FIBRE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND AN ASSOCIATED METHOD

Abstract

The present invention provides a fibre processing apparatus for the modification fibrous material. The apparatus includes at least one housing body, which has an inlet and an outlet through which fibrous material may flow along a flow path, in use. The housing body further comprises a plurality of fibre modification sections sequentially arranged along the flow path. The apparatus also includes one or more rotatable shaft members provided within the housing body and provided to extend along the flow path from a first end in a first modification section to a second, opposing end in a final modification section. A first plurality of the modification sections includes compression and/or pressure-based modification means, and a second plurality of the modification sections includes mechanical modification means.

Claims

1. A fibre processing apparatus for the modification fibrous material, said apparatus including: at least one housing body, the housing having an inlet and an outlet through which fibrous material may flow along a flow path, in use; the housing body comprising a plurality of fibre modification sections sequentially arranged along the flow path; one or more rotatable shaft members provided within the housing body and provided to extend along the flow path from a first end in a first modification section to a second, opposing end in a final modification section; wherein a first plurality of said modification sections includes compression and/or pressure-based modification means, and a second plurality of said modification sections includes mechanical modification means.

2. (canceled)

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second pluralities of fibre modification sections are arranged in an alternating manner along the flow path.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or more sections comprising compression and/or pressure-based modification means are provided sequentially, followed by one or more sections comprising mechanical modification means, with such an arrangement repeated as is required.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first fibre modification section is provided to be a compression and/or pressure-based modification section, and a second subsequent section is provided to comprise mechanical modification means.

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each compression fibre modification section includes a fluid inlet means and fluid outlet means, each compression modification section being arranged to create a build-up of fluid pressure within each respective section, which serves to act upon and modify the fibrous material, in use.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one water jet-cutting section is provided, said section being located prior to the first compression fibre modification and mechanical fibre modification sections and provided to act as a fibre reducing means.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each compression fibre modification section is arranged to modify and/or pressurize the fibrous material for a predetermined period of time, in use.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least two rotatable shaft members are provided and, within the mechanical fibre modification sections, selected mechanical components are provided on each of said rotatable shaft members.

14. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein two rotatable shaft members are provided in the processing apparatus and mechanical fibre modification components are provided on each rotatable shaft and are provided to be complementary and intermeshing.

15. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the compression fibre modification section or sections form at least 50% of the fibre modification sections along the flow path of the apparatus.

16. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said compression fibre modification sections comprise: a pressure build-up stage; a filter stage; and a back-pressure stage, wherein fluid inlet means are located at the build-up stage and pressure is provided to be highest in the back-pressure stage and lowest in the pressure build-up stage.

17. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or more filter and/or degassing sections are provided, each located intermediate a compression fibre modification section and a mechanical fibre modification section.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said filter and/or degassing sections are located downstream of a compression fibre modification section and upstream of a mechanical fibre modification section.

19. (canceled)

20. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of bearing members is arranged to provide mechanical engagement between the housing body and the one or more rotatable shaft members, and/or components provided thereon.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the bearing members are provided as cassette bearing members and one or more pluralities of cassette bearing members are provided to be located about the one or more rotatable shaft members and/or one or more components provided thereon, at one or more points along a length of the one or more shaft members.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein one or more annular recesses or channels are formed in the interior walls of the housing body, arranged to receive at least a portion of said cassette bearing members.

23. A method of modifying fibrous material, the method including the steps of: introducing a fibrous material for modification into an inlet of an apparatus as described above; the fibrous material entering a first compression and/or pressure-based fibre modification section and being subjected to compression and/or pressure-based fibre modification; the fibrous material exiting the first compression and/or pressure-based fibre modification section and subsequently entering a mechanical fibre modification section and being subjected to mechanical fibre modification; wherein the fibrous material passes sequentially through one or more further alternating arrangements of compression and/or pressure-based fibre modification sections and mechanical fibre modification sections, subsequently exiting the apparatus through an outlet.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the fibrous material passes through sequential fibre modification sections of the apparatus alternating between compression and/or pressure-based fibre modification means, and mechanical fibre modification means.

