Pulp cleaner system with cleaner dilution device and method of cleaning pulp with the system

Abstract

A cleaner system for removing solid debris and contaminants from a feed slurry includes a cleaner operable to separate the feed slurry into an accepted slurry and a reject slurry, the reject slurry including the solid debris and contaminants. The cleaner system further includes a dilution device fluidly coupled to a reject outlet of the cleaner. The dilution device includes a dilution water hydrocyclone having a dilution water inlet, a cyclone section, an underflow outlet at a downstream end of the cyclone section, and a reject slurry inlet in a top portion of the dilution water hydrocyclone. The dilution water hydrocyclone further includes a flow guide disposed between the dilution water inlet and the reject slurry inlet and operable to direct dilution water to flow from the dilution water inlet at least in an axial direction toward the cyclone section.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 939,253, filed November 22, 2019, entitled “Slurry Cleaner Systems with Cleaner Dilution Devices and Methods of Cleaning Slurries Therewith,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This specification generally relates to a cleaning system for removing solid debris and contaminants from slurry, particularly a hydrocyclone cleaning system with a dilution device and a method for cleaning slurry using the cleaning system. Background Technology

[0004] Many industries involve the preparation and processing of pulp. For example, in the paper industry, the process of making paper requires the production of pulp, a slurry containing a solid suspension of fibers, such as cellulose fibers or other fibers in water. Depending on the source of the fibers, pulp can include solid contaminants of varying concentrations and sizes, such as wood chips, fiber bundles, metal flakes, hardened binders, sand, or other contaminants. For example, the increasing use of recycled paper as a fiber source may increase the presence of hardened binders, metal flakes, and wood chips in the pulp. Pulps from other industries may contain other types of solid debris and / or contaminants. These solid contaminants can degrade pulp quality and / or cause disruptions to downstream processes.

[0005] Before further processing of the pulp, such as before introducing it into the papermaking process, the pulp is typically "cleaned" to remove solid debris and / or contaminants. This cleaning can be accomplished by introducing the pulp into a cleaning system that includes at least one hydrocyclone cleaner. The swirling (vortex) flow generated by the hydrocyclone causes denser solid contaminants and debris to flow outwards towards the outer wall of the hydrocyclone by centrifugal force, while the less dense clean pulp migrates towards the center. The cleaned pulp exits from the receiving pulp outlet of the hydrocyclone, while denser solid debris and contaminants travel along the outer wall towards the waste outlet. Therefore, the less dense pulp exiting the hydrocyclone cleaner from the overflow outlet is essentially free of solid debris and contaminants. The solid debris and contaminants are discharged from the hydrocyclone cleaner as part of the waste pulp. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Hydrocyclone cleaners are prone to plugging at the underflow outlet of the hydrocyclone where the high centrifugal forces in the hydrocyclone result in a high consistency of the slurry and a high concentration of solid debris and contaminants in the reject slurry. Dilution water can be added to the reject slurry near the underflow outlet of the hydrocyclone. However, the turbulent mixing caused by the introduction of the dilution water near the underflow outlet can cause at least a portion of the solid debris and / or contaminants to backflow upward into the hydrocyclone cleaner and possibly into the lower density slurry stream. This can reduce the separation efficiency of the hydrocyclone cleaner and can cause the solid debris and / or contaminants to breakthrough to downstream processes.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a continuing need for cleaner systems that remove solid debris and / or contaminants from a slurry. In particular, there is a continuing need for cleaner systems having dilution devices that reduce plugging of the reject outlet of the hydrocyclone cleaner while reducing or preventing the reintroduction of a portion of the solid debris and / or contaminants back into the cleaner. The cleaner systems of the present disclosure include a cleaner and a dilution device coupled to a reject outlet of the cleaner. The dilution device can include a dilution water hydrocyclone having a flow guide disposed between a reject slurry inlet and a dilution water inlet. The flow guide can direct the dilution water to establish a cyclone pattern prior to contact with the reject slurry. The flow guide can also restrict the flow of dilution water from the dilution water inlet directly to the reject slurry inlet and can space the contact between the dilution water and the reject slurry apart from the reject slurry inlet, thereby reducing or preventing the reintroduction of solid debris and / or contaminants back into the cleaner upstream.

[0008] According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a cleaner system for removing solid debris and contaminants from a feed slurry can include a cleaner operable to separate the feed slurry into an accept slurry and a reject slurry. The reject slurry can include at least a portion of the solid debris and contaminants from the feed slurry. The cleaner system can also include a dilution device disposed downstream of the cleaner and fluidly coupled to a reject outlet of the cleaner. The dilution device can include a dilution water hydrocyclone. The dilution water hydrocyclone can include a dilution water inlet and a cyclone section downstream of the dilution water inlet. The cyclone section can have an upstream end and a downstream end. The dilution water hydrocyclone can also include an underflow outlet, a reject slurry inlet, and a flow guide, the underflow outlet disposed at the downstream end of the cyclone section, the reject slurry inlet disposed in a top portion of the dilution water hydrocyclone and coupled to the reject outlet of the cleaner, the flow guide disposed between the dilution water inlet and the reject slurry inlet. The flow guide can be operable to direct a flow of dilution water from the dilution water inlet at least in an axial direction toward the cyclone section.

[0009] According to one or more additional aspects, a method of removing solid debris and contaminants from a feed slurry can include introducing the feed slurry to a cleaner, which can be operable to generate a cyclonic flow that separates the feed slurry into a reject slurry and an accepted slurry. The reject slurry can include at least a portion of the solid debris and contaminants. The method can also include passing the reject slurry to a dilution water hydrocyclone fluidly coupled to a reject outlet of the cleaner. The dilution water hydrocyclone can include a cyclonic section, a dilution water inlet upstream of an upstream end of the cyclonic section, a reject slurry inlet upstream of the upstream end of the cyclonic section, an underflow outlet downstream of a downstream end of the cyclonic section, and a flow guide disposed between the reject slurry inlet and the dilution water inlet. The method can also include introducing dilution water to the dilution water hydrocyclone through the dilution water inlet. Introducing the dilution water can cause the dilution water to establish a cyclonic flow in an annular flow area defined between the flow guide and an inner surface of the dilution water hydrocyclone. The method can also include contacting the dilution water with the reject slurry at an outlet end of the flow guide. Contacting the dilution water with the reject slurry can cause at least a portion of the dilution water to mix with the reject slurry to reduce or prevent clogging of the cleaner, the dilution device, or both.

