U.S. patent application number 11/953352 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-04 for method for producing cellulose pulp in a continuous digester in an energy-efficient manner.
Invention is credited to Vidar Snekkenes.
Application Number | 20080210392 11/953352 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38476375 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080210392 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Snekkenes; Vidar |
September 4, 2008 |
METHOD FOR PRODUCING CELLULOSE PULP IN A CONTINUOUS DIGESTER IN AN
ENERGY-EFFICIENT MANNER
Abstract
The method is for producing cellulose pulp in a continuous
digestion system in an energy-efficient manner. Cellulose chips are
fed continuously with a transfer liquid in a transfer line to a top
separator arranged at the top of a digester, for the separation of
free liquid from the cellulose chips. The top separator has a
withdrawal space in which free liquid collects. At least a fraction
of the free liquid that has separated, with a temperature
T.sub.out, is led in a return line from the withdrawal space of the
top separator to a position to be used as transfer liquid. At least
one pressurised withdrawal of black liquor is carried out in the
digester essentially at the cooking temperature of at least
135.degree. C. An additive liquid with a temperature T.sub.in is
added at the withdrawal space of the top separator, where the
temperature T.sub.in is greater than the temperature T.sub.out.
Inventors: |
Snekkenes; Vidar; (Karlstad,
SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FASTH LAW OFFICES (ROLF FASTH)
26 PINECREST PLAZA, SUITE 2
SOUTHERN PINES
NC
28387-4301
US
|
Family ID: |
38476375 |
Appl. No.: |
11/953352 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
162/17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D21C 1/00 20130101; D21C
7/14 20130101; D21C 3/22 20130101; D21C 3/00 20130101; D21C 7/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
162/17 |
International
Class: |
D21C 3/24 20060101
D21C003/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 13, 2006 |
SE |
0602675-1 |
Claims
1. A method for producing cellulose pulp in a continuous digestion
system in an energy-efficient manner, comprising: continuously
feeding cellulose chips with a transfer liquid in a transfer
circulation to a top separator arranged at a top of a digester, the
top separator having a withdrawal space defined therein, collecting
free liquid in the withdrawal space; separating at least a fraction
of the free liquid from the cellulose chips, the separated free
liquid having a temperature T.sub.out, leading the separated free
liquid in a return line extending from the withdrawal space of the
top separator to a position, at the position, using the free liquid
as the transfer liquid to transfer cellulose chips to the top
separator; carrying out at least one pressurised withdrawal of
black liquor in the digester essentially at a cooking temperature
of at least 135.degree. C.; and adding an additive liquid, having a
temperature T.sub.in, at the withdrawal space of the top separator,
so that the temperature T.sub.in is greater than the temperature
T.sub.out.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cellulose chips
have been impregnated with impregnation liquid in an impregnation
vessel before the cellulose chips are fed in the transfer liquid to
the top separator.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the free liquid that
has been separated is led in the return line from the withdrawal
space of the top separator to an outlet end of the impregnation
vessel in order there to be used as the transfer liquid.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the additive liquid is
added at the withdrawal space downstream of the return line, as
seen in a direction of motion of the cellulose chips.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the additive liquid is
mixed with the cellulose chips under an influence of a screw that
feeds material upwardly in the top separator, and wherein the
digester is a steam phase digester.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the additive liquid is
constituted by a liquid that has been heated.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the liquid that has
been heated is constituted at least partially by a liquid withdrawn
from the top separator.
8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the additive liquid is
constituted at least a part of the pressurised black liquor.
9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the additive liquid is
constituted by at least a part of the pressurised black liquor and
at least a part of a withdrawal from the top separator that has
been heated.
10. The method according to claim 1 wherein a liquid/wood ratio in
the transfer line is greater than or equal to 7, and a residual
liquid in the cellulose chips after the top separator lies at a
liquid/wood ratio that is greater than or equal to 3, where an
amount of the additive liquid that is added lies at a liquid/wood
ratio greater than or equal to 1.
11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the withdrawal space
extends over at least 50% of a threaded height of a screw in the
top separator.
12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the additive liquid
that is added to the top separator has a lower COD level than a
liquid that is withdrawn from the top separator.
13. The method according to claim 1 wherein the additive liquid
that is added to the top separator has a higher COD level than a
liquid that is withdrawn from the top separator.
14. The method according to claim 1 wherein the additive liquid is
added to the upper part of the withdrawal space through an addition
line, and the return line is connected to a lower part of the
withdrawal space.
Description
PRIOR APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application claims priority from Swedish patent
application number SE 0602675-1, filed 13 Dec. 2007, now Swedish
Patent number 529 573.
TECHNICAL AREA
[0002] The present invention concerns a method for producing
cellulose pulp in a continuous digester in an energy-efficient
manner.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In conventional continuous digesters, chips are impregnated
with impregnation liquid in an impregnation vessel. The impregnated
chips are subsequently cooked in a digester, whereby the
impregnation vessel and the digester are coupled to each other by
means of a transfer circulation. The transfer circulation consists
not only of a transfer line that feeds the chips from the outlet
end of the impregnation vessel to the top of the digester for the
separation of free liquid in a top separator, but also of a return
line that feeds separated liquid from the top of the digester to
the outlet end of the impregnation vessel in order to be used as
transfer liquid for the impregnated chips.