25. A method according to claim 23, wherein at least three compression and/or pressure-based fibre modification sections are provided alternating with at least three mechanical fibre modification sections.

26. A method according to claim 23, wherein each compression fibre modification section modifies and/or pressurizes the fibrous material for a period of between 5-300 seconds.

27. (canceled)

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

Description

[0093] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0094] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of a fibre processing apparatus for modifying fibrous material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0095] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic of a number of fibre modification sections within a housing body of a fibre processing apparatus for modifying fibrous material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0096] FIGS. 3a-b illustrate the provision of a plurality of cassette bearing members within a housing body of a fibre processing apparatus for modifying fibrous material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0097] FIGS. 4a-b illustrate views of a section of a rotatable shaft assembly with mechanical components provided thereon in a housing body of a fibre processing apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] Referring now to the figures, and firstly to FIG. 1, there is shown a fibre processing apparatus 1 provided to process and modify fibrous material that is required to be processed for subsequent use. The apparatus includes a housing body 3 wherein at a first end thereof there is provided an inlet 5 for introducing the fibrous material to the apparatus 1. The material travels along a flow path through the apparatus 1 and at the opposing end of the housing 3, there is provided an outlet 7 through which the processed fibrous material exits the apparatus 1. Extending along the flow path within the housing 3 there are provided one or more rotatable shaft assemblies which serve to mechanically act upon and modify the fibrous material at certain points within the housing 3. In preferred embodiments, two shafts are provided in the form of a linear fibre processor. The housing 3 comprises a number of distinct fibre modification sections provided sequentially along its length. The fibre modification sections are provided in two distinct forms: a first plurality of the sections 9 include compression or pressure-based fibre modification means. Typically, these sections 9 apply liquid pressure fibre modification/processing to the fibrous material as it passes through those sections. A second plurality of the sections 11 include mechanical fibre modification means. Within the mechanical fibre modification sections 11 the shaft assemblies are provided with a series of mechanical fibre modification components thereon, which serve to physically act upon and process the fibrous material as it passes through those sections.

[0099] As mentioned above, the sections 9, 11 are arranged sequentially along the length of the housing 3, but also, they are provided in an alternating arrangement. That is to say, for example, in a first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, after the material is fed in through the inlet port 5, it first undergoes liquid pressure fibre modification through the pressure fibre modification section 9, and subsequently flows into the mechanical fibre modification section 11 wherein it undergoes mechanical fibre modification. This process may then be repeated one or more times as the material flows into a second pressure fibre modification section, a second mechanical fibre modification section and so on as is required or provided by the specific apparatus 1. Importantly, though, it is the sequential, alternating flow from liquid pressure fibre modification to mechanical fibre modification etc., which ultimately provides for a greatly improved fibre modification process of the material. In some embodiments, they may be provided, for example, one, two or more consecutive pressure fibre modification sections 9 followed by one, two or more mechanical fibre modification sections 11, which sequence, or a variation thereof, is subsequently repeated. In such embodiments, the alternating arrangement remains, however, greater emphasis is preferably placed on the pressure fibre modification sections 9 of the apparatus 1.