[0010] It should be appreciated that the foregoing Summary and the following are both illustrative only of various embodiments and are intended to provide a basic understanding of the nature and features of the claimed subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the various embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate the various embodiments described herein and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles and operations of the claimed subject matter.

[0012] Figure 1 schematically depicts a front cross-sectional view of a cleaner system in accordance with one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

[0013] Figure 2 schematically depicts a front cross-sectional view of a dilution device of a cleaner system in accordance with one or more embodiments shown and described herein; Figure 1

[0014] Figure 3 schematically depicts a top cross-sectional view of a dilution device taken along reference line 3-3 in accordance with one or more embodiments shown and described herein; Figure 2

[0015] Figure 4 schematically depicts an operation of one embodiment of a dilution device in accordance with one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

[0016] ​​Figure 5 schematically depicts operation of another embodiment of a dilution device according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

[0017] Figure 6 schematically depicts a cleaner system according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein Figure 1 efficiency of a cleaner system to remove sand from slurry (y-axis) as a function of relative pressure (x-axis); and

[0018] Figure 7 schematically depicts a cleaner system including a plurality of cleaners and a plurality of dilution devices according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of a cleaner system according to the present disclosure. Wherever possible, the same or like reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and specific implementation to refer to the same or like parts. Reference will be made to Figure 1 schematically depicts an embodiment of a cleaner system 100 for removing solid debris and contaminants from a feed slurry 102. The cleaner system 100 includes a cleaner 110 operable to separate the feed slurry 102 into an accepted slurry 122 and a reject slurry 124 including at least a portion of the solid debris and contaminants from the feed slurry 102. The cleaner system 100 also includes a dilution device 130 disposed downstream of the cleaner 110 and fluidly coupled to the reject outlet 118 of the cleaner 110. The dilution device 130 can include a dilution water hydrocyclone 132, which can include a dilution water inlet 138 and a cyclone section 140 tangential to the dilution water hydrocyclone 132, the cyclone section 140 having an upstream end proximate the dilution water inlet 138 and a downstream end downstream of the upstream end. The dilution water hydrocyclone 132 can also include an underflow outlet 142 disposed at the downstream end of the cyclone section 140, a reject slurry inlet 144 disposed in a top portion 149 of the dilution water hydrocyclone 132 and coupled to the reject outlet 118 of the cleaner 110, and a flow guide 150 disposed between the dilution water inlet 138 and the reject slurry inlet 144. The flow guide 150 is operable to direct dilution water 104 from the dilution water inlet 138 to flow downstream at least in an axial direction toward the cyclone section 140.

[0020] Unless otherwise stated, no method described herein is intended to be construed as requiring its steps to be performed in a particular order, nor is it intended to require a particular orientation of any device. Therefore, where the claims of a method do not explicitly describe the order in which the steps of the method are to be followed, or where the claims of any device do not explicitly describe the order or orientation of individual components, or where the claims or specification do not otherwise specifically state that these steps will be limited to a particular order, or where a particular order or orientation of the components of the device is not described, no order or orientation is intended to be inferred in any way. This applies to any possible non-explicit basis of interpretation, including: logical matters concerning the arrangement of steps, operational flow, component order, or component orientation; the obvious meaning derived from grammatical organization or reference numerals; and the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.

[0021] The directional terms used in this article—such as up, down, right, left, front, back, top, bottom—are made only with reference to the accompanying drawings and the provided coordinate axes, and are not intended to imply absolute orientation.

[0022] As used herein, the singular forms of “a,” “one,” and “the” also include plural referents, unless the context explicitly specifies otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to a component “a” includes aspects having two or more such components, unless the context explicitly specifies otherwise.

[0023] As used herein, the terms “longitudinal” and “axial” may refer to an orientation or direction that is generally parallel to the central axis A of the dilution device 130, which may be parallel to the + / -Z direction of the coordinate axis in the figure.

[0024] As used herein, the term “radial” may refer to a direction along any radius extending outward from the central axis A of the dilution apparatus 130.

[0025] As used herein, the term "angle" generally refers to the direction in which the angle increases or decreases around the central axis A of the dilution apparatus 130.

[0026] As used herein, the terms “solid contaminant” or “solid debris” may refer to solid objects, such as wood chips, metal flakes, dried adhesives, sand or other contaminants, which are not intended and are not expected to be in the receiving slurry and can be distinguished from solid components such as fibers intended to be in a solid suspension.

[0027] As used herein, the term “consistency” may refer to the solids content of a slurry and may be defined as the weight ratio of the solids in the slurry to the total weight of the slurry.

[0028] As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the position of components or units of a cleaner system relative to the direction of material flow through the cleaner system. For example, a first component can be considered to be "upstream" of a second component if material flowing through the cleaner system encounters the first component before it encounters the second component. A first component can be considered to be "downstream" of a second component if material encounters the second component before it encounters the first component. For dilution device 130, "upstream" and "downstream" relate to the axial flow of reject slurry from reject slurry inlet 144 through dilution device 130 to underflow outlet 142.

[0029] Hydrocyclone cleaners have been used to remove solid debris and contaminants from slurries. In particular, in the pulp and paper industry, hydrocyclone cleaners have been used to remove solid debris and contaminants from fiber slurries. The cleaner systems disclosed herein will be described in the context of removing solid debris and / or contaminants from fiber slurries in a pulp and paper application; however, it should be understood that the cleaner systems of the present disclosure can be used in other industries, such as but not limited to food and beverage, textiles, oil and gas, chemical processing, construction, engineered wood, plastic and rubber processing, or other industries.

