel for separation of cooking liquor or treatment liquor from lignocellulosic material, typically in a form of chips, in the production of chemical cellulose pulp, which screen assembly includes a plurality of screen panels (17) of woven wire mesh cloth and attachment device configured to attach the screen panels to a support frame of the digester or vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved profile bar screen for draining treatment liquor from a suspension of comminuted cellulose material and treatment liquor in an essentially cylindrical digester vessel. According to the invention is a profile bar screen designed with horizontal support arches 11 with integrated support shoulders 12 only at the outer ends of the support arch which support shoulders rest against the inside of the vessel wall 1. The invention combines the techniques from self-supporting screens with support members of weaker screen designs, avoiding need to make any additional welds in the classified pressure vessel wall of the digester. Installation of new screens in compartments previously equipped with blind plates in checkered screen rows may be done quickly and at less costs during shorter down time of digester.

Abstract: A digester apparatus is provided for delignifying wood chips to form wood pulp comprising: a vessel, a first downcomer, an outer fluid supply downcomer and structure defining an insulating region between the first and outer downcomers. The first downcomer extends into the vessel for delivering a first fluid into the vessel. The first fluid is generally at a first temperature when passing into the first downcomer. The outer fluid supply downcomer extends into the vessel and may be located about the first downcomer for supplying a second fluid into the vessel. The second fluid may be generally at a second temperature different from the first temperature when passing into the outer downcomer. The structure defining an insulating region between the first and outer downcomers functions to reduce heat transfer between the first and outer downcomers.

Abstract: The improved profile bar screen is for draining treatment liquor from a suspension of comminuted cellulose material and treatment liquor in an essentially cylindrical digester vessel. The profile bar screen is designed with horizontal support arches that have expansion slots allowing the otherwise rigid structure of the support arches to flex and adapt to any unevenness of the vessel wall, thus allowing support shoulders to rest against the inside of the vessel wall.

Abstract: The improved profile bar screen is for draining treatment liquor from a suspension of comminuted cellulose material and treatment liquor in an essentially cylindrical digester vessel. The profile bar screen is designed with horizontal support arches that have expansion slots allowing the otherwise rigid structure of the support arches to flex and adapt to any unevenness of the vessel wall, thus allowing support shoulders to rest against the inside of the vessel wall.

Abstract: A pressure diffuser washer comprising: an outer wall, an inner wall adjacent to the outer wall, the inner wall defining annular baffle chambers between the outer wall and the inner wall, wherein each of the annular baffle chambers is configured to connect to a source of a wash liquid, a reciprocating screen assembly adjacent to the inner wall, the reciprocating screen assembly defining a first annular chamber between the inner wall and the reciprocating screen assembly, an area in the inner wall defining a gap associated with each of the annular baffle chambers, wherein the wash liquid from an annular baffle chamber flows through the gap into the first annular chamber, and an annular baffle screen plate covering the gap, wherein the annular baffle screen plate defines openings sized to prevent rocks and other large particulate debris from entering the annular baffle chambers.

Abstract: Pulper used in the paper industry that processes pulp which pulper comprises a pulper container (19), a punched plate screen (15) installed to the mentioned container, a binnacle (8) out of the lower part (3) of the container for the mass that has penetrated the punched plate screen (15) and a rotating mixing rotor located in the container (19) and equipped with wings (1); (5) the purpose of which mixing rotor is to defibrate paper and mix the mass in the container (19) and that the mixing rotor further comprises a cylinder part (20) directed downwards towards the punched plate screen (15) and that rotates along the mentioned rotor to which cylinder part wings (2) that clean the punched plate screen (15) are attached and which cylinder part (20) is located between the mixing rotor and the punched plate screen (15).

Abstract: A screen structure which is unusually effective at removing stickies from recyclable fiber but is tolerant of substantial swings in throughput which result in variations in the flow velocity through the screen—slot velocity. One example of the screen structure is created by forming a very large number of similarly shaped vanes then locking them into a ring structure to form a cylindrical screen basket but equivalent surface configurations can also be formed into sheet stock.

