Abstract: Kraft pulp of increased strength and bleachability may be produced with decreased consumption of effective alkali, and at a lower H factor, by keeping the dissolved organic material (DOM) concentration low substantially through the entire kraft cook, including by extracting high DOM liquid from at least one part of a continuous digester and replacing it with much lower level DOM liquid. Existing pulp mills having two-vessel hydraulic, one-vessel hydraulic, or other systems may be retrofit to provide for extractions and additions of low DOM dilution liquor (including substantially DOM-free white liquor). Also, commercial size batch digesters (8 tons per day of pulp or more) can be operated with low DOM liquor to produce increased strength pulp. Using dilution with low DOM liquor also results in reduced H factor and effective alkali consumption, and increased bleachability.

Abstract: Kraft pulp of increased strength and bleachability may be produced with decreased consumption of effective alkali, and at a lower H factor, by keeping the dissolved organic material (DOM) concentration low substantially through the entire kraft cook, including by extracting high DOM liquid from at least one part of a continuous digester and replacing it with much lower level DOM liquid. Existing pulp mills having two-vessel hydraulic, one-vessel hydraulic, or other systems may be retrofit to provide for extractions and additions of low DOM dilution liquor (including substantially DOM-free white liquor). Also, commercial size batch digesters (8 tons per day of pulp or more) can be operated with low DOM liquor to produce increased strength pulp. Using dilution with low DOM liquor also results in reduced H factor and effective alkali consumption, and increased bleachability.

Abstract: A process for the continuous digestion of cellulosic fiber material, comprising impregnation with impregnating liquid consisting of at least one fresh digesting liquor, in a closed impregnating system and subsequent digestion with digesting liquid in a closed digester system, said impregnating liquid being supplied through a supply system, together with steamed fibre material, to an inlet end of the impregnating system, liquid being withdrawn from the impregnating system at a point (46) located at a predetermined distance from said inlet end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing white liquor (3) obtained from the causticization step of a pulp mill, in which method infeed white liquor (3) principally contains sodium hydroxide (6) and sodium sulfide (7). The method according to the invention is characterized in that the sodium hydroxide (6) contained in the white liquor (3) is separated from the white liquor (3) either entirely or partly by means of a diffusion dialysis membrane process (4). The invention is further characterized in that the sodium hydroxide (6) separated from the white liquor (3) is advantageously entirely returned back to the chemical circulation of the pulp mill.

Abstract: Kraft pulp of increased strength (e.g. at least about 15% greater tear strength at a specified tensile for fully refined pulp, and as much as about 27%) is produced by keeping the dissolved organic material (DOM) concentration below about 100 g/l (e.g. <50 g/l) throughout substantially the entire kraft cook. This may be done by extracting liquor containing a level of DOM substantial enough to adversely affect pulp strength, and replacing some or all of the extracted liquor with liquor containing a substantially lower effective DOM level than the extracted liquor, so as to positively affect pulp strength. The replacement liquor may be water, white liquor, pressure heat treated black liquor, washer filtrate, cold blow filtrate, or combinations, or the extracted liquor can be treated to remove or passivate the DOM (e.g. by precipitation, ultrafiltration, or absorption).

Abstract: Process water from pulp manufacture is purified in a separator device by mechanical or a combination of mechanical and chemical methods and is thereafter evaporated, at least part of the concentrate resulting from the evaporation being recycled and mixed with the process water fed into the separator device. In a preferred embodiment, a precipitant is added to the mixed water comprising the process water and the concentrate. The part of the concentrate not recycled and mixed with the process water is supplied, optionally after further evaporation, with an acid to a pH of 1-5, whereupon resulting flocs and precipitates are removed in a separator device.

Abstract: Chemical pulp is produced from hardwood chips in a simplified manner utilizing a continuous digester. An inverted top separator is provided in the circulatory loop between the high pressure feeder and the top of the continuous digester for thermally isolating circulations on either side of the inverted top separator. Relatively cool liquor circulates between the inverted top separator and high pressure feeder, at a temperature such that it will not flash into steam in a high pressure feeder, while in the circulatory loop from the high pressure feeder to the digester the chips are in cooking liquor at cooking temperature. Since hardwood chips require less cooking than softwood chips, a single heating source for heating the liquor to cooking temperature is provided, external of the digester, and a conventional cooking circulation loop within the digester is not required.