[0030] Hydrocyclone cleaners include a hydrocyclone and operate by creating a cyclonic flow within the cylindrical or conical portion of the hydrocyclone. The cyclonic flow can create centrifugal forces that cause denser components, such as solid debris or solid contaminants, to migrate radially outward toward the hydrocyclone wall, while less dense components are displaced radially inward toward the center of the hydrocyclone. Hydrocyclone cleaners can be either a throughflow hydrocyclone separator or a counterflow hydrocyclone separator. In a throughflow hydrocyclone separator, incoming slurry can be introduced tangentially into the hydrocyclone at one end of the hydrocyclone separator, with both a denser reject stream and an accepted slurry stream flowing out of the opposite end of the hydrocyclone, with the denser reject stream flowing close to the wall of the hydrocyclone and the accepted slurry stream flowing from the center. A tube, sometimes referred to as an overflow pipe, inserted into the outlet of the hydrocyclone can be used to isolate the accepted slurry stream from the denser reject stream. An example of a throughflow hydrocyclone cleaner can be found in U.S. Patent No. 5,769,243, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0031] Some hydrocyclone cleaners can include a reverse flow hydrocyclone in which a denser waste stream exits from a underflow outlet of the hydrocyclone and a less dense accept stream exits from an overflow outlet on an end of the hydrocyclone opposite the underflow outlet. In a reverse flow hydrocyclone, the denser components migrate toward the wall and flow generally downward along the wall of the hydrocyclone. The less dense components can be displaced toward the center of the hydrocyclone and can flow in reverse to flow generally upward toward the overflow outlet. Further examples of reverse flow hydrocyclone cleaners can be found in U.S. Patent No. 5,938,926, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Other types of slurry cleaners can also be used to separate solid debris and / or contaminants from the slurry.

[0032] Regardless of the type of cleaner, whether it is a through flow hydrocyclone cleaner, a reverse flow hydrocyclone cleaner, or other type of cleaner, the high density waste slurry produced by the cleaner will generally have a high solids concentration. In some cases, the fiber consistency and solids concentration in the waste stream can be great enough to cause a blockage of the waste outlet or a pipe or conduit downstream of the waste outlet. The blockage can limit the denser waste stream from exiting the cleaner. The flow restriction can cause solid debris and contaminants from the waste slurry to be reintroduced into the accept slurry, which can carry these solid debris and / or contaminants into downstream processes. The debris and contaminants in the downstream processes can cause problems such as clogging nozzles or other problems. When a waste outlet blockage is discovered, the hydrocyclone cleaner must be taken offline and the waste outlet and downstream conduits and pipes must be cleaned before the cleaner can be returned to service. This can result in lost production rates for the cleaner system.

[0033] The blockage can be reduced or prevented by adding dilution water to the waste slurry. The dilution water can be added to the waste slurry by one of two methods. In a first method, dilution water can be fed axially and upwardly into the waste outlet of the cleaner via a dilution water pipe inserted into the waste slurry proximate to the waste outlet of the cleaner. The discharge end of the pipe is typically located somewhere in a region that begins immediately downstream of the waste outlet and ends immediately upstream of the waste outlet, with upstream and downstream being relative to the axial flow direction of the waste slurry. The diluted waste slurry can collect in a waste chamber through which the dilution pipe extends and typically exits in a radial or tangential manner.

[0034] In the second method, dilution water can be fed into a cylindrical / conical dilution chamber immediately downstream of the waste outlet of the cleaner hydrocyclone. In this method, the dilution water typically begins mixing with the reject slurry at the waste outlet. In both methods, the introduction of dilution water into the reject slurry creates a significant risk that the turbulence caused by the dilution mixing will disrupt the flow of some of the solid debris and contaminants and carry others of them back up into the accept slurry stream. The dilution water can contact the reject slurry before the dilution water is able to establish a cyclonic flow, increasing the non-circumferentiality and overall non-uniformity of the mixing process.

[0035] Accordingly, there is a need for a dilution device that is operable to introduce dilution water into the waste stream of a cleaner hydrocyclone without causing turbulence to carry solid debris and contaminants back into the cleaner and into the accept slurry. With reference to Figure 1 , a cleaner system 100 for removing solid debris and contaminants from a feed slurry 102 according to the present disclosure is depicted. The cleaner system 100 can include a cleaner 110 and a dilution device 130 coupled to a waste outlet 118 of the cleaner 110. The dilution device 130 can be a dilution water hydrocyclone 132 including a flow guide 150 that at least partially restricts flow between a dilution water inlet 138 and a reject slurry inlet 144. The flow guide 150 of the dilution device 130 can allow a cyclonic flow of the dilution water 104 to be established in the dilution device 130 prior to the dilution water 104 mixing with the reject slurry 124. In the mixing zone, the axial component of the cyclonic velocity of the dilution water 104 can be operable to carry the reject slurry 124 further down into the cyclonic section 140, which can reduce or prevent turbulence in the mixing zone from causing solid debris and / or contaminants to return up through the reject slurry inlet 144 into the cleaner 110.

[0036] With reference to Figure 1 , the cleaner system 100 can include a cleaner 110. The cleaner 110 can be a crossflow or counterflow hydrocyclone cleaner. In one or more embodiments, the cleaner 110 can be a counterflow hydrocyclone cleaner. The cleaner 110 can include a body 112, which can be an elongated hollow body. The body 112 can include a conical section 120 extending over a majority of a length L C of the body 112. In some embodiments, an axial length L CT of the conical section 120 can be greater than or equal to 50% of the length L C of the body 112, greater than or equal to 60% of L C , or even greater than or equal to 70% of L C of the body 112. In some embodiments, the conical section 120 can extend along the entire length L CExtension. In one or more embodiments, the body 112 can include an inlet chamber 119 upstream of the tapered section 120. The inlet chamber 119 can be the portion of the cleaner 110 into which the feed slurry 102 is initially introduced through the slurry inlet 114. The inlet chamber 119 can be a cylindrical inlet chamber or a frustoconical inlet chamber.

[0037] The tapered section 120 can be frustoconical, having a wider end and a narrower end, with the wider end having a larger diameter than the narrower end. The wider end can be disposed at an upstream end of the tapered section 120, and the narrower end can be disposed downstream of the wider end. The narrower end can be a downstream end of the tapered section 120. The wider end of the tapered section 120 can be coupled to and in fluid communication with the inlet chamber 119. The tapered section 120 can have a taper angle a and an axial length L CT Definition. The length-to-diameter ratio of the tapered section 120 can be sufficient to introduce annular acceleration in the flow of the feed slurry 102 as the slurry moves down the cleaner 110. The length-to-diameter ratio of the tapered section 120 can be greater than or equal to 20: 1, or greater than or equal to 23: 1. The taper angle a of the tapered section 120 can be less than 3°.

