David C Tidwell

US Patent:

61905518, Feb 20, 2001

Filed:

Dec 31, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/224578

Inventors:

Philip N. Nelson - Monroe LA
David Tidwell - Monroe LA

Assignee:

Paper, Inc. - Monroe LA

International Classification:

B01D 3306
B01D 3360

US Classification:

210217

Abstract:

The invention provides a shower module that includes an upper elongated chamber, a supply pipe located in the upper elongated chamber, wherein the supply pipe includes at least one discharge opening that faces a side wall of the upper elongated chamber, a lower elongated chamber located adjacent to the upper elongated chamber, wherein fluid flow is provided between the lower elongated chamber and the upper elongated chamber via a transfer opening, and wherein the lower elongated chamber includes a discharge opening; and a coupling mechanism for coupling a flexible member to the lower elongated chamber beneath and substantially parallel to the discharge opening. When incorporated with a rotary vacuum filter, the flexible member causes a reservoir of shower liquid to form on a mat located on the shower drum. The reservoir conforms to the mat across the drum and does not have to be positioned to a nominal mat thickness, and provides a maximum area of coverage on the mat surface to give maximum washing efficiency.

US Patent:

59650176, Oct 12, 1999

Filed:

Jul 15, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/893058

Inventors:

Philip N. Nelson - Monroe LA
Ronnie Marsh - Monroe LA
Donald E. Haley - Monroe LA
David Tidwell - Monroe LA

Assignee:

Paper Inc. - Monroe LA

International Classification:

B01D 3306
B01D 3360
D21C 902
D21C 906

US Classification:

210217

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.