[0100] The pressure fibre modification sections 9 each include a liquid inlet port 13 and in preferred embodiments the liquid input is water. In some embodiments, the water may be additionally treated with or include further chemicals or additives to aid in the fibre modification process. Further, there may be provided a water/mineral mix, and such variations will depend ultimately on the fibrous material which is being processed in the apparatus 1 and the specific requirements thereof. The water pressure is allowed to build up in each section and the water-fibrous material mixture is filtered as it passes through. Back-pressure pressure builds up towards the exit point of the pressure fibre modification section 9 which further acts upon and processes the fibrous material before it ultimately exits into the mechanical fibre modification section. The water/filtrate exits the pressure fibre modification sections 9 through a liquid outlet port 15 and can subsequently be recycled and/or re-used as required. FIG. 2 illustrates a further schematic of the housing 3, wherein the pressure fibre modification sections 9 are shown to be further broken down into a pressure build-up stage 17; a filter stage 19; and a back-pressure stage 21, the inlet port 13 feeding into the build-up stage 17. Pressure is provided to be highest in the back-pressure stage 21 and lowest in the pressure build-up stage 17. Pressures will vary in pressure fibre modification section 9 from low at the start/inlet, emerging back into filter area, up to very high as compaction takes place when the fibre enters the back-pressure stage 21. Each of the pressure fibre modification sections 9 are provided to act upon/pressurize the fibrous material for a predetermined period of time, typically, 30-60 seconds. That is to say, the flow rate of the material through the apparatus 1 is such that it will pass through the pressure fibre modification sections in around 30-60 seconds, before moving on to mechanical modification, and on again to further rounds of pressure fibre modification. In pressurizing the fibrous material for short period in this manner, this differs substantially from pressurization techniques employed in pre-treatment steps in the prior art, which subjects the fibrous material to a single period of pressure of around an hour. In practice, the energy requirements for the pressure to backpressure fibre modification are generally regulated to be maintained within commercially acceptable levels. In instances where the pressure may approach to high a level, in some embodiments of the invention, the pressure fibre modification sections 9 may include one or more slots therein, which may be utilised to reduce the pressure and thus energy consumption at a particular time.

[0101] In some embodiments of the invention (not shown), the apparatus 1 may include one or more further inlets, which may be provided either as direct inlets into one or more of the fibre modification sections, or into one or more further sections each located intermediate two fibre modification sections. Such inlets may be provided to permit the injection of additional material into the apparatus and subsequently mix with the fibrous material therein while it is being processed. The additional material may be in the form of any or any combination of fibres, minerals, pigments and/or chemicals, which are added so as to improve the final product characteristics, depending on what is desired for a particular composition. The materials may be added incrementally, either through a single further inlet, or in other embodiments, over two or more further inlet means located along the apparatus 1, as required.

[0102] As mentioned above, in preferred embodiments, the apparatus 1 comprises a dual-shaft fibre processing apparatus along which are positioned a series of fibre modification components. These are present along the shaft assemblies through the mechanical fibre modification sections 11 but, in some embodiments of the invention, absent through the pressure fibre modification sections 9. In other embodiments of the invention, it is also possible to provide one or more of the pressure fibre modification sections 9 to have mixed characteristics, that is to say, one or more components may be provided on the shaft or shafts within at least one of the pressure fibre modification sections 9, which serve to provide physical/mechanical fibre modification simultaneously with the application of pressure, and modification in that manner. Depending on the requirements of the apparatus 1 and the material to be processed, the dual-shaft assembly may comprise co-rotating shaft members or counter-rotating shaft members. The components positioned on a first shaft are provided to be complementary and intermesh with components positioned on the second shaft. The components themselves may be provided in various forms and shapes so as to act upon the fibrous material in differing manners to optimize the fibre modification process. The mechanical fibre modification components are located along the dual-shaft assembly within the fibre modification section 11 to closely abut one another and abut the walls or partitions separating the mechanical and pressure fibre modification sections. This closely arranged manner of the components with respect to each other and also to the wall/partition between sections aids in the build-up of back-pressure in the pressure fibre modification sections 9 and therefore optimize the pressure fibre modification stages in the process. The apparatus 1 comprises a combination of sequentially and alternately arranged mechanical and pressure fibre modification sections, and in preferred embodiments of the invention, the pressure fibre modification sections 9 form at least 50% of those sections such that throughout the fibre modification process the fibrous material undergoes, at least 50% of that process involves liquid pressure fibre modification.

[0103] The present invention is therefore particularly advantageous in that the repeated, alternating, sequential steps of pressure and mechanical fibre modification of the fibrous material results in less fibre width reduction and overall, less physical damage to the fibres. The apparatus 1 of the invention also encourages more homogeneous fibre modification and internal fibre modification. Further, in combining the two fibre modification techniques, the mechanical components of the shaft assemblies suffer far less wear as compared to traditional mechanical fibre modification apparatus, or systems wherein the fibrous material is merely pre-treated under pressure, and then subjected to mechanical modification.