[0038] Referring again to Figure 1 The body 112 of the cleaner 110 can include a slurry inlet 114. The slurry inlet 114 can be coupled to the body 112 at the inlet chamber 119, or to the tapered section 120 proximate the wider end of the tapered section 120. The slurry inlet 114 can enter from a side of the body 112 and can be configured to introduce the feed slurry 102 into the cleaner 110 in a manner that creates a cyclonic flow in the cleaner 110. In embodiments, the slurry inlet 114 can be a tangential slurry inlet. In other words, the slurry inlet 114 can be tangential to an inner surface of the body 112. In one or more embodiments, the slurry inlet 114 can be coupled to the body 112 such that the slurry inlet 114 is generally parallel to a plane that is tangential to the inner surface of the body 112. The term tangential is intended to include slight variations from the tangent, such as along a plane that is at an angle of less than 10 degrees or less than 5 degrees from the tangent, or a plane that is parallel to the tangent but radially offset from the tangent by less than 10% of the diameter of the slurry inlet 114. In embodiments, the slurry inlet 114 can be oriented along a line that forms a non-zero angle with a plane that is tangential to the inner surface of the body 112, such as an angle that is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees.

[0039] The cleaner 110 can include an overflow outlet 116 located in a top portion 117 of the cleaner 110 and a reject outlet 118 located at a narrower end of the tapered section 120. The overflow outlet 116 can include an end opening conduit or pipe that extends at least partially into the cleaner 110. The end opening conduit can reduce or prevent the feed slurry 102 introduced into the cleaner 110 from flowing directly into the overflow outlet 116 without being subjected to the cyclonic flow within the cleaner 110. The reject outlet 118 of the cleaner 110 can be positioned at the narrower end of the tapered section 120. In one or more embodiments, a cross-sectional area of the reject outlet 118 can be equal to or greater than a cross-sectional area of the overflow outlet 116.

[0040] Referring to Figure 1 , the cleaner 110 can operate to separate the feed slurry 102 into an accepted slurry 122 and a rejected slurry 124. The feed slurry 102 can be introduced into the cleaner 110 through the slurry inlet 114. An orientation of the slurry inlet 114 relative to the body 112 of the cleaner 110 can cause the feed slurry 102 to flow along an inner surface of the body 112 to create a cyclonic flow pattern. In embodiments, the slurry inlet 114 can be tangential to the body 112 of the cleaner 110, which can cause the feed slurry 102 to be introduced tangentially into the cleaner 110. At the tapered section 120, a cross-sectional area of the cleaner 110 decreases, which can angularly accelerate the feed slurry 102 in the cyclonic flow and create a greater centrifugal force within the feed slurry 102. The increased centrifugal force resulting from the angular acceleration of the feed slurry 102 in the tapered section 120 can cause solid debris and contaminants of the feed slurry 102 to travel radially outward toward the inner surface of the body 112 and can cause an acceptable portion of the feed slurry 102, such as but not limited to water and fibers, to travel radially inward toward the central axis A of the cleaner 110. The acceptable portion of the feed slurry 102 can include water, fibers, diluent, and other constituents having a density less than the solid debris and contaminants.

[0041] The solid debris and contaminants can travel downstream (i.e., in a -Z direction of the coordinate axis in the Figure 1 , along the inner surface of the body 112 in a primary vortex flow toward the reject outlet 118. The accepted slurry 122 can form a secondary vortex flow at the center of the cleaner 110. The secondary vortex flow can create a flow of the accepted slurry 122 in a direction opposite to the primary vortex flow (i.e., in a +Z direction of the coordinate axis in the Figure 1 , toward the overflow outlet 116 of the cleaner 110. The rejected slurry 124, which can include the solid debris and / or contaminants, can exit the cleaner 110 from the reject outlet 118. The accepted slurry 122 can exit the cleaner 110 from the overflow outlet 116.

[0042] Referring again to Figure 1As previously described, the cleaner system 100 may further include a dilution device 130, which may be fluidly connected to the waste outlet 118 of the cleaner 110. The dilution device 130 may include a dilution water hydrocyclone 132, which includes a body 134 defining an internal volume 136. The dilution water hydrocyclone 132 may also include a dilution water inlet 138, an inlet section 139, a vortex section 140, an underflow outlet 142, a waste slurry inlet 144, and a guide 150. Each of these features of the dilution device 130 will be discussed further herein. Figure 1 As shown, the dilution device 130 can be connected to the cleaner 110 such that the waste slurry inlet 144 of the dilution device 130 is fluidly connected to the waste outlet 118 of the cleaner 110.

[0043] refer to Figure 2 The body 134 may have an inner surface 135 that defines an internal volume 136 of the dilution water hydrocyclone 132. The body 134 may be formed of a material resistant to abrasion caused by solid debris or contaminants passing through the dilution device 130. Suitable materials for the body 134 may include, but are not limited to, ceramic materials, metals or metal alloys, polymers / plastics, or other materials. In one or more embodiments, the body 134 may be a ceramic body. In other embodiments, the body 134 may be a plastic or polymer body.

[0044] Refer again Figure 2 The inlet section 139 may be located in the top portion of the dilution device 130, near the dilution water inlet 138 and the waste slurry inlet 144. The inlet section 139 may be part of a dilution water hydrocyclone 132, in which the flow of the dilution water 104 changes from a generally linear flow at the dilution water inlet 138 to a swirling flow downstream of the dilution water inlet 138. The inlet section 139 may extend downwards from the waste slurry inlet 144 toward the swirling section 140 (i.e., along...). Figure 2 The inlet section 139 extends in the -Z direction of the coordinate axis. The inlet section 139 may be a cylindrical inlet section or a truncated conical inlet section. The inlet section 139 may be in fluid communication with the dilution water inlet 138. In one or more embodiments, the inlet section 139 may include an inlet channel 148, which may be an annular channel extending from the dilution water inlet 138 around the outer periphery of the inlet section 139 in an angled and slightly axial direction. The inlet channel 148 may be defined by a portion of the inner surface 135 of the body 134 that extends radially outward from the central axis A relative to the inner surface 135 of the remainder of the inlet section 139. The inlet channel 148 is operable to facilitate the generation of a swirling pattern of the dilution water 104 in the inlet section 139 of the dilution water hydrocyclone 132.

