Apparatus and method for chemically loading fibers in a fiber suspension

摘要

A fiber loading apparatus continuously loads fibers in a fiber suspension with a chemical compound. A pulper has an inner chamber, a shear imparting device within the inner chamber, an inlet and an outlet. The pulper inlet receives a fiber suspension at a consistency of between 20 and 30%. The shear imparting device, which may be configured as a rotor, imparts high shear forces to the fiber suspension. A fluffer includes an inner chamber, an inlet and an outlet. The fluffer inlet is connected with the pulper outlet. A reactor includes an inner chamber, an inlet and an outlet. The reactor inlet is connected with the fluffer outlet. A gas supply is connected with the fluffer inner chamber and/or reactor inner chamber. The gas supply supplies and pressurizes the fluffer inner chamber and/or reactor inner chamber with a gas, such as carbon dioxide or ozone, acting as a reactant for the chemical compound to be loaded into fibers of the fiber suspension. A mixing device includes an inner chamber, an inlet, an outlet and a shear imparting device. The mixing device inlet is connected with a reactor outlet for receiving the loaded fiber suspension. The shear imparting device, such as a rotor, is disposed within the inner chamber and imparts lower shear forces to the fiber suspension.