Abstract: A screen structure which is unusually effective at removing stickies from recyclable fiber but is tolerant of substantial swings in throughput which result in variations in the flow velocity through the screen-slot velocity. One example of the screen structure is created by forming a very large number of similarly shaped vanes then locking them into a ring structure to form a cylindrical screen basket but equivalent surface configurations can also be formed into sheet stock.

Abstract: The method is for influencing the flow from a strainer construction in a continuous digester. In order to avoid clogging of the withdrawal compartment in the strainer construction, an additive that counteracts precipitation processes is added directly to the withdrawal compartment while the cooking fluid is withdrawn from the withdrawal compartment. The addition of chemicals can take place at the same time as the withdrawn cooking fluid is withdrawn from the digester and the strainer construction, or while the withdrawn cooking fluid is fully or partially re-circulated back to the withdrawal compartment.

Abstract: The withdrawal screen section is for impregnation of chips during the manufacture of chemical pulp. Chips are steamed and impregnated in a low pressure impregnation vessel using pressurised hot spent cooking liquor BL. The spent cooking liquor produces most of the steam BLST, necessary for steaming the chips. To reduce the need for adding fresh steam for chip steaming is a first withdrawal section in the impregnation vessel modified to be used both as a flash tank for warm pressurised wash filtrate and improved wash-out feature for the spent impregnation liquid behind the screen in the withdrawal section. The withdrawal volume is arranged with an upper part located above the liquid level LIQLEV of the impregnation vessel. Additional pressurised warm wash liquor REC1 is added to the withdrawal volume and flashed off steam is led in a steam duct to the chip volume above the liquid level.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for feeding chemical into a liquid flow. The method and apparatus according to the invention are especially suitable for applications where very small volumes of chemical must be fed in precise amounts in large process liquid flows.

Abstract: A screen for the screening of pulp suspensions is disclosed, including a screen basket, a rotor for providing pressure and suction pulses in the suspension to be screened along the screen basket, and a dilution liquid header for supplying dilution liquid to counteract thickening of the suspension during operation. The header forms a tubular channel, which divides the screen basket into at least two parts, extends around the basket, and is provided with a plurality of dilution ejection nozzles. Each ejection nozzle forms a channel including at least two channel sections; namely, an entrance channel section that opens into the channel of the header, and an exit channel section downstream of the entrance channel section, wherein the entrance channel section is substantially wider than the exit channel section.

Abstract: A screen plate for a cellulosic material puling vessel, the screen plate including: slots having curved inlet corner edges adjacent an inside surface of the screen plate and facing a pulp flow.

Abstract: A pulp digester includes a vessel having an inlet, an outlet and a wall extending between the inlet and the outlet, the wall of the vessel having a curved interior surface. The digester includes a screen assembly positioned inside the vessel adjacent to the curved interior surface of the wall for removing liquid from pulp material. The screen assembly is movable relative to the curved interior surface of the vessel wall. The digester includes at least one support element permanently attached to the vessel wall for limiting movement of the screen assembly relative to the curved interior surface of the vessel wall. In certain embodiments, the at least one support, such as a ledge permanently attached to the vessel wall, supports a portion of the screen assembly. The screen assembly may have an inner face that is concave in a horizontal direction and convex in a vertical direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method serves, e.g., to deaerate, clean or screen a fibrous suspension and is provided with a closed housing and a rotor arranged centrally therein. The rotor puts at least a part of the fibrous suspension guided into the housing into a rotational flow. The fibrous suspension flowing into the housing through the inlet is put into rotation by a guide element acting hydraulically. This increase the efficiency of the apparatus and prevents disturbing turbulences in the apparatus.

Abstract: The arrangement concerns an improved design for at least one of the cooling, dilution and washing at the bottom of a continuous digester for the production of cellulose pulp. By arranging at least one extra strainer section above the lowermost strainer section, with the addition of washing fluid or dilution fluid between the extra strainer section and the lowermost strainer section, more washing fluid can be added at the bottom of the digester without counteracting the flow of the column of chips. This provides space for the increase of production, for improvement of the flow of the column of chips, or for combinations of these effects while retaining good cooling, washing and dilution at the bottom of the digester.