Abstract: In the bleaching of paper pulp without chlorine, such as using an OTZE or OZP bleach sequence, filtrate from subsequent stages is used as a wash liquid in preceding wash stages. The filtrate is treated with a fiber filter, and then passes through a magnesium filter, which has magnesium chips with a maximum dimension of about 3 mm or less. The magnesium removes heavy metal ions, and if any of the magnesium dissolves in the filtrate it provides a beneficial affect on the pulp. The pH of the filtrate is typically maintained in the 2-6 range to facilitate dissolution of Cu, Mn and Fe while the magnesium stays out of solution. Two filters may be provided in parallel so that if one becomes contaminated the other may be quickly put into service, and any explosive gases from the magnesium filter are vented.

Abstract: In the production of cellulose pulp (e.g. kraft pulp) utilizing a continuous digester having a number of different feed points for cooking (e.g. white) liquor and utilizing a high pressure feeder, the volume of cool white liquor that is applied to the feed system is reduced compared to conventional processing. This can cause excessive hammering, and damage the high pressure feeder and adjacent piping and equipment. In order to avoid this, liquid being recirculated from the top of the digester back to the high pressure feeder is cooled by passing it into a heat exchanger into heat exchange relationship with a cooler liquid, with the flow of coolant automatically controlled by sensing the temperature of the recirculated liquid. The temperature in the feed system can further be lowered by cooling the cooking liquor before it is added to the pulp slurry, as by passing it to a flash tank so that its temperature is reduced at least 10.degree. C., and the flashed steam can be used in an evaporator.

Abstract: In a continuous digester for paper pulp (comminuted cellulosic material), abrupt variations in high pressure steam flow are minimized. First and second vertically spaced annular screens are provided in a vertical vessel. Each has an annular header associated with it and first and second circumferentially spaced liquid outlets associated with each header. The first outlet for the first screen is generally vertically in line with the first outlet for the second screen, and the second outlet of the first screen is generally vertically in line with the second outlet of the second screen. Simultaneous withdrawal of liquid from the first outlet of the first screen and the second outlet of the second screen takes place, and then is terminated, and then simultaneous withdrawal of liquid from the second outlet of the first screen and the first outlet of the second screen takes place, and then is terminated. This withdrawal sequence is repeated continously.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for evaporating waste liquor produced when cooking fibrous material containing cellulose in a continuous pulp digester. In the continuous cooking process, fibrous material is heated to the process temperature by direct or indirect vapor heating in the digester at an increased pressure. The invention especially relates to digesters, in which fibrous material is heated directly with vapor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a procedure for recovery of soluble carbohydrates present in wood, in connection with the alkaline cellulose digesting process. According to the invention, recovery of carbohydrates takes place at the initial phase of the cellulose digesting process, where the digesting solution contains dissolved polysaccharides in abundance, while the content of polymeric lignin in the solution is low. A situation like this exists at the stage when the digesting solution has not yet reached the temperature at which the digestion process mainly takes place. As taught by the invention, the carbohydrates are recovered by conducting digesting solution to an ultrafilter, which separates the carbohydrates therefrom, and by returning the filtered solution to the cellulose digestion. The carbohydrates that are obtained may be used e.g. in the manufacturing of sugar alcohols, or as raw materials for biotechnical processes.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing cellulose pulp by delignification of lignocellulosic material, which comprises subjecting particulate lignocellulosic material in a pulping zone to the pulping action of a pulping liquor at a temperature at which pulping reactions leading to formation of cellulose pulp proceed, and substances having a molecular weight above about 3500, preferably above about 2000, and preferably above about 1500, are physically separated and removed from the lignocellulosic material and become dispersed in the pulping liquor; in the course of the pulping, withdrawing pulping liquor containing such dispersed substances, and removing such dispersed substances therefrom; and then returning the pulping liquor to the pulping zone.

Abstract: A method for oxidizing and removing remaining sodium sulfide as well as generated sulfur compounds by introducing oxygen into cooking liquor at high temperature and high pressure in the end stage of kraft cooking.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for screenless treatment of cellulose fiber material without channeling of treatment liquid through a fiber material column being treated. An inner vertical vessel extends into an outer vertical vessel which has a larger diameter than the inner vessel, and an annular space in the outer vessel is defined by a portion of the inner vessel extending into the outer vessel. At least three baffles extend through the annular space into the area of the outer vessel below the inner vessel to define at least three distinct flow areas, and an outlet nozzle is provided in each of the flow areas. Liquid is withdrawn from the annular space through at least two of the flow areas, while liquid is backflushed into one of the flow areas.

