Apparatus for simulating processing parameters and predicting variables in a papermaking operation including sequential pulsation, gravity and vacuum drainage, fines retention and paper formation

An apparatus to evaluate the drainage, retention and formation characteristics of a paper pulp furnish during the formation of a paper sheet comprising:

• a furnish delivery chamber disposed above a paper sheet forming chamber and a white water collection and vacuum chamber,
• a furnish delivery valve disposed between the furnish delivery chamber and the paper sheet forming chamber consisting of a cone-shaped flow distributor,
• a stationary paper forming surface disposed between the paper sheet forming chamber and white water collection and vacuum chamber,
• a rotatable blade said blade being substantially the same size as the paper forming surface disposed in the white water collection and vacuum chamber underneath and in close proximity to the paper forming surface to generate a pulsation force consisting of alternating positive hydraulic pressure and negative suction pressure on the furnish above the paper forming surface,
• means for measuring the white water collected in the white water collection and vacuum chamber,
• means for measuring the pressure in the white water collection and vacuum chamber,
• means for determining drainage and formation characteristics from said measured values of the white water collected and the pressure, and
• means for sampling the white water for fines retention analysis.