HORIZONTAL RE-PULPING APPARATUS FOR CELLULOSE FIBRES

摘要

A pulping apparatus includes a hollow mixing cylinder selected to retain a volume of pulping fluid and cellulose fibres therein. The mixing cylinder is journaled for rotation about a central axis oriented at approximately + 20° from horizontal. In a preferred construction, the mixing cylinder is divided internally into at least two discrete mixing chambers configured to facilitate outward flow of def?bred pulp from an infeed end of the cylinder to and outwardly from the outlet end. The mixing chamber adjacent the inlet end is delineated by an end cover which closes the inlet end, and by a first divider positioned across the cylinder interior. The next adjacent mixing chamber is delineated longitudinally by the distal-most divider of the end mixing chamber, and by a second further downstream divider spaced longitudinally therefrom. The dividers include at least one through-opening therethrough. The through-openings regulate the flow of pulp and fluid along the mixing cylinder, while maintaining minimum cellulose/fluid levels in each mixing chamber. The through-openings may be positioned in alignment with, or in an asymmetrical arrangement relative to the cylinder axis so as to move eccentrically relative thereto as the mixing cylinder rotates.