Abstract: A method for impregnating chips in a continuous digestion system with an impregnation vessel and a digester. The digestion system has a heat exchanger arranged between a first return line and a black liquor line. The heat exchanger allows a transfer of heat between the two lines. A principal part of the fluid contents of the impregnation vessel is constituted by chips moisture, steam condensate, added white liquor, and the fluid withdrawn from the top separator at the first return line, whereby the impregnation fluid in the impregnation vessel does not contain any substantial amount of black liquor from the digester. An impregnation vessel is established that is hydraulically isolated, in which the flow of fluid and the establishment of its alkali content take place without any influence from the fluid flow in the digester process.

Abstract: The arrangement concerns an improved design for at least one of the cooling, dilution and washing at the bottom of a continuous digester for the production of cellulose pulp. By arranging at least one extra strainer section above the lowermost strainer section, with the addition of washing fluid or dilution fluid between the extra strainer section and the lowermost strainer section, more washing fluid can be added at the bottom of the digester without counteracting the flow of the column of chips. This provides space for the increase of production, for improvement of the flow of the column of chips, or for combinations of these effects while retaining good cooling, washing and dilution at the bottom of the digester.

Abstract: Screening apparatus for screening pulp suspensions is disclosed comprising a screen basket dividing the interior of the housing into a central chamber and a single outer annular chamber. The suspension is supplied to one of the outer and central chambers, so that an accept fraction passes through the screen, while a reject fraction develops that is prevented from passing through the screen. Dilution is provided by supplying diluting liquid to dilute the reject fraction. The screen basket is divided into at least two separate tubular screen sections. The dilution is provided by at least one annular element axially interconnecting the two tubular screen sections and forming a tubular dilution liquid compartment extending at least substantially around the screen basket. The annular element forms a plurality of dilution liquid ejection passages between the dilution liquid compartment and one of the outer and central chambers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for minimizing adherence of lignin to an extraction screen in a semi-chemical pulping process. The method and apparatus generally relate to supplying white liquor and NaOH to as to increase the pH of cooking liquor at or near an extraction screen.

Abstract: A central screen element being located substantially parallel with the vertical axis of a pulp digester is provided. In the vertical direction, the screen element comprises at least one zone including one screen segment for removing a liquid stream from the digester and at least one outlet for introducing a liquid stream to the digester. The zones may be adjacent or separated and liquid streams may be independently removed and introduced, as required by the properties and the stage of the cooking process. A screen element may be used in both continuous and batch digesters.

Abstract: This invention provides a screen apparatus having an enhanced capacity for separating foreign matter from fibers of an acceptable quality in paper-making material.

Abstract: A vessel is constructed with (preferably substantially stationary) screen surfaces which minimize compaction of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material, and allow springback of the material, as it flows downwardly. A slurry of wood chips, sawdust, or pulp is passed downwardly past one or more screen surfaces, which have a number of parts, including at least a first perforated part through which liquid is extracted, and a substantially solid part substantially immediately adjacent and below the first part which has a step out to relieve compaction and allow springback of the material.

Abstract: A screen panel for a wood-chip digester, comprises a screen plate having a plurality of slots therein that are curved in the form of an arc. Each slot has a generally parallel-sided middle portion in the middle of the thickness of the screen plate, which middle portion has a width in the range of from 3 mm to 10 mm, and a portion that tapers out at an angle on each side of the middle portion, at a half-angle in the range of from 10° to 20°, for approximately one quarter of the thickness of the plate. All of the slots have their concave sides facing in the upstream direction of chip flow in the digester.

Abstract: A screen panel for a wood-chip digester comprises a screen plate having a plurality of slots therein that are curved in the form of an arc. Each slot has a width in the range of from 3 mm to 10 mm. One form of slot has a generally parallel-sided middle portion in the middle of the thickness of the screen plate, which middle portion has a width in the range of from 3 mm to 10 mm, and a portion that tapers out at an angle on each side of the middle portion, at a half-angle in the range of from 5° to 20°, for approximately one quarter of the thickness of the plate. Another form of slot tapers out from one side of the plate to the other side. All of the slots have their concave sides facing in the upstream direction of chip flow in the digester.

