US 5,965,017 A · Sealed shower system for rotary vacuum filter

Abstract

A sealed shower system applies shower water to a pulp mat as it passes through a sealed chamber under a vacuum with an air supply that is externally regulated. The shower water forms a pond or film on the pulp mat. The amount of entrapped air is minimized through a downleg of a filter drum which results in maximum filtrate flow, an increased drainage rate, higher efficiency washing and a requirement for less shower water per pound of pulp. In addition, with less entrapped air in the filtrate, the length of the downleg can be reduced enabling lower building heights, smaller filtrate tanks and foam handling systems. The sealed shower system also forms part of a combined shower/hood structure that greatly reduces exhaust emissions.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A shower system for a rotary vacuum filter comprising:

a) at least one shower module including at least one shower;
b) support means for supporting the shower module over a surface of a rotary drum filter that is suspended in a vat structure;
and
c) sealing means for sealing top, side and bottom portions of the shower module, wherein the sealing means includes a separator plate that extends into the vat structure to seal a bottom portion of the shower module when a fluid is contained in the vat structure.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sealed shower system for rotary vacuum filter

Life of this patent

Sealed shower system for rotary vacuum filter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15