Minimization of malodorous gas release from a cellulose pulp mill feed system

A method of minimizing the release of malodorous TRS-containing gases from a comminuted cellulosic fibrous material feed system having a pressure isolation device with an inlet and outlet, and a treatment vessel connected to the outlet, said method comprising:

• (a) introducing comminuted cellulosic fibrous material at a first pressure to the inlet of the pressure isolation device;
• (b) transferring the material to the outlet of the pressure isolation device at a second pressure, higher than the first pressure;
• (c) discharging the material from the pressure isolation device to the treatment vessel;
• (d) discharging malodorous gases from the pressure isolation device substantially independently of the discharge of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material therethrough;
• (e) pressurizing at least some of the malodorous gases discharged in (d) to increase the pressure thereof;
• and
• (f) re-introducing the pressurized malodorous gases into the flow of comminuted cellulosic material downstream of the pressure isolation device.

A method of minimizing the release of malodorous TRS-containing gases from a comminuted cellulosic fibrous material feed system having a star-type feeder with an inlet and outlet, said method comprising:

• (a) introducing comminuted cellulosic fibrous material at a first pressure to the inlet of the star-type feeder;
• (b) rotating the star-type feeder, so as to transfer the material to the outlet of the star-type feeder at a second pressure, higher than the first pressure;
• (c) discharging the material from the star-type feeder outlet;
• (d) discharging malodorous gases from the star-type feeder substantially independently of the discharge of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material therefrom;
• (e) pressurizing substantially all of the malodorous gases discharged in (d) to increase the pressure thereof;
• and
• (f) introducing the pressurized malodorous gases from (e) into the flow of comminuted cellulosic material downstream of the star-type feeder.

A method of minimizing the release of malodorous TRS-containing gases from a comminuted cellulosic fibrous material feed system, said method comprising:

• (a) providing comminuted cellulosic fibrous material at a first pressure in the feed system and ultimately discharging the comminuted cellulosic material from the feed system;
• (b) discharging malodorous gases from the feed system at a gas discharge point, substantially independently of the discharge of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material therefrom;
• (c) pressurizing substantially of the malodorous gas discharged in (b) to increase the pressure thereof by at least 2 psig and to between about 11-31 psig;
• and
• (d) re-introducing the pressurized gas from (c) into the flow of comminuted cellulosic material downstream of the gas discharge point.