[0104] Another feature of the present invention is the provision of one or more series of bearings 23 arranged to provide mechanical engagement between the housing 3 and the one or more rotatable shafts, or components provided thereon. The bearings 23 in some embodiments can be located within the housing 3 and around the channel 25 through which the one or more shaft members and associated components extend. This is shown in more detail in FIGS. 3a-b. FIG. 3a shows the location of, in this embodiment, a fibre processing channel 25 within the housing 3 through which two shaft members may extend, and an example of one shaft member component 27 in position within that channel 25 and which contacts a series of cassette bearings 23 located around the wall 29 of the channel 25. The bearings 23 are located as a group extending around the channel wall 29 and engaging the shaft member component 27 at a position intermediate the first and second opposing ends of the shaft member. In some embodiments two or more groupings of bearings 23 may be provided at two or more points along the length of the shaft member within the housing 3. In some embodiments of the invention, the bearings 23 are located with the one or more shafts, or components 27 provided thereon, and are arranged to engage interior walls 29 of the housing 3. One or more annular recesses or channels (not shown) may be formed in the interior walls of the housing 3, arranged to receive the outer or radially distal portion or edge of a component 27 provided on the shafts therein, and which includes a series of bearings 23 provided thereon. The component or components which include the bearings 23 are provided to be enlarged with respect to other components to extend into the recess or channel in the interior walls of the housing 3.

[0105] The provision of such series of bearings 23 serves to support the shaft members in position and prevent any undesirable bowing of the shaft assembly. For example, in conventional shaft assemblies, the shafts are supported at each of the opposing ends only. This can lead to bowing of the shafts towards their centre under the combination of their own weight and the weight of the mechanical components provided thereon. This problem is alleviated in the present invention by the provision of one or more groupings of the bearings 23 described above.

[0106] FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention wherein, in this example a dual-shaft fibre processing apparatus is shown, the shafts 31 include at least two distinct types of component provided thereon: the first components 33 have varying forms/formations thereon/shapes and are used to act upon and process the fibrous material passing through the apparatus 1; the second component type 35 is provided with a smooth exterior face and these are positioned to engage the cassette bearings 23 (not shown in FIG. 4) located at equivalent points in the channel wall 29. Consequently, the shafts provided in the housing 3 can therefore be held and retained far more accurately in position along the processing channel 25 of the apparatus 1 keeping the same straight and preventing the occurrence of any bowing. This, in turn, prevents or at least substantially reduces the formation of gaps 37 between the components 33 on the shafts 31 and between the components and the abutting wall or partition between sections 9, 11, thereby improving and aiding the build-up of back-pressure in the pressure fibre modification sections 9, and improving the overall fibre modification process. The provision of the bearings 23 also further serves to increase the longevity of the shafts and components, reducing wear and tear over time to them.

[0107] In instances where one or more of the pressure fibre modification sections 9 are provided as having mixed characteristics, one or more sets of components 35 may be provided on the shaft or shafts within at least one of the pressure fibre modification sections 9. These may be provided in differing forms and/or arrangements from those components 33 located throughout the mechanical fibre modification sections 11. In particular, the form and arrangement of the components 33 in the pressure fibre modification sections 9 may be tailored according to which part of that section 9 in which they are located as their particular requirements and purpose may differ somewhat between, for example, those provided in the build-up stage 17 and those provided in the back-pressure stage 21, where pressure is at its highest and thus the components 33 in that stage may be required to be more tightly packed to aid in the increase in back-pressure. Further, within the mechanical fibre modification sections 11, in some embodiments of the invention, it may also be possible to form two or more distinct stages within those sections, wherein the components 33 may be varied in form, arrangement, density and/or the like, in order to achieve a variation in mechanical fibre modification processes on the fibrous material.