[0045] refer to Figure 1 andFigure 2 The dilution water inlet 138 can be in fluid communication with the inlet section 139 and can be disposed in the side of the body 134 at the inlet section 139. The dilution water inlet 138 can be configured to introduce the dilution water 104 into the dilution device 130 in a manner that causes the dilution water 104 to flow around the inner surface 135 of the body 134 to create a rotational flow in the dilution device 130. The dilution water inlet 138 can be tangential to the body 134 of the dilution water hydrocyclone 132, can be radial with respect to the body 134 of the dilution water hydrocyclone 132, or can be disposed at a horizontal angle greater than zero degrees to less than 90 degrees with respect to a radial line extending radially outward from the central axis A of the dilution water hydrocyclone 132. In embodiments, the dilution water inlet 138 can be oriented tangential to the inner surface 135 of the body 134 in the inlet section 139. The dilution water inlet 138 can be a tangential inlet. In embodiments, the dilution water inlet 138 can be coupled to or incorporated into the body 134 such that the dilution water inlet 138 is generally parallel to a plane that is tangential to the inner surface of the body 134 in the inlet section 139. The term tangential is intended to include slight variations from the tangent, such as along a plane that is at an angle of less than 10 degrees or less than 5 degrees from the tangent, or a plane that is parallel to the tangent but radially offset from the tangent by less than 10% of the diameter of the dilution water inlet 138. In embodiments, the dilution water inlet 138 can be oriented to introduce the dilution water 104 radially inward into the inlet section 139. In embodiments, the dilution water inlet 138 can be oriented at an angle between a radial orientation and a tangential orientation. The dilution water inlet 138 can be fluidly coupled to a source of dilution water 104 (not shown). The dilution water inlet 138 can be generally perpendicular to the vertical direction (i.e., the + / - Z axis of the coordinate axes in Figure 2 Figure 2 In embodiments, the dilution water inlet 138 can be oriented to introduce the dilution water 104 radially inward into the inlet section 139. In embodiments, the dilution water inlet 138 can be oriented at an angle between a radial orientation and a tangential orientation. The dilution water inlet 138 can be fluidly coupled to a source of dilution water 104 (not shown). The dilution water inlet 138 can be generally perpendicular to the vertical direction (i.e., the + / - Z axis of the coordinate axes in Figure 2 In embodiments, the dilution water inlet 138 can be oriented to introduce the dilution water 104 radially inward into the inlet section 139. In embodiments, the dilution water inlet 138 can be oriented at an angle between a radial orientation and a tangential orientation. The dilution water inlet 138 can be fluidly coupled to a source of dilution water 104 (not shown). The dilution water inlet 138 can be generally perpendicular to the vertical direction (i.e., the + / - Z axis of the coordinate axes in

[0046] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 ​The waste slurry inlet 144 can be axially oriented and can be centered on the central axis A of the dilution device 130 and / or the cleaner 110. As previously mentioned, the waste slurry inlet 144 can be fluidly coupled to the waste outlet 118 of the cleaner 110. The waste slurry inlet 144 can be large enough to allow the waste slurry 124 to flow down the side wall of the cleaner 110 into the dilution device 130, while also allowing the air core and / or the counterflow of the accepted slurry 122 to flow back up (i.e., along the +Z direction) into the cleaner 110 in the center of the waste slurry inlet 144. Figure 2 The waste slurry inlet 144 can be axially oriented and can be centered on the central axis A of the dilution device 130 and / or the cleaner 110. As previously mentioned, the waste slurry inlet 144 can be fluidly coupled to the waste outlet 118 of the cleaner 110. The waste slurry inlet 144 can be large enough to allow the waste slurry 124 to flow down the side wall of the cleaner 110 into the dilution device 130, while also allowing the air core and / or the counterflow of the accepted slurry 122 to flow back up (i.e., along the +Z direction) into the cleaner 110 in the center of the waste slurry inlet 144.

[0047] Again referring to Figure 2 , the cyclone section 140 can extend in a downward direction (i.e., along the -Z direction of the coordinate axis of Figure 2 ) from the inlet section 139 toward the underflow outlet 142. The cyclone section 140 can be cylindrical or conical in shape and can have an upstream end and a downstream end. As shown in Figure 2 , in embodiments, the cyclone section 140 can be conical in shape, such as having a frustoconical shape, where the inner dimension (e.g., diameter) of the upstream end is greater than the inner dimension (e.g., diameter) of the downstream end. In other embodiments, the cyclone section 140 can be cylindrical in shape, with both the upstream and downstream ends having similar or equal inner dimensions. The upstream end of the cyclone section 140 can be oriented proximate to the inlet section 139, and the downstream end can terminate at the underflow outlet 142. The dilution device 130 can have a total length L D , which is the distance from the waste slurry inlet 144 to the underflow outlet 142. The cyclone section 140 can have a length L DT , which is the distance between the upstream end and the downstream end of the cyclone section 140. The length L DT of the cyclone section 140 can be greater than or equal to 50% of the total length L D of the dilution device 130, such as greater than or equal to 60%, or even greater than or equal to 70% of the total length L D of the dilution device 130. When the cyclone section 140 is conical, the cyclone section 140 can have a cone angle β, which is determined as the angle between the inner surface 135 of the body 134 in the cyclone section 140 and a plane that is perpendicular to the central axis A. The cone angle β of the cyclone section 140 of the dilution device 130 can be greater than or equal to 0 (zero) degrees and less than or equal to 10 degrees, such as greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 7 degrees, or greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 5 degrees.