Abstract: A continuous digester is disclosed for producing chemical cellulose pulp from cellulose chips, comprising: a continuous digester vessel having a lower section filled with the cellulose chips and an upper gas filled section; an inverted separator at least partially in said upper section which introduces chips and liquid into said digester vessel and separates some of the liquid from the chips, wherein said separator includes a drive shaft connected to a conveyor, and a liquid discharge port proximate to the drive shaft and arranged proximate to a chip discharge of the separator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a screen for screening two or more pulp mixtures with different roughness. The screen comprises a first screen cylinder and a second screen cylinder. A coarse first pulp mixture is fed into the inlet end of the first screen cylinder, and a second, less coarse pulp mixture is supplied to the second screen cylinder. The pulp mixtures are screened by means of a screen surface of the screen cylinders into accept that passes apertures provided in the screen surface and reject that does not pass the apertures. The accept from the second cylinder is conveyed by means of a guide tube provided between the cylinders towards the inlet end of the first cylinder and it is finally mixed with the first pulp mixture. The accept from the first and the second pulp mixture passes the screen surface of the first screen cylinder.

Abstract: A the operation of pulp screening apparatus may be improved by employing a multi element foil having a leading foil section and a trailing foil section spaced from and trailing leading section so that adjacent surfaces of the sections one formed by a portion of a pressure side of the leading section and the other by the leading end of the trailing foil section define opposed walls of a passage for fluid directing fluid flow from the pressure side of the leading foil section to a cambered low pressure side of the trailing section. The angle of attack (?) of the complete multi element foil is set to be significantly less than the angle of attack (?) of the trailing foil section to increase the negative pressure pulse generated by the trailing section and thereby improve operation of the screening device.

Abstract: A screen panel for a wood-chip digester comprises a screen plate having a plurality of slots therein that are curved in the form of an arc. Each slot has a width in the range of from 3 mm to 10 mm. One form of slot has a generally parallel-sided middle portion in the middle of the thickness of the screen plate, which middle portion has a width in the range of from 3 mm to 10 mm, and a portion that tapers out at an angle on each side of the middle portion, at a half-angle in the range of from 5° to 20°, for approximately one quarter of the thickness of the plate. Another form of slot tapers out from one side of the plate to the other side. All of the slots have their concave sides facing in the upstream direction of chip flow in the digester.

Abstract: A fiber mat is formed on a screen cylinder of a pressurized fiber filtering device used to filter particles from a liquid stream. The fiber mat is a fine particle filter to remove small particles from the liquid stream. The fiber mat is formed by injecting cellulosic fibers into the liquid stream flowing into the fiber filtering device. These fibers collect on the screen cylinder as the liquid flows through the cylinder. The collection of fibers forms the fine filtering mat.

Abstract: A screen panel for a wood-chip digester, comprises a screen plate having a plurality of slots therein that are curved in the form of an arc. Each slot has a generally parallel-sided middle portion in the middle of the thickness of the screen plate, which middle portion has a width in the range of from 3 mm to 10 mm, and a portion that tapers out at an angle on each side of the middle portion, at a half-angle in the range of from 10° to 20°, for approximately one quarter of the thickness of the plate. All of the slots have their concave sides facing in the upstream direction of chip flow in the digester.

Abstract: A fiber mat is formed on a screen cylinder of a pressurized fiber filtering device used to filter particles from a liquid stream. The fiber mat is a fine particle filter to remove small particles from the liquid stream. The fiber mat is formed by injecting cellulosic fibers into the liquid stream flowing into the fiber filtering device. These fibers collect on the screen cylinder as the liquid flows through the cylinder. The collection of fibers forms the fine filtering mat.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for extracting liquor from a cellulose slurry for a continuous digester comprising the steps of: providing the cellulose slurry of liquor and chips of cellulose fiber material to a separator; extracting a first stream of liquor from the separator; extracting a second stream of liquor from the separator, where the second stream has an effective alkali (EA) concentration greater than the EA concentration of the first steam; outputting the first stream from the separator and outputting the second stream from the separator separately from the second stream, and outputting a condensed slurry from the separator to a digester vessel.

