A method to be used in conjunction with a single-stage or multi-stage process for leaching ash originating from the recovery boiler of a pulp mill, particularly when the ash contains a significant amount of carbonate, wherein calcium compounds, such as calcium oxide (CaO) or calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH).sub.2), are employed as additives in one or more leaching stages, a liquid fraction formed in the leaching process is utilized outside the main chemical recovery cycle, such as a substitute for purchased sodium hydroxide in the bleaching line of the pulp mill, and a solids fraction may be mixed with a black-liquor stream of the mill or subjected to further processing to separate calcium compounds for recycle.

A method of treating fly ash containing sodium sulfate from a recovery boiler of a chemical pulp mill. This method includes at least the following steps: a) ash is dissolved in an aqueous solution and the pH of the solution is adjusted with alkali for precipitating impurities, b) the solution is filtered for removing the impurities containing precipitate, c) sodium sulfate is crystallized from the solution and the crystals are separated from the solution by filtering or by centrifugation, and d) the crystallized sodium sulfate is used as initial material for producing sodium and sulfur containing chemicals or as process chemical.

A vapor relief strainer cleaning assembly comprises a turbine and dislodger assembly, wherein the turbine is configured to move a dislodger assembly disposed within a vapor screen relief vessel. Exemplary dislodger assemblies are configured to be powered by vapor or gas and to use excess vapor or gas optionally to dislodge non-condensable contaminants from the filter screen or to facilitate contaminant dislodgement from the inner wall of the filter screen.

A method of treating fly ash containing sodium sulfate from a recovery boiler of a chemical pulp mill. This method includes at least the following steps: a) ash is dissolved in an aqueous solution and the pH of the solution is adjusted with alkali for precipitating impurities, b) the solution is filtered for removing the impurities containing precipitate, c) sodium sulfate is crystallized from the solution and the crystals are separated from the solution by filtering or by centrifugation, and d) the crystallized sodium sulfate is used as initial material for producing sodium and sulfur containing chemicals or as process chemical.

The method in a recovery boiler comprises estimating the first melting temperature T.sub.0 of the fly ash depositing on heat transfer surfaces, the estimating being based on potassium (K) content of the fly ash; measuring or estimating the temperature T.sub.ss of superheated steam; evaluating a temperature difference T.sub.D1 between the first melting temperature T.sub.0 and the temperature T.sub.ss of the superheated steam, the temperature difference T.sub.D1 providing an estimate of the risk of corrosion; and selecting a control action for influencing the temperature difference T.sub.D1. Alternatively or additionally, the method comprises estimating the sticky temperature T.sub.STK of the fly ash depositing on heat transfer surfaces, the estimating being based on potassium (K) and chlorine (Cl) contents of the fly ash; measuring or estimating the temperature T.sub.FG of the flue gases; evaluating a temperature difference T.sub.D2 between the sticky temperature T.sub.STK and the temperature T.sub.FG of the flue gases; the temperature difference T.sub.D2 providing an estimate of the risk of plugging; and selecting a control action for influencing the temperature difference T.sub.D2.

The present application discloses an alternative method for selective removal of K.sup.+ and Cl.sup. from recovery boiler electrostatic precipitator ashes in a kraft-pulp process through the use of pure or impure CO.sub.2, complemented or not with a mineral acid, for instance Sulfuric Acid/Spent Acid.

The method in a recovery boiler comprises estimating the first melting temperature T.sub.0 of the fly ash depositing on heat transfer surfaces, the estimating being based on potassium (K) content of the fly ash; measuring or estimating the temperature T.sub.ss of superheated steam; evaluating a temperature difference T.sub.D1 between the first melting temperature T.sub.0 and the temperature T.sub.ss of the superheated steam, the temperature difference T.sub.D1 providing an estimate of the risk of corrosion; and selecting a control action for influencing the temperature difference T.sub.D1. Alternatively or additionally, the method comprises estimating the sticky temperature T.sub.STK of the fly ash depositing on heat transfer surfaces, the estimating being based on potassium (K) and chlorine (Cl) contents of the fly ash; measuring or estimating the temperature T.sub.FG of the flue gases; evaluating a temperature difference T.sub.D2 between the sticky temperature T.sub.STK and the temperature T.sub.FG of the flue gases; the temperature difference T.sub.D2 providing an estimate of the risk of plugging; and selecting a control action for influencing the temperature difference T.sub.D2.

The present application relates to a system and a method for the removal of non-process elements, such as K.sup.+ or Cl.sup.?, from electrostatic precipitator ashes in a kraft pulp process comprising the addition of a strong acid containing sulfur and CO.sub.2 in separate steps in the ash treatment step.

A vapor relief strainer cleaning assembly comprising a turbine and dislodger assembly, wherein the turbine is configured to move a dislodger assembly disposed within a vapor screen relief vessel. Exemplary dislodger assemblies are configured to be powered by vapor or gas and to use excess vapor or gas optionally to dislodge non-condensable contaminants from the filter screen or to facilitate contaminant dislodgement from the inner wall of the filter screen.

A method of recovering wood pulping chemicals from black liquor produced in a wood pulping process where the process entails burning the black liquor in a recovery boiler to form ash containing high levels of carbonate as well as sodium, potassium and chloride. The ash is dissolved to form a dissolved ash solution that is directed to a first stage crystallization unit that concentrates the dissolved ash solution and which results in the precipitation of sodium sulfate and sodium carbonate. Thereafter the concentrated dissolved ash solution is directed to a second stage crystallization unit which adiabatically cools the concentrated dissolved ash solution to form a glaserite slurry and a purge stream that is rich in chloride. In order to reduce the tendency of sodium carbonate and burkeite to crystallize in the second stage crystallization unit and to encourage pure glaserite to crystalize in the crystallizer, the method entails mixing a sulfate source, such as sodium sulfate or sulfuric acid, to the concentrated dissolved ash solution upstream of the crystallizer.