[0004] In a steam phase digester steam is added at the top of the
vessel, in order to heat the chips before the cooking is begun.
This steam requires a great deal of energy and several inventions
for this reason have been directed towards reducing the requirement
for steam that is added to the digester.
[0005] SE 518 957 reveals an invention in which one of the aims is
to reduce the requirement for the supply of steam to the top of the
digester. According to this patent, a fraction of the black liquor
withdrawn from the digester is added at the beginning of the
transfer flow at what is essentially the withdrawal temperature
T.sub.av, which the liquor has retained, with the aim of raising
the temperature of the chips mixture in the transfer circulation. A
fraction of the withdrawn liquid from the top separator of the
digester is returned to the impregnation vessel such that it there
can act as impregnation liquid. A heating of the chips is obtained
with this invention, which ensures that the consumption of steam at
the top of the digester can be reduced, and the steam can therefore
be used for another purpose. One limitation of this method is that
the temperature of the black liquor that is added should not be too
high, since this would then introduce the risk of steam
implosion.
[0006] SE 511 850 reveals a way of simplifying the digestion plant
with respect to the withdrawal of liquid from the digestion system
before the initial phase of the cooking, such that the design of
the impregnation vessel can be simplified. In one preferred
embodiment of the invention, cooking liquid is added to the top
separator after the separation of liquid in order to be mixed with
the fibre material that has a low liquid content under the
influence of a screw in the top separator that feeds material in an
upward direction.
[0007] The top separator of SE 511 850 has a rotating screw that is
arranged vertically. The top separator has also a lower sieve
section that is surrounded by a wall in order to form an
intermediate liquid chamber for the collection of liquid, which
liquid is pressed out through the sieve section under the influence
of the screw. A ring-shaped supply pipe is arranged around the
screw. Holes are arranged in the ring-shaped supply pipe for the
supply of white liquor and possibly also other liquid to the chips.
The return line is connected to the liquid chamber. Steam at
intermediate pressure is added through a line to the upper steam
space of the digester at the top of the digester in connection with
the top separator in order to heat the chips that are fed in by the
screw and that fall down over the edge. There is no connection
between the withdrawal space and the ring-shaped supply line.
[0008] One risk with this solution is that the liquid that is added
in the supply line can give rise to blockage at the top of the
digester since the added liquid can risk flushing the chips in a
backwards direction.
[0009] A first object of the present invention is to reduce the
requirement of heating with steam at the top of the digester.
[0010] A second object of the present invention is to be able to
heat the chips before the cooking process using a temperature of
the hot liquid that is higher than that which is possible when the
heating is carried out at the transfer flow.
[0011] A third object of the present invention is to avoid clogging
at the top separator in a steam phase digester.
[0012] The concept of the present invention is to achieve a method
for producing cellulose pulp in a continuous digester system that
is efficient in its use of energy. In a conventional continuous
digester, chips are fed continuously in a transfer liquid to a top
separator arranged at the top of a digester.
[0013] Separation of free liquid from the cellulose chips into a
withdrawal space where the liquid is collected takes place in the
top separator. A fraction of the free liquid is drawn from the
withdrawal space in a return line, to a position at which it can
act as transfer liquid.
[0014] The present invention is characterised in that a hot
additive liquid is added to the withdrawal space of the top
separator. The temperature of the hot additive liquid that is added
to the withdrawal space is greater than the temperature of the
withdrawn liquid in the free liquid in the return line. The
following advantages are achieved in that the hot liquid is added
to the withdrawal space [0015] Any heating that takes place in the
transfer circulation can be reduced or totally eliminated, which
ensures that the heating of the chips can be carried out by a
liquid at a higher temperature than that which is possible in, for
example, the invention described in SE 518 957. [0016] The amount
of steam that is added at the top can be reduced. [0017] The hot
additive liquid that is added at the withdrawal position does not
flush the chips against the direction of motion, and this means
that the risk of blockage at the top of the digester is reduced.
[0018] This method ensures that the withdrawal space is filled with
liquid all the time, which prevents blockage of the top
separator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 shows a second preferred embodiment of a digester
system according to the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a third preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a top separator arranged at the top of a
digester according to the method of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] FIGS. 1 and 4 show a first preferred embodiment of a method
for producing cellulose pulp in a continuous digester system in an
energy-efficient manner. Cellulose chips are fed continuously to an
impregnation vessel 10 in order to be impregnated in an
impregnation liquid in the impregnation vessel 10.
[0024] Once the impregnation is finished, the impregnated chips are
fed with a transfer liquid in a transfer line 11 to a top separator
20 arranged at the top of a digester 30, for the separation of free
liquid from the cellulose chips, where the digester 30 is a steam
phase digester.
[0025] The transfer line 11 is connected to the bottom of the top
separator 20 and the chips are thus fed upwards through the top
separator.