Abstract: A continuous pulp digester having an elongate horizontally aligned pressure vessel through which the wood chips and digesting fluid flow in a forward direction. In a first and second embodiments within the pressure vessel there is an inner container defining an elongate chamber or passageway having a square cross sectional configuration. In a third embodiment the digesting chamber is cylindrical. At locations along the digester, there are several pair of liquid flow inlets and liquid flow outlets which enable filtrate from a pulp washer and a digesting agent to be moved into and across the digesting chamber to flow out the flow outlets. These are recirculated in a net upstream flow pattern toward the outlet end of the digester, and discharged as black liquor at different locations in the digester.

Abstract: A set of spaced apart screen assemblies are provided within a continuous kraft digester. Liquor is extracted from a first screen assembly of the set without recirculation of at least a portion of the extracted liquor into the digester above the first screen. In such a manner, the need for circulation flow below the first screen assembly of the set to the second screen assembly of the set is minimized, thereby also minimizing (if not eliminating entirely) the packing problems such flow may cause. The liquor extracted from the first screen assembly in the set could be reintroduced, however, into the digester at some other location in the cooking system (e.g., at a location just above the bottom screen). By employing the present invention, the distance between the first and second screen assemblies is greater than one digester diameter (D).

Abstract: Chemical pulp is produced from a slurry of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material using a beneficial additive such as AQ, or polysulfide. In the first treatment zone the effective alkali concentration and temperature conditions are such so that substantially no alkali degradation of the cellulose occurs, but so that the material is effectively impregnated with the additive. Then the material is treated with an alkaline cooking liquor, at cooking temperature, to produce a chemical cellulose pulp with higher yield or strength than if the low temperature, low alkali, additive pretreatment was not practiced. Typical alkali and temperature conditions in the first zone are less than 10 g/l expressed as NaOH; and between about 80-130° C., e.g. about 80-110° C. The first zone is preferably a feed system (which may include a separate impregnation vessel) for a continuous digester, while cooking is in a continuous digester.

Abstract: The problems of non-uniform treatment of paper pulp that may be caused by differential flow velocities within a vessel, channeling, and/or disruption of the pulp flow, are substantially eliminated by providing a non-circular cross-section substantially atmospheric pressure vessel with at least one screen surface, and typically a liquid introducing device. The vessel, screen surface, and liquid introducing device are constructed and positioned with respect to each other so that during the treatment of a pulp slurry the slurry has substantially uniform width in a treatment zone, and there is substantially uniform resistance to the flow of slurry over the screen surface over any particular cross-section of the vessel in the treatment zone, and its consistency varies less than 6% in the treatment zone (e.g. between 8-14%).

Abstract: A method to remove scale build-up in a vessel having at least one screen is described and involves placing a cover inside the vessel such that it is located beneath at least one screen to separate the screen from the rest of the vessel. The cover in the vessel forms an upper portion and a lower portion in the vessel. Preferably, the cover is in close proximity to the screen which is located in the upper portion of the vessel. The method then further includes introducing a chemical formulation into the upper portion of the vessel in a sufficient amount to remove at least a portion of the scale build-up on the screen. A system to remove scale build-up is also described and includes a vessel having at least one screen. The system further includes a cover located inside the vessel and beneath at least one screen to separate the screen from the rest of the vessel and to form an upper portion and a lower portion in the vessel. Normally the cover is in close proximity to the screen.

Abstract: A drainer for a feed system for a cellulose digester has a substantially open and hollow inlet (devoid of a spiral flow imparter or a like flow restriction) and a substantially annular screen within an elongated housing having a flow direction between the housing inlet and outlet. The screen is slotted and the slots are at an angle &agr; between 5-90° with respect to the flow direction, so as to minimize passage of cellulose material through the slots, or clogging of the slots.

