# US 2014/0190643 A1 · Method of and an arrangement for transferring a process liquid, an industrial facility and a method of simplifying the layout of such > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190643 A1 - Document ID: US20140190643A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/146,599 - Filed: 2014-01-02 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-04 - Assignees: Sulzer Pumpen AG - Applicants: Sulzer Pumpen AG - Inventors: Reijo VESALA; Vesa Vikman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190643A1 ## CPC - D21C 9/02: Washing {; Displacing cooking or pulp-treating liquors contained in the pulp by fluids, e.g. wash water or other pulp-treating agents} - D21C 7/08: Discharge devices - D21C 9/002: {by chemical means; preparation of dewatered pulp, e.g. in sheet or bulk form, containing special additives} - D21D 1/40: Washing the fibres - D21F 1/06: Regulating pulp flow - F04D 7/045: {with means for comminuting, mixing stirring or otherwise treating} - Y10T 29/49716: Converting - D21C: PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE BY REMOVING NON-CELLULOSE SUBSTANCES FROM CELLULOSE-CONTAINING MATERIALS; REGENERATION OF PULPING LIQUORS; APPARATUS THEREFOR - D21D: TREATMENT OF THE MATERIALS BEFORE PASSING TO THE PAPER-MAKING MACHINE - D21F: PAPER-MAKING MACHINES; METHODS OF PRODUCING PAPER THEREON - F04D: NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS (engine fuel-injection pumps F02M; ion pumps H01J41/12; electrodynamic pumps H02K44/02) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The present invention relates to a method of and an arrangement for transferring a process liquid from a washing and thickening device to a subsequent process stage. In accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the method and the arrangement are applicable, for example, in transferring fibre suspensions or pulps from washing and thickening device to a subsequent process stage in pulp and paper making industry such that the dilution of pulp after a washing and thickening device is performed in a stand pipe (18) below the surface level control range. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of transferring a process liquid from a washing and thickening device to a subsequent process stage, the method comprising the steps of: Discharging the process liquid in a first consistency from a washing and thickening device (10), Taking the process liquid to a stand pipe (18), Diluting the process liquid to a second consistency, i.e. to an MC-consistency, Providing the stand pipe (18) with means (24) for measuring the surface level of the process liquid in the stand pipe (18), the measuring means (24) having a surface level control range with an upper surface level control limit (26), and a lower surface level control limit (28) for maintaining, when in use, the surface level of the process liquid between the upper and the lower surface level control limits, Discharging the process liquid in the second consistency from said stand pipe (18) by means of a pump (22) arranged in flow communication with a discharge outlet opening (20) provided in the stand pipe (18), characterized by the further step of Providing the process liquid in the surface level control range in the stand pipe (18) with an average consistency, i.e. a third consistency, the third consistency being at least 1.5 times the second consistency. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the third consistency is at least 2 times the second consistency. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, characterized by performing the dilution of the process liquid to the second consistency in the stand pipe (18) below the lower surface level control limit (28) of the surface level control range. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method as recited in claim 3, characterized by performing the dilution by means of one of a rotary device (40, 50) having one or more blades or paddles (44, 54) and a rotary device (40, 50) feeding the process liquid towards the discharge outlet opening (20). ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method as recited in claim 4, characterized by measuring the surface level of the process liquid in the stand pipe (18) by means of using one of a rotary device (42) having one or more blades (46) within the surface level control range, gamma ray and process tomography. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 characterized in that the first consistency is about 20-50%, and that the second consistency is above 8%, preferably between 6 and 15%. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, characterized by at least one of heating the process liquid by means of the dilution liquid and adding a chemical to the process liquid by means of the dilution liquid. ### Claim 8 An arrangement for transferring a process liquid from a washing and thickening device to a subsequent process stage, the arrangement comprising the washing and thickening device (10) from which the process liquid is discharged at a first consistency, means for diluting the process liquid, a stand pipe (18) to which the process liquid is discharged, means (24) for measuring surface level of the process liquid in the stand pipe (18), a discharge outlet opening (20) for discharging diluted process liquid from the stand pipe (18), a pump (22) arranged in flow communication with the discharge outlet opening (20) for transferring the process liquid further in a second consistency, the measuring means being provided with a surface level control range having an upper surface level control limit (26) and a lower surface level control limit (28), characterized in that the diluting means comprises means (30, 44, 54) for spreading and feeding dilution liquid to the cross section of the stand pipe (18) in communication with the process liquid and that the diluting means (30, 44, 54) is positioned and dimensioned such that the average consistency of the process liquid in the surface level control range, i.e. a third consistency, is at least 1.5 times the second consistency. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The arrangement as recited in claim 8, characterized in that the dilution means are one or more nozzles or openings for introducing dilution liquid to the process liquid. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The arrangement as recited in claim 9, characterized in that the one or more nozzles (30) or openings are arranged to one of the perimeter of the stand pipe (18) and an end of a pipe (42, 52) extending into the stand pipe (18). ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The arrangement as recited in claim 10, characterized in that the pipe (42, 52) is a rotary hollow shaft of mixing means (40, 50). ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The arrangement as recited in claims 11, characterized in that the rotary hollow shaft (42, 52) is provided with blades or paddles (44, 54) for introducing and/or mixing the dilution liquid with the process liquid. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11, 12) The arrangement as recited in claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the rotary hollow shaft (42) extends into the stand pipe (18) from above and is provided with blades (46) positioned within the surface level control range, the blades (46) being used for measuring the surface level in the stand pipe (18). ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The arrangement as recited in claim 8, characterized in that the pump (22) is provided with process liquid fluidizing means (38) extending in the discharge outlet opening (20) of the stand pipe (18). ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The arrangement as recited in claim 8, characterized in that the washing and thickening device (10 is one of a single roll wash press, a twin roll wash press, a drum filter, a DrumDisplacer™ washer and a screw press. ### Claim 16 An industrial facility having at least one tower (64, 66) for treating a process liquid, and a washing and thickening device (10) for washing and thickening the process liquid, characterized in that the washing and thickening device (10) is supported on the same floor BF with the tower (64, 66). ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The industrial facility as recited in claim 16, characterized in that the industrial facility is one of a chemical pulp mill, a recycled fibre mill, a mechanical fibre mill, a biomass treatment facility and a biofuel production facility. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The industrial facility as recited in claim 16, characterized in a stand pipe (18) provided at its bottom part with a discharge pump (22) arranged on the same floor BF with the tower (64, 66) and the washing and thickening device (10) for receiving the process liquid from the washing and thickening device (10) and for transferring the process liquid further in the facility. ### Claim 19 A method of simplifying the layout of an industrial facility used for treating a process liquid in at least two successive process steps, the industrial facility having a washing and thickening device with a structural height, where washing and thickening is performed, and a stand pipe used for transferring the process liquid from the washing and thickening device to a subsequent process step, the method comprising the step of performing at least one of Taking the structural height of the washing and thickening device in use, Arranging the introduction of the process liquid from the washing and thickening device to the stand pipe by means of an upwardly inclined feeding means, and Reducing the height of required surface level control range in the stand pipe, for bringing the washing and thickening device at a lower level in the industrial facility. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, characterized by taking the structural height of the washing and thickening device in full use by arranging the discharge from the washing and thickening device directly into the stand pipe. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, characterized by reducing the height of required surface level control range in the stand pipe by arranging the average consistency of the process liquid in the surface level control range at least 1.5 times higher than the consistency of the process liquid to be discharged.