Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A process for the chemical bleaching or alkaline refining of cellulose pulp which comprises, in sequence, the steps of: (1) impregnating the cellulose pulp with refining chemicals in an amount selected to effect chemical modification of the pulp; (2) adjusting the pulp consistency to within the range from about 30 to about 70%; and (3) passing the pulp in finely divided form and in turbulent flow through a reaction zone from one end to another end thereof in a gaseous atmosphere consisting essentially of steam at a superatmospheric pressure within the range from about 5 to about 400 kPa and a temperature within the range from about 100° to about 150° C. at which the chemical modification proceeds without a mechanical working sufficient to change the degree of beating of the pulp by more than about 2° (Schopper-Riegler) and the freeness of the pulp by more than about 10 ml, and with less than an 8% change in the pulp dry solids content, at a flow rate to create the turbulence such that the impregnated chemicals are substantially completely consumed by the time the pulp reaches the end of the zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A process for the chemical bleaching or alkaline refining of cellulose pulp which comprises, in sequence, the steps of: (1) impregnating the cellulose pulp with refining chemicals in an amount selected to effect chemical modification of the pulp; (2) adjusting the pulp consistency to within the range from about 30 to about 70%; and (3) passing the pulp in finely divided form and in turbulent flow through a reaction zone from one end to another end thereof in a gaseous atmosphere consisting essentially of steam at a superatmospheric pressure within the range from about 5 to about 400 kPa and a temperature within the range from about 100° to about 150° C. at which the chemical modification proceeds without a mechanical working sufficient to change the degree of beating of the pulp by more than about 2° (Schopper-Riegler) and the freeness of the pulp by more than about 10 ml, and with less than an 8% change in the pulp dry solids content, at a flow rate to create the turbulence such that the impregnated chemicals are substantially completely consumed by the time the pulp reaches the end of the zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in whcih the gaseous steam atmosphere contains less than 1% by volume of oxygen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in which the refining chemicals comprise a bleaching agent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in which the bleaching agent is a peroxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in which the refining chemicals comprise alkali.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in which the alkali is sodium hydroxide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process in accordance with claim 1, in which the solids content of the pulp during passage through the zone changes by less than 6%.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in which the pulp is brought to a pulp consistency within the range from about 45% to about 65%.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in which the refining chemical is a bleaching agent, the superatmospheric pressure is within the range from about 100 to about 200 kPa, and steam is removed from the pulp after discharge from the zone and recycled to the zone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process in accordance with claim 9 in which the cellulose pulp is a high-yield pulp, and the bleaching chemical is a peroxide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process in accordance with claim 9 in which the cellulose pulp is a high-yield pulp, and the bleaching chemical is dithionite.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
A process in accordance with claim 9 in which before entry into the zone the pulp is impregnated with a complexing agent, dewatered to a consistency of from 10% to 35%, impregnated with bleaching agent, pressed and converted into flake form, and then passed into the zone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in which the refining chemical is an alkali, the superatmospheric pressure is within the range from 50 to 300 kPa, steam is separated from the pulp upon discharge from the zone, and recycled to the zone, the refined pulp being washed and dried.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process in accordance with claim 13 in which the pulp is a sulfite pulp, and the alkali is sodium hydroxide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in which the refined pulp is dried.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process in accordance with claim 15 in which the drying is carried out in a flash dryer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process in accordance with claim 16 in which the flash drying is carried out with superheated steam in direct contact with pulp.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process in accordance with claim 17 in which excess steam from the drying is recycled.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in which the cellulose pulp is continuously fed into the reaction zone at one end and withdrawn from the reaction zone at the other end, controlling the traverse time through the zone such that the impregnating chemicals are substantially consumed by the time the pulp reaches the end of the zone.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
66 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in which the cellulose pulp is fed into the reaction zone in batches and conveyed as batches through the zone from one end and withdrawn from the reaction zone at the other end, controlling the traverse time through the zone such that the impregnating chemicals are substantially consumed by the time the pulp reaches the end of the zone.