[0108] In some further embodiments of the present invention, while not shown in the present figures, the apparatus 1 may further include one or more filter and/or degassing sections, located intermediate the pressure fibre modification sections 9 and the mechanical fibre modification sections 11. In some embodiments, such filter and/or degassing sections may be located downstream of a pressure fibre modification section 9 upstream of a mechanical fibre modification section 11. That is to say, in some embodiments, after passing through the mechanical fibre modification section 11, the fibrous material may move immediately into a further pressure fibre modification section 9, and only through a filter and/or degassing section after passing through a pressure fibre modification section 9.

[0109] As it is fed into the apparatus 1, the fibrous material to be modified and processed typically has a dry content in the region of 20%-25% for silage/soaked/washed/sludge; 26-40% for shive/stalks; 40-55% for straws/grasses/beets/industrially produced cellulose; 56-75% for stems/beets; and 75%-99% for all pre-dried cellulose-ligno cellulose fibres including stems/beets. For fibrous material having a dry content in the region of 20%-25% (silage/soaked/washed/sludge) prior to processing, after processing through the apparatus 1 of the present invention, the dry content of that material will now be in the region of 40%-50%by increasing the dry content to these levels, this makes any subsequent processing and use of the fibrous material more efficient. Further, this modified and processed fibrous material (silage/soaked/washed/sludge) will have a Schopper-Riegler (SR) value of between 30-40, and more preferably, of between 33-38. Further macro-micro modification of flexible/robust ligno-cellulose and standard cellulose fibres can result in SR values of up to 86. SR ranges of processed material, depending on the make-up of that material, are provided below: [0110] De-inking sludge: 6-30 [0111] Standard Soft/Hardwood cellulose: 12-86 [0112] Straws/Shiv/Stalks: (preferred) 10-25, 26-40, 41-55 [0113] Grasses: (preferred) 10-30, 31-45 [0114] Stems/Beets: (18-25, 2640 41-55, 41-55, 55-70, 70-86).

[0115] The fibre lengths in the final compositions are generally distributed in a skewed bell curve, with the compositions comprising, by weight: [0116] (a) 15% to 25% fibres of a length weighted average fibre length of 0.001 mm to 0.2 mm; [0117] (b) 40% to 60% (preferably 45% to 55%) fibres of a length weighted average fibre length of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm; [0118] (c) 8% to 35% (preferably 20% to 30%) fibres of a length weighted average fibre length of 0.5 mm to 1.2; and [0119] (d) less than 3% (preferably less than 1%) fibres of a length weighted average fibre length of 1.2 mm to 2.0 mm.

[0120] Thus, the composition consists of a significant amount of fines (fibre length <0.2 mm) mixed with short length fibres (fibre length of 0.2-1.2 mm). Additionally, the compositions may have a high degree of modification indicated by a high Water Retention Value (WRV) of 600-2000%, preferably, 700-1300%.

[0121] The apparatus 1 further includes a control panel 39 with a user interface provided thereon, enabling a user to control the various parameters of the apparatus 1 such as the flow rate, pressure range in the pressure fibre modification sections 9, direction and rate of rotation of the shaft assembly or assemblies and the like, ensuring an optimally modified material at the end of the process.

[0122] A further key advantage for this apparatus 1 relates to silica or other abrasive mineral containing ligno-cellulosic fibres. Wear on the shaft assemblies and components for mechanical processing will be avoided due simply to less contact with components in the present invention as these are substituted by the pressure fibre modification sections 9.

[0123] Table 1 below on the following pages serves to illustrate, in a non-limiting manner, the various properties and parameters of an apparatus 1 in accordance with the present invention, and its associated sections and stages. By way of example, three fibrous material types have been described, although the skilled person will appreciate further types, as discussed above, are clearly possible to be fed through the apparatus 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 properties and parameters of an apparatus 1 and its associated sections and stages, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. PROCESS Starter Pressure Pressure Pressure Mechanical Mechanical Mechanical POSITION Material/ modification modification modification Filter/ modification modification modification PARAM- Extruder section 9, section 9, section 9, Degassing section 11, section 11, section 11, ETERS Feed Zone stage 17 stage 19 stage 21 Sections. stage A stage B stage C Material Type/s 1. Agricultural/ 1. Agricultural/ 1. Agricultural/ 1. Agricultural/ 1. Agricultural/ 1. Agricultural/ 1. Agricultural/ 1. Agricultural/ Wild Wild Wild Wild Wild Wild Wild Wild Lignocellulose Lignocellulose Lignocellulose Lignocellulose Lignocellulose Lignocellulose Lignocellulose Lignocellulose Fibres Fibres Fibres Fibres Fibres Fibres Fibres Fibres 2. Industrially 2. Industrially 2. Industrially 2. Industrially 2. Industrially 2. Industrially 2. Industrially 2. Industrially Produced Produced Produced Produced Produced Produced Produced Produced Cellulose Cellulose Cellulose Cellulose Cellulose Cellulose Cellulose Cellulose 3. Recycled 3. Recycled 3. Recycled 3. Recycled 3. Recycled 3. Recycled 3. Recycled 3. Recycled cellulose/ cellulose/ cellulose/ cellulose/ cellulose/ cellulose/ cellulose/ cellulose/ lignocellulose lignocellulose lignocellulose lignocellulose lignocellulose lignocellulose lignocellulose lignocellulose fibres fibres fibres fibres fibres fibres fibres fibres Fibre 1-100 1-100 1-100 1-100 1-100 1-100 1-100 1-100 Throughput 100-500 100-500 100-500 100-500 100-500 100-500 100-500 100-500 (Wet) 500-1000 500-1000 500-1000 500-1000 500-1000 500-1000 500-1000 500-1000 KG per hour 1000-2000 1000-2000 1000-2000 1000-2000 1000-2000 1000-2000 1000-2000 1000-2000 2000-5000 2000-5000 2000-5000 2000-5000 2000-5000 2000-5000 2000-5000 2000-5000 5000-10000 5000-10000 5000-10000 5000-10000 5000-10000 5000-10000 5000-10000 5000-10000 10000-20000 10000-20000 10000-20000 10000-20000 10000-20000 10000-20000 10000-20000 10000-20000 Screw RPM 50-1500 50-1500 50-1500 50-1500 50-1500 50-1500 50-1500 50-1500 range Screw/ 40-50 mm 40-50 mm 40-50 mm 40-50 mm 40-50 mm 40-50 mm 40-50 mm 40-50 mm Components 50-60 mm 50-60 mm 50-60 mm 50-60 mm 50-60 mm 50-60 mm 50-60 mm 50-60 mm diameter 60-70 mm 60-70 mm 60-70 mm 60-70 mm 60-70 mm 60-70 mm 60-70 mm 60-70 mm 70-80 mm 70-80 mm 70-80 mm 70-80 mm 70-80 mm 70-80 mm 70-80 mm 70-80 mm 80-90 mm 80-90 mm 80-90 mm 80-90 mm 80-90 mm 80-90 mm 80-90 mm 80-90 mm 90-100 mm 90-100 mm 90-100 mm 90-100 mm 90-100 mm 90-100 mm 90-100 mm 90-100 mm 100-110 mm 100-110 mm 100-110 mm 100-110 mm 100-110 mm 100-110 mm 100-110 mm 100-110 mm 110-120 mm 110-120 mm 110-120 mm 110-120 mm 110-120 mm 110-120 mm 110-120 mm 110-120 mm Solid Content 1-99% 1-99% 1-99% 1-99% 1-99% 1-99% 1-99% 1-99% Housing 1-100 1-100 Pressure/s 100-250 (Bar) Fluid/Steam 1-10 input pressure 10-50 (Bar) 50-100 100-250 250-500 500-1000 1000-3000 Barrel 1-20 1-20 1-20 1-20 1-20 1-20 1-20 1-20 Temperature 20-35 20-35 20-35 20-35 20-35 20-35 20-35 20-35 ( C.) 35-50 35-50 35-50 35-50 35-50 35-50 35-50 35-50 50-75 50-75 50-75 50-75 50-75 50-75 50-75 50-75 75-100 75-100 75-100 75-100 75-100 75-100 75-100 75-100 100-150 100-150 100-150 100-150 100-150 100-150 100-150 100-150 150-250 150-250 150-250 150-250 150-250 150-250 150-250 150-250 250-500 250-500 250-500 250-500 250-500 250-500 250-500 250-500 Material (Wet) 1-20 1-20 1-20 1-20 1-20 1-20 1-20 1-20 Temperature 20-35 20-35 20-35 20-35 20-35 20-35 20-35 20-35 ( C.) 35-50 35-50 35-50 35-50 35-50 35-50 35-50 35-50 50-75 50-75 50-75 50-75 50-75 50-75 50-75 50-75 75-100 75-100 75-100 75-100 75-100 75-100 75-100 75-100 100-150 100-150 100-150 100-150 100-150 100-150 100-150 100-150 150-250 150-250 150-250 150-250 150-250 150-250 150-250 150-250 250-500 250-500 250-500 250-500 250-500 250-500 250-500 250-500 Water Feed 1-20 1-20 1-20 Temperature 20-100 20-100 20-100 ( C.) 100-200 100-200 100-200 200-500 200-500 200-500 Ratio of Fluid 1:1-1:5 1:1-1:5 1:1-1:5 Feed to 1:5-1:10 1:5-1:10 1:5-1:10 Kilograms Wet 1:10-1:50 1:10-1:50 1:10-1:50 Fibre per hour 1:50-1:100 1:50-1:100 1:50-1:100 Water Flow 1-3 1-3 1-3 rate for 3-10 3-10 3-10 Pressure and 10-50 10-50 10-50 Cutting 50-100 50-100 50-100 Purposes 100-250 100-250 100-250 (Litres Per 250-500 250-500 250-500 Minute) 500-1000 500-1000 500-1000 Exit Fluid/ 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 Steam quantity/ 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 (Litres 3-10 3-10 3-10 3-10 per minute) 10-50 10-50 10-50 10-50 50-100 50-100 50-100 50-100 Exit Fluid Clean properties Nano fibre Micro fibre Macro fibre MM size fibre Protein Lignin BioChemical Sand/Earth derivatives Agro Crop/ other Cellulse/ Ligno cellulose fibre transportable chemicals Fibre path & Fibre internal Fibre internal Fibre internal Material Fibre external Fibre external Fibre external properties and external and external and external transport modification modification modification modification modification modification through to Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 back pressure zone Returned fibre bound/surface water + Pumped water Component/s Bearing- Bearing- Bearing- Bearing- Transport Bearing- Bearing- Bearing- Role Stability Stability Stability Stability Ease of Stability Stability Stability Transport/ Open Open Open material Open Vertical Transport- Transport- Transport- forward flow + Fibre Fibre Fibre Mass forward Relaxation- Relaxation- Relaxation- allow back Engineering- Engineering- Engineering- transport of water water water pressured Contact Contact Contact gravity/force absorption absorption absorption extract to exit Modification Modification Modification fed Fibre/ Transport- Transport- Transport- Standard Standard Standard Materials into Forwarding/ Forwarding/ Forwarding/ Transport- Transport- Transport- first main Pressure Pressure Pressure Fibre forward Fibre forward Fibre forward extruder building building building movement movement movement housings Flow Flow Flow Modified Modified Modified inhibitors- inhibitors- inhibitors- Transport- Transport- Transport- Dam effect + Dam effect + Dam effect + Fibre dwell Fibre dwell Fibre dwell fibre opening + fibre opening + fibre opening + time time time fibre to fibre fibre to fibre fibre to fibre prolongation prolongation prolongation modification modification modification Degassing 0-1 (Litres per 1-10 minute) 10-50 50-100 Zone dwell 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 time- 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 (Minutes) 2-5 2-5 2-5 2-5 2-5 2-5 2-5 2-5 Relative to 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 screw RPM 10-30 10-30 10-30 10-30 10-30 10-30