Process for producing dried singulated cellulose pulp fibers using a jet drier and injected steam and the product resulting therefrom

• US 6,769,199 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Issued: 08/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Paper Company
• Original Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company (Weyerhauser)
• Inventors: Vrbanac, Michael David, Wester, Brian, Dezutter, Ramon Charles, Yancey, Michael James
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CAMTU TRAN
• Application Number:
  US10/187,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20030093916A1
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 343/26, 342/21, 34/83, 343/59, 344/13, 344/43, 604/374, 604/367, 162/9, 162/55, 162/65, 162/63
• US Class Current: 34/359
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 18/241 Paper, e.g. waste paper; Paper pulp
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 20/02 Treatment
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 2303/02 Starch; Degradation products thereof, e.g. dextrin
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 3/12 Powdering or granulating
• CPC Class Codes: D21C 9/001 Modification of pulp properties purification D21C9/08
• CPC Class Codes: D21C 9/002 by chemical means; preparation of dewatered pulp, e.g. in sheet or bulk form, containing special additives
• CPC Class Codes: D21C 9/007 by mechanical or physical means
• CPC Class Codes: D21C 9/18 De-watering de-watering in general F26B; Elimination of cooking or pulp-treating liquors from the pulpD21C9/002, D21C9/02 take precedence; paper-making machines D21F; strainers in digesters D21C7/00; presses in general B30B
• CPC Class Codes: D21C 9/185 comprising at least one step where the pulp is suspended in a gaseous medium, e.g. flash drying
• CPC Class Codes: D21H 11/20 Chemically or biochemically modified fibres
• CPC Class Codes: D21H 15/04 crimped, kinked, curled or twisted fibres
• CPC Class Codes: D21H 17/38 containing crosslinkable groups
• CPC Class Codes: D21H 17/63 Inorganic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: D21H 23/04 Addition to the pulp; After-treatment of added substances in the pulp
• CPC Class Codes: D21H 27/08 Filter paper self-supporting filtering material B01D39/14; making on paper-making machines D21F11/14
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/91 Use of waste materials as fillers for mortars or concrete

Abstract

This invention provides a dried singulated cellulose pulp fiber product as well as an apparatus and a method for forming singulated and dried fibers. In accordance with the process a feed pulp is delivered to a jet drier. The jet drier singulates and dries the feed pulp. The singulated and dried fibers are collected from the jet drier. The feed pulp may be treated with a treatment substance. The jet drier may be maintained at negative pressure. The product fibers may have low knot count, a low fines count, as well improved kink, curl and twist. The apparatus for carrying out the process may include a pretreatment station for supplying the treatment substance, a pulp feed device designed for pulp, a pulp feed device designed for pulp and foam suspensions, and/or a fiber separation station having a vacuum conveyor.

Claims

1. A process for producing singulated pulp fibers comprising:

introducing a wet pulp, steam, and air into a jet drier that recirculates said pulp in a loop;

drying said pulp in said jet drier to form singulated pulp fibers; and

removing said pulp from said jet drier and separating said pulp fibers from said air.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein said steam is injected tangentially into said loop in said jet drier.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein said steam is injected into said drier surrounded by an air stream being injected into said drier.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein said steam is injected into said drier at a pressure of from 20 psig to 60 psig.

10. A pulp product produced by the process of any one of claims 1 through 4.

5. A process for producing singulated pulp fibers comprising:

introducing a wet pulp, steam, and air into a let drier, said steam being injected through an orifice having a diameter from about 1.5 mm to about 6.5 mm, said steam being injected into said drier at a pressure of from 20 psig to 60 Psig;

drying said pulp in said jet drier to form singulated pulp fibers; and

removing said pulp from said jet drier and separating said pulp fibers from said air.

6. The process of claim 5 wherein said steam is injected through an orifice of about 6.35 mm in diameter at a pressure of 60 psig.

9. A pulp product produced by the process of any one of claims 5 through 8.

7. A process for producing singulated pulp fibers comprising:

introducing a wet pulp, steam, and air into a jet drier;

drying said pulp in said jet drier to form singulated pulp fibers, said fibers having a length greater than about 2 mm; and

removing said pulp from said jet drier and separating said pulp fibers from said air.

8. The process of claim 7 wherein said fibers have a length of from 2.3 mm to 2.5 mm.