[0048] Referring to Figure 2 , the dilution device 130 includes an underflow outlet 142 disposed at a downstream end of the cyclone section 140. The underflow outlet 142 is operable to discharge the diluted spent slurry 170 from the cyclone section 140 of the dilution device 130. The underflow outlet 142 can be generally axial and centered about the central axis A of the dilution device 130. In some embodiments, the underflow outlet 142 can be fluidly coupled to a discharge conduit 143 that can extend radially outward (i.e., along the +X direction of the coordinate axes of FIG. 1) and downward (i.e., along the -Z direction) from the underflow outlet 142. The discharge conduit 143 is operable to discharge the diluted spent slurry 170 from the dilution device 130 to one or more downstream processes for further processing of the diluted spent slurry 170. Figure 2

[0049] Referring again to Figure 3 and Figure 2 As previously mentioned, the dilution device 130 can include a flow guide 150 disposed in the inlet section 139 of the dilution device 130. The flow guide 150 can be a hollow tube. The flow guide 150 can include a flow guide wall 154 that is a continuous wall forming the hollow tube. The flow guide 150 can have an inlet end 156 and an outlet end 158. The inlet end 156 can be coupled to the body 134 and proximate to the spent slurry inlet 144, and can be in fluid communication with the spent slurry inlet 144. The inlet end 156 can be an open end to enable the spent slurry 124 to pass into the flow guide 150. At the inlet end 156 of the flow guide 150, the flow guide wall 154 can surround the spent slurry inlet 144 to enable the spent slurry 124 passing through the spent slurry inlet 144 into the dilution device 130 to pass into the flow guide 150 (i.e., into the elongated hollow tube defined by the inner surface 162 of the flow guide wall 154). The outlet end 158 can be disposed at an end of the flow guide 150 opposite the inlet end 156, and can be disposed vertically below (i.e., along the -Z direction) and downstream of the inlet end 156. The outlet end 158 of the flow guide 150 can be an open end to enable the spent slurry 124 passing through the flow guide 150 to pass into the inlet section 139 and the cyclone section 140 of the dilution device 130. The inlet end 156 and the outlet end 158 can have any cross-sectional shape, such as circular, polygonal, oval, or irregular. In one or more embodiments, the inlet end 156 and the outlet end 158 can have a circular cross-sectional shape.

[0050] The flow guide wall 154 can be cylindrical or frustoconical. The flow guide wall 154 can extend into the inlet section 139 downward (i.e., along the -Z direction of the coordinate axes of FIG. 1) from the top portion 149 of the body 134. Referring to Figure 4 Figure 2 ​​The flow guide wall 154 can have an axial length L FD , which is the distance between the inlet end 156 and the outlet end 158 of the flow guide 150. The axial length L FD of the flow guide wall 154 can be sufficient for the dilution water 104 to establish a cyclonic flow pattern prior to mixing with the spent slurry 124 passing through the flow guide 150. The axial length L FD of the flow guide wall 154 can be greater than or equal to 50% of the axial length L DI of the inlet section 139, where the axial length L DI of the inlet section 139 is the distance between the top portion 149 of the inlet section 139 and the upstream end of the cyclonic section 140. The axial length L FD of the flow guide wall 154 can be greater than or equal to 60% of the axial length L DI , greater than or equal to 70% of L DI , greater than or equal to 80% of L DI , and even greater than or equal to 90% of L DI .

[0051] The axial surface 160 of the outlet end 158 of the flow guide 150 can generally face downward (i.e., in the -Z direction of the coordinate axis in Figure 2 , toward the cyclonic section 140. The axial surface of the outlet end 158 can be a generally planar flat surface. The axial surface 160 in the form of a flat surface at the outlet end 158 can provide increased turbulence at the outlet end 158 of the flow guide 150 as compared to a circular or conical axial surface 160. The increased turbulence at the outlet end 158 can aid in mixing the dilution water 104 and the spent slurry as they merge at the outlet end 158 of the flow guide 150.

[0052] Referring again to Figure 3 and Figure 2 , the inner surface 162 of the flow guide 150 can include one or more anti-rotation tabs 163 extending inwardly from the inner surface 162 of the flow guide 150. The anti-rotation tabs 163 can be rectangular with their longer dimension parallel to the central axis A such that the anti-rotation tabs extend axially (i.e., in the + / - Z direction of the coordinate axis in Figure 4 ) along the length L FD of the flow guide 150. The anti-rotation tabs can be angularly spaced apart. In one or more embodiments, the anti-rotation tabs 163 can be spaced apart every 90 degrees.

[0053] In one or more embodiments, the flow guide 150 can include a plurality of openings (not shown) in the flow guide wall 154 that can allow at least a portion of the dilution water 104 to pass through the openings into the hollow tube to mix with the spent slurry 124 upstream of the outlet end 158 of the flow guide 150. In embodiments, the openings can be positioned proximate the outlet end 158 of the flow guide 150.

[0054] Referring to Figure 2 , the inner surface 162 of the flow guide 150 can define a central flow region 164 through which the spent slurry 124 from the cleaner 110 passes from the spent slurry inlet 144 into the dilution water hydrocyclone 132. The outer surface of the flow guide wall 154 and the inner surface 135 of the body 134 of the dilution water hydrocyclone 132 can define an annular flow region 166 therebetween. Figure 1 The annular flow region 166 can be in fluid communication with the dilution water inlet 138. The annular flow region 166 can include the inlet passage 148, when present. The annular flow region 166 can extend from the inlet end 156 to the outlet end 158 of the flow guide 150. At the outlet end of the flow guide 150, the annular flow region 166 can be in fluid communication with the cyclone section 140 of the dilution water hydrocyclone 132.

[0055] The flow guide 150 can be operable to at least partially restrict or completely restrict the flow of dilution water 104 directly between the dilution water inlet 138 and the spent slurry inlet 144. At least partially restricting or completely restricting the flow of dilution water 104 from the dilution water inlet 138 into the spent slurry inlet 144 can enable the establishment of a cyclonic flow of dilution water 104 in the inlet section 139 of the dilution device 130, and then the dilution water 104 to contact the spent slurry 124 at the outlet end 158 of the flow guide 150. As will be discussed further herein, restricting the flow of dilution water 104 in the inlet section 139 can reduce or prevent the reintroduction of solid debris and / or contaminants into the cleaner 110, and / or reduce or prevent the re-entrainment of solid debris and contaminants from the spent slurry 124 back into the accepted slurry 122.