Abstract: A continuous pulp digester having an elongate horizontally aligned pressure vessel through which the wood chips and digesting fluid flow in a forward direction. In a first and second embodiments within the pressure vessel there is an inner container defining an elongate chamber or passageway having a square cross sectional configuration. In a third embodiment the digesting chamber is cylindrical. At locations along the digester, there are several pair of liquid flow inlets and liquid flow outlets which enable filtrate from a pulp washer and a digesting agent to be moved into and across the digesting chamber to flow out the flow outlets. These are recirculated in a net upstream flow pattern toward the outlet end of the digester, and discharged as black liquor at different locations in the digester.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing screens and screens suitable for use in wet screening fibrous paper suspensions, in which the screens include at least one screen plate having a number of sorting apertures. The process includes providing a number of fastening openings in the at least one screen plate, and inserting profiled pieces into the fastening openings. At least a portion of the profiled pieces are arranged to project beyond a screen surface.

Abstract: Pressurized screen to remove contaminants from a contaminant-containing fibrous paper suspension. Pressurized screen includes a housing, a first screen element, essentially axially symmetric and rotatably mounted within housing, and a second screen element, which is essentially axially symmetric. First and second screen elements are successively arranged in suspension flow direction. At least one intake, coupled to housing, supplies suspension to housing, and at least one accepts outlet, coupled to housing, conveys a part of suspension that passes through the second screen element out of housing. At least one coarse reject outlet is located within housing to remove a part of suspension not passing through first screen element, and at least one fine reject outlet is located within housing to remove a part of suspension not passing through second screen element. First screen element includes conical shape with opening angle (&agr;) between about 10° and 170°.

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 comminuted cellulosic fibrous material treatment vessel assembly includes a substantially vertical vessel having a top, bottom, and outlet, and through which the material flows in a flow direction. The vessel preferably has a substantially cylindrical wall with at least one diameter-changing transition between the inlet and the outlet. A screen assembly is preferably provided at or just past the transition. The screen assembly comprises one or more annular screen surfaces diverging in the flow direction of the material, the angle of divergence being between about 0.5-10° to the vertical, and preferably substantially continuous. Providing such a screen assembly reduces the radial compression of material thereon, and increases the volume and rate of liquid that can flow through the material and be removed through the screen surface compared to a non-diverging screen surface (that is a right-cylindrical surface).

Abstract: Pressure type screening apparatus for screening papermakers' stock and method of use is disclosed. Screen (20) has an inlet screening surface (23) and an outlet surface (unlabled). Pressure transducers (not shown) vary the fluid pressure on the inlet surface of the screen (23) from a maximum to a minimum, and also vary the fluid pressure on the outlet surface of the screen (20) from a minimum to a maximum at a repetitive cyclic rate. The amplitude of such pressures is such that flow reversal occurs through the screen (20) and any fiber mat that tends to form on the inlet surface (23) is disrupted or fluidized.

Abstract: A screen used in the production of cellulose pulp may be mounted in a digester to minimize traditional screen problems (including clogging) without introducing new problems. The screen comprises a screen plate having a plurality of slots formed in it with an inclination angle, which is 30-60° with respect to the bottom edge of the screen plate. The screen plate may comprise a plurality of parallel screen bars side-by-side, or an integral metal plate with slots formed in it. The slots have a width between 1-5 (e.g. 2-4) millimeters and a spacing between them of 3-9 millimeters.

Abstract: A comminuted cellulosic fibrous material treatment vessel assembly includes a substantially vertical vessel having a top, bottom, and outlet, and through which the material flows in a flow direction. The vessel preferably has a substantially cylindrical wall with at least one diameter-changing transition between the inlet and the outlet. A screen assembly is preferably provided at or just past the transition. The screen assembly comprises one or more annular screen surfaces diverging in the flow direction of the material, the angle of divergence being between about 0.5-10° to the vertical, and preferably substantially continuous. Providing such a screen assembly reduces the radial compression of material thereon, and increases the volume and rate of liquid that can flow through the material and be removed through the screen surface compared to a non-diverging screen surface (that is a right-cylindrical surface).