System for producing dried singulated cellulose pulp fibers using a jet drier and injected steam

• US 6,862,819 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Issued: 03/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company (Weyerhauser)
• Original Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company (Weyerhauser)
• Inventors: Vrbanac, Michael David, Yancey, Michael James, Wester, Brian, Dezutter, Ramon Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, Henry
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CAMTU TRAN
• Application Number:
  US10/187,041
• Publication Number:
  US 20030182818A1
• Time in Patent Office: 984 Days
• Field of Search: 342/21, 343/26, 343/59, 344/13, 34/83, 342/23, 342/24, 342/26, 34/84, 342/18, 342/19
• US Class Current: 34/221
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 18/241 Paper, e.g. waste paper; Paper pulp
• 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 drying system for the processing of pulp into singulated and dried fibers comprising:

a jet drier with a jet conduit that circulates the pulp in a closed loop, a pulp intake for delivery of pulp into the jet conduit, a manifold for air intake into the jet conduit, an injection port for injection of steam into the jet conduit, and a fiber outlet for removal of singulated and dried fibers, outlet air and fines from the jet conduit;

a pulp supply station coupled to the pulp intake for supplying a feed pulp to the pulp intake, the pulp supply station including a treatment supply source for delivering a treatment substance to the pulp;

an air supply station coupled to the manifold for delivering air to the manifold;

an outlet flow conduit coupled to the fiber outlet for the removal of the fibers, outlet air, and fines from the jet conduit; and

a fiber separation station coupled to the outlet flow conduit for separating the fibers from the outlet air.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a source of pressurized steam coupled to said injection port.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said steam is supplied to said injection port at a pressure of from 20 psig to 60 psig.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said injection port has a nozzle size of from 1.5 mm to 6.5 mm,

5. A drying system for the processing of pulp into singulated and dried fibers comprising:

a jet drier with a jet conduit that circulates the pulp in a closed loop, a pulp intake for delivery of pulp into the jet conduit, a manifold for air intake into the jet conduit, an injection port for injection of steam into the jet conduit, and a fiber outlet for removal of singulated and dried fibers, outlet air and fines from the jet conduit;

a pulp supply station coupled to the pulp intake for supplying a feed pulp to the pulp intake;

an air supply station coupled to the manifold for delivering air to the manifold;

an outlet flow conduit coupled to the fiber outlet for the removal of the fibers, outlet air, and fines from the jet conduit; and

a fiber separation station coupled to the outlet flow conduit for separating the fibers from the outlet air.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising:

a source of pressurized steam coupled to said injection port.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said steam is supplied to said injection port at a pressure of from 20 psig to 60 psig.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said injection port has a nozzle size of from 1.5 mm to 6.5 mm.