[0056] Referring now to Figure 4 and Figure 1 , in operation of the cleaner system 100, the cleaner 110 can be operable to separate the feed slurry 102 into the accepted slurry 122 Figure 4) and reject slurry 124. When the cleaner 110 is a hydrocyclone cleaner, the reject slurry 124 exiting the reject outlet 118 of the cleaner 110 can have a cyclonic pattern. The reject slurry 124 can pass from the reject outlet 118 of the cleaner 110 through the reject slurry inlet 144 and into the central flow region 164 of the flow guide 150. The reject slurry 124 can flow in a cyclonic pattern through the flow guide 150 to the outlet end 158 of the flow guide 150. The cyclonic flow of the reject slurry 124 can have an angular component and an axial component. Depending on the configuration of the cleaner 110, the angular component of the cyclonic flow of the reject slurry 124 can be clockwise (i.e., in the + theta direction of the cylindrical coordinate axis of Figure 4 ) or counterclockwise (i.e., in the - theta direction of the cylindrical coordinate axis of Figure 4 ). The axial component of the cyclonic flow of the reject slurry 124 in the flow guide 150 can be generally downward (i.e., in the - Z direction of the cylindrical coordinate axis of Figure 4 ). The cyclonic flow of the reject slurry 124 flowing through the central flow region 164 can be characterized by an axial velocity V R at the outlet end 158 of the flow guide 150.

[0057] The flow through the flow guide 150 can also include a core flow 168, where fluid can pass through the dilution device 130 and the cleaner 110 in a countercyclonic pattern upward (i.e., in the + Z direction of the cylindrical coordinate axis of Figure 4 ). The core flow 168 can be disposed in the center of the dilution device 130, such as along the central axis A of the dilution device 130. In one or more embodiments, the core flow 168 can include air or other gas that enters from the underflow outlet 142 and passes upward through the dilution device 130. Alternatively or additionally, the core flow 168 can include a less dense fluid, which can include less dense constituents from the dilution device 130, such as water and any other acceptable constituents of the fiber or slurry.

[0058] Referring again to Figure 2 , the dilution water 104 can be introduced to the dilution device 130 through the dilution water inlet 138. The flow rate of the dilution water 104 can be sufficient to dilute the reject slurry 124 to reduce the plugging of the dilution water hydrocyclone 132, particularly the cyclonic section 140 and / or the underflow outlet 142 of the dilution water hydrocyclone 132. The volumetric flow rate of the dilution water 104 can be sufficient to reduce the consistency of the reject slurry 124, which can have an initial consistency of up to 6% solids. The ratio of the volumetric flow rate of the dilution water 104 to the volumetric flow rate of the reject slurry 124 into the dilution water hydrocyclone 132 can be from 0.45: 1 to 1.55: 1, from 0.75: 1 to 1.25: 1, or about 1: 1. In one or more embodiments, the ratio of the volumetric flow rate of the dilution water 104 to the volumetric flow rate of the reject slurry 124 can be about 1: 1.

[0059] Dilution water 104 can be released from dilution water inlet 138 in a downward direction at a certain angle and along the axis (i.e., along...). Figure 4 The dilution water 104 flows through the annular flow region 166 in the -Z direction of the coordinate axis to the outlet end 158 of the guide member 150. When the inlet section 139 of the dilution device 130 includes an inlet channel 148, the dilution water 104 can be guided by the inlet channel 148 to form a swirling pattern in the annular flow region 166. The angular component of the swirling of the dilution water 104 through the annular flow region 166 can be clockwise or counterclockwise. The angular component of the flow direction of the dilution water 104 through the annular flow region 166 can be the same as or opposite to the angular direction of the swirling of the waste slurry 124 through the central flow region 164. In an embodiment, the angular direction of the angular component of the swirling of the dilution water 104 in the annular flow region 166 can be opposite to the angular direction of the swirling of the waste slurry 124 in the central flow region 164. The axial component of the swirling of the dilution water 104 in the annular flow region 166 can be axially downward (i.e., along the direction of the swirling of the waste slurry 124 in the central flow region 164). Figure 4 (The -Z direction of the cylindrical coordinate axis). The axial component of the swirling flow of dilution water 104 through the annular flow region 166 can be represented by the axial velocity V at the outlet end 158 of the guide 150. DW Characterization.

[0060] At the outlet end 158 of the guide member 150, the swirling flow of waste slurry 124 and the swirling flow of dilution water 104 can come into contact with each other. This contact between the flow of dilution water 104 and the flow of waste slurry 124 can cause mixing between them. This mixing can occur in a mixing zone 180 near the outlet end 158 of the guide member 150. The mixing of dilution water 104 and waste slurry 124 in the mixing zone 180 produces diluted waste slurry 170, which can continue to flow downwards (i.e., along the -Z direction) through the swirling section 140 of the dilution water hydrocyclone 132.

[0061] Due to the presence of the guide element 150, the mixing zone 180 can be separated from the waste slurry inlet 144 by a certain distance. This distance can be equal to the length L of the guide element 150. FD By separating the mixing zone 180 from the waste slurry inlet 144 by a length L FDThe guide element 150 allows for the establishment of a vortex in the dilution water 104 before it comes into contact with the waste slurry 124 in the mixing zone 180. The established vortex allows for a larger velocity component of the dilution water 104 in the -Z direction compared to introducing the dilution water 104 into the dilution device 130 without the guide element 150. This larger downward (-Z direction) axial velocity component of the dilution water reduces or prevents turbulence and turbulent mixing in the mixing zone 180 from causing some of the dilution water 104 to carry a portion of solid debris and / or contaminants back upwards through the waste slurry inlet 144 or into the core flow 168. Without being constrained by any particular theory, it is assumed that the downward axial velocity component (V) of the dilution water 104... D This could cause the dilution water 104 to be further transported to the waste slurry 124 in a downward -Z direction, which is downstream away from the waste slurry inlet 144. Therefore, the guide element 150 can improve the separation efficiency of the cleaner system 100.

[0062] If the length L FD If the size is too small, the mixing zone 180 may be too close to the waste slurry inlet 144, and the axial component of the velocity of the dilution water 104 in the downward direction (-Z direction) may be insufficient to carry the waste slurry 124 downstream to the swirl section 140. This could cause turbulent mixing, resulting in the dilution water 104 carrying at least a portion of solid debris and / or contaminants from the waste slurry 124 back into the waste slurry inlet 144. With the length L of the guide member 150... FD The increase in length L of the guide 150 reduces the likelihood of reintroducing solids from waste slurry 124 into the cleaner 110. Therefore, increasing the length L of the guide 150... FD The separation efficiency of the cleaner system 150 can be improved by reducing the reintroduction of solid debris and contaminants into the receiving slurry. However, if the length L FD If the length is too long, the dilution water 104 may not be effective in reducing or preventing the waste slurry 124 from clogging the guide 150, which may occur when the guide 150 is too long. In one or more embodiments, the length L FD The length L of the inlet section 139 of the dilution water hydrocyclone 132 can be smaller than that of the dilution water hydrocyclone 132. DI .

[0063] Refer again Figure 4 As previously mentioned, waste slurry 124 can be discharged at the outlet end 158 of the guide 150 at a V-shaped rate. R axial velocity (i.e., Figure 4 The axial component of the velocity in the -Z direction of the cylindrical coordinate axis enters the mixing zone 180. Dilute water 104 can enter at the outlet end 158 of the guide 150 at a V... D The axial velocity enters the mixing zone at 180° V. D / V R The ratio is sufficient to allow the dilution water 104 to continue pushing the waste slurry 124 downwards (i.e., along the direction of the waste slurry 124). Figure 5 The -Z direction of the coordinate axis in the diagram) is conveyed into the vortex section 140. Ratio V D / V R It can be greater than or equal to 0.25, or even greater than or equal to 0.4. The ratio V D / V R It can be less than or equal to 0.75, or even less than or equal to 0.6. The ratio V D / V R It can range from 0.25 to 0.75, or from 0.4 to 0.6, or approximately 0.5. In some embodiments, V D It can be V R Half of it. If the rate of dilution of water is 104 V... D If the velocity V of the dilution water 104 is too high, it may generate too much turbulence in the mixing zone 180, which could increase the likelihood of solid debris and / or contaminants being re-entrained into the receiving slurry 122. If the velocity V of the dilution water 104 is too high... D If the amount is too small, the dilution water 104 may not be able to provide sufficient mixing with the waste slurry 124 to prevent the dilution water hydrocyclone 132 from clogging.

[0064] refer to Figure 4 The diagram schematically depicts a dilution device 230 without the flow guide 150. Except for the absence of the flow guide 150, all other features of the dilution device 230 are identical to those of the previous device. Figure 5 The dilution device 130 in this example has the same characteristics. (See reference...) Figure 5 When the guide element 150 is not present in the inlet section 139 of the dilution device 230, the dilution water 104 entering the inlet section 139 from the dilution water inlet 138 immediately comes into contact with the waste slurry 124 entering the inlet section 139 through the waste slurry inlet 144. This creates a mixing zone 180 located immediately adjacent to the waste slurry inlet 144. Figure 5 As shown, without the guide 150, the mixing zone 180 is not separated from the waste slurry inlet 144. The dilution water 104 entering at the dilution water inlet 138 is approximately horizontal (i.e., perpendicular to the direction of flow). Figure 4The velocity vector in the + / -Z direction (axis A and the cylindrical coordinate axis). When the dilution water 104 initially enters the inlet section 139, the velocity component / vector in the + / -Z direction is little or nonexistent. Therefore, when the dilution water 104 comes into contact with the waste slurry 124 in the mixing zone 180, the dilution water 104 does not have sufficient velocity in the -Z direction to help further convey the waste slurry 124 downstream into the vortex section 140. If the dilution water 104 has no velocity component in the -Z direction, the turbulent mixing in the mixing zone 180 may cause at least a portion of the dilution water 104 and solid debris and / or contaminants to flow back through the waste slurry inlet 144 and into the cleaner 110, where solid debris and / or contaminants may enter the backflow of the receiving slurry 122. Figure 6 Compared to the dilution device in the middle, this will reduce the separation efficiency of the cleaner system 100.

[0065] Now for reference Figure 4 For use with Figure 5 The cleaning system 100 of the dilution device 130 (reference numeral 600) and the cleaning system 100 for having Figure 6 The cleaning system 100 of the dilution device 230 (reference numeral 602) is graphically depicted as a function of relative pressure (x-axis), showing the separation efficiency (y-axis) for removing sand particles from the fiber slurry. Figure 5 As shown, with Figure 4 Compared to the dilution device 230 excluding the flow guide 150, Figure 4 The dilution device 130 (reference numeral 600) with a flow guide 150 enables more efficient separation of sand particles from the fibrous slurry. The flow guide 150 further enhances efficiency by reducing the re-entrainment of solid debris and / or contaminants and by conveying solid debris and / or contaminants back to the cleaner 110. See again... Figure 7 Furthermore, the presence of the guide element 150 further enhances the hydrocyclone separation of lighter, acceptable fibers from the waste slurry 124. In the cyclone section 140, these lighter, acceptable fibers can migrate towards the central axis A of the dilution water hydrocyclone 132 and can merge with the core flow 168 back into the receiving slurry 122. This can increase the yield of the receiving slurry 122 from the cleaning system 100, further improving efficiency.

[0066] Now for reference Figure 1 In one or more embodiments, cleaner system 100 may be incorporated into cleaner system assembly 300, which includes multiple cleaner systems 100 operating in parallel. Cleaner system assembly 300 may include multiple cleaners 110 and multiple dilution devices 130, wherein each dilution device 130 is fluidly coupled to a waste outlet 118 of one of the cleaners 110.

[0067] refer toFigure 2 and ​ The method of removing solid debris and contaminants from the feed slurry 102 can include introducing the feed slurry 102 to the cleaner 110 operable to generate a rotational flow that separates the feed slurry 102 into a reject slurry 124 and an accept slurry 122. The reject slurry 124 can include at least a