Abstract: A method for improving the homogeneity of ligno-cellulose containing materials during digestion in a digester is disclosed. Specifically, the ligno-cellulose containing material and cooking liquor are charged to the digester, a portion of the cooking liquor is drawn off from the digester and heated, preferably in a calorisator, and the heated liquor is divided into two portions, the first portion being returned to the top of the digester, and the second portion being returned to the bottom of the digester, and boiling is caused to occur in the digester solely by terminating the flow of liquor into the top of the digester.

Abstract: Chemical cellulose is produced by treatment in a digester. In the first step, wood in the form of chips is treated for a period of about from 15 to 90 minutes with a cooking acid of a calculated amount of below 5% by weight and at least 2.5% by weight of SO.sub.2 and a mole ratio of SO.sub.2 to MgO or CaO of from about 2 : 1 to 3.5 : 1 at a temperature of from about 45 to 90.degree. C. The liquid SO.sub.2 is fed into the digester until the total SO.sub.2 content of the cooking acid is from about 6 to 10 percent by weight, and completing the digestion in a second step to obtain a pulp by cooking at a temperature of above 110.degree. C., and working up the pulp in a manner known per se to obtain chemical cellulose.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the treatment of cellulosic fiber material with maximum efficiency while minimizing capital costs. Fiber material entrained in digesting liquid is impregnated with the liquid in an impregnation vessel, sluiced to a separate digesting vessel, and from the digesting vessel sluiced to one or more separate washing vessels without a significant reduction in pressure. Countercurrent washing is effected in the washing vessel(s). Digesting liquid withdrawn from the digesting vessel is heated in a transfer line back to the impregnation vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the digestion of cellulosic fiber material providing pulp of very uniform quality. Cellulosic fiber material entrained in treatment liquid is fed into a top portion of a first vertical treatment vessel, impregnation of the fiber material with treatment liquid taking place in the first vessel. A first flow path of fiber material entrained in and impregnated with treatment liquid is established from the bottom of the first vessel to a top portion of a separate second vertical treatment vessel, liquid substantially filling the second vessel. Liquid is withdrawn from the top portion of the second vessel (without screening) and a second flow path is established of the liquid withdrawn from the second vessel back toward the bottom portion of the first vessel, heating of the liquid during transport in the second flow path taking place.

Abstract: Solvent pulping of wood chips or other fibrous plant material is effected using an aqueous solution of a lower aliphatic alcohol in a plurality of batch extraction vessels. The charge in each vessel is heated rapidly to pulping temperature by recirculation of a primary extraction liquor having a relatively high dissolved solids content, and thereafter the charge is subjected to a series of once-through extractions or washes with successively cleaner liquors, including a final extraction or wash with fresh liquor. The extraction liquor from one extraction stage in one vessel is used in another extraction stage in another vessel. Upon completion of the extraction, the liquor is drained from the vessel, the vessel is depressurized to a solvent condenser, and the remaining solvent is steam stripped from the charge and recovered. The used extraction liquor is treated in an alcohol recovery system by flash vaporization, condensation of the solvent vapors, and vacuum stripping of the residual liquor with steam.

Abstract: Spent hemi caustic effluents from cold caustic extraction of cellulosic pulps are rendered utilizable as a source of sodium hydroxide for pulp processing by heating the effluents for a period of time and at a temperature sufficient to cause the hemicelluloses in the effluents to be degraded and to substantially eliminate precipitation of the hemicelluloses onto cellulosic materials when the effluents are used.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous method of making cellulosic pulp from wood chips within a range of yield from 65 to 90 per cent by digestion with a digestion liquor containing Na.sub.2 S and Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3. The digestion is effected at temperatures between 150.degree. and 190.degree.C and malodorous sulfur compounds are removed from the pulp, the liquor and the vapors prior to their withdrawal from the digesting process. In order to eliminate their capacity of emitting obnoxious odors, the sulfur compounds are oxidized by addition of molecular oxygen to the digester prior to discharge of pulp and spent liquor from the digester after which the spent liquor is removed from the digested pulp, concentrated and burned for renewed use in preparation of fresh digesting liquor.