[0026] In accordance with FIG. 4, the top separator 20 has a
rotating upwardly feeding screw 22 that is arranged vertically. The
top separator 20 has also a screening surface 23, which is
surrounded by an impenetrable wall 24 for the formation of an
intermediate withdrawal space 21, for the collection of free liquid
that is pressed out through the screening surface 23 under the
influence of the screw 22. The withdrawal space 21 extends over at
least 50%, preferably at least 75%, of the threaded height of the
screw 22.
[0027] At least a fraction of the free liquid that has separated is
led in a return line 32 from the withdrawal space of the top
separator to the outlet end of the impregnation vessel in order to
be used as transfer liquid. The return line 22 is connected to the
lower part of the withdrawal space 21 and the temperature of the
withdrawn liquid in the return line 32 is T.sub.out. A means 35 of
creating pressure, preferably in the form of a pump, is arranged in
the return line 22.
[0028] At least one pressurised withdrawal of black liquor is
carried out in the digester 30 essentially at the cooking
temperature of at least 135.degree. C. A fraction of this
pressurised withdrawal of black liquor can be led to the bottom of
the impregnation vessel along a black liquor line 34.
[0029] An additive liquid with a temperature T.sub.in is added
through an addition line 33 connected to the upper part of the
withdrawal space, where this additive liquid consists of at least
part of the black liquor withdrawal. The additive liquid is mixed
with the chips under the influence of the screw 22 that feeds
material upwards. The relationship between the temperature of the
black liquor withdrawal that is added to the withdrawal space and
the temperature of the free liquid withdrawn from the withdrawal
space is such that T.sub.in>T.sub.out. The additive liquid that
is led in the addition line 33 is added to the withdrawal space 21
downstream of the return line 32, when seen in the direction of
motion of the chips.
[0030] The liquid/wood ratio in the transfer line 11 is .gtoreq.7,
the remaining liquid in the chips after they have passed the top
separator lies at a liquid/wood ratio of .gtoreq.3 and the amount
of additive liquid in the addition line 33 that is added to the
withdrawal space 21 lies at a liquid/wood ratio .gtoreq.1.
[0031] The level of COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) in the additive
liquid that is added at the top separator 20 may be either lower or
higher than that of the free liquid that is withdrawn at the top
separator 20 in the return line 32.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows a second preferred embodiment according to the
method according to the invention. Instead of using the pressurised
black liquor withdrawal as additive liquid, at least a part of the
free liquid that is withdrawn at the withdrawal space 21 is here
used. This withdrawal is heated in a heat exchanger 40, before it
is led in the addition line 33 to the withdrawal space 21 as
additive liquid, where the temperature of the additive liquid
T.sub.in is higher than T.sub.out. The heating agent with which the
additive liquid exchanges liquid in the heat exchanger 40 may be
constituted of the pressurised black liquor withdrawal. Other types
of heating are possible instead of that of exchanging heat with
liquids, such as, for example, heating by steam. This embodiment
otherwise is identical with the first preferred embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a third preferred embodiment according to the
method according to the invention. The additive liquid in this
embodiment is constituted by two liquids: partly the pressurised
black liquor withdrawal according to the first preferred
embodiment, and partly the heated free liquid that is withdrawn at
the withdrawal space according to the second preferred embodiment.
This embodiment otherwise is identical with the first preferred
embodiment.
[0034] The following positive advantages are achieved with the
present invention: [0035] Any heating that takes place in the
transfer circulation can be reduced or totally eliminated, which
ensures that the heating of the chips can be carried out by a
liquid at a higher temperature than that which is possible in, for
example, the invention described in SE 518 957. [0036] The amount
of steam that is added at the top can be considerably reduced.
[0037] The hot additive liquid that is added at the withdrawal
position does not flush the chips against the direction of motion,
and this means that the risk of blockage at the top of the digester
is reduced. [0038] This method ensures that the withdrawal space is
filled with liquid all the time, which prevents blockage of the top
separator. [0039] The hot additive liquid does not noticeably
affect the temperature in the transfer flow.
[0040] Several embodiments than those described above are possible
within the framework of the attached patent claims. It is not
necessary, for example, that the chips be impregnated in an
impregnation vessel before they are fed in the transfer liquid up
to the top separator. The chips instead can be subject to steam
pre-treatment in a steam pre-treatment vessel, or they may be
treated by some other method.
[0041] It is thus fully without significance for the innovative
concept of the present invention how the chips have been treated
before they are fed into the top separator. The important point is
that a liquid is added to the withdrawal space, which liquid has a
temperature that is higher than the temperature that is withdrawn
in the return line from the withdrawal space.
[0042] The additive liquid can, as in the third preferred
embodiment, be constituted by two liquids, and it can also be
constituted by more than two liquids. The only point that is
important for the innovative concept of the invention is that the
temperature of the additive liquid is higher than the temperature
of the withdrawal that is drawn in the return line.
[0043] While the present invention has been described in accordance
with preferred compositions and embodiments, it is to be understood
that certain substitutions and alterations may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit and scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *