Patent ID: 8187425
Filing Date: 2012-05-29
Classification: B30B,D21C,D21D,D21F

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for washing and dewatering pulp comprising first and second rotatable press rolls including first and second outer radii and first and second outer diameters, respectively, each of said first and second rotatable press rolls having a permeable outer surface, and a casing comprising a vat in which said first and second rotatable press rolls are installed, thereby providing a gap between said vat and said permeable outer surfaces of said first and second rotatable press rolls, said first and second rotatable press rolls being juxtaposed with each other defining a press nip therebetween, whereby said pulp is pressed in said press nip, feed means for feeding said pulp into said gap in the direction of rotation of said first and second rotatable press rolls towards said press nip, said vat partially enclosing said permeable outer surfaces of each of said first and second rotatable press rolls and comprising a first side vat segment arranged to enclose from 170° to 180° of said permeable outer surface of said first rotatable press roll and a second side vat segment arranged to enclose from 170° to 180° of said permeable outer surface of said second rotatable press roll, said casing further comprising a first side casing member provided with said first side vat segment and a second side casing member provided with said second side vat segment, said first side casing member being pivotable about a first axis of rotation between a closed position and an open position for providing access to said first rotatable press roll in said open position, and said second side casing member being pivotable about a second axis of rotation between a closed position and an open position for providing access to said second rotatable press roll in said open position, said first axis of rotation and said second axis of rotation being positioned below said first and second rotatable press rolls, respectively, the distance between said first axis of rotation and said second axis of rotation being less than the sum of said outer diameter of said first rotatable press roll and said outer diameter of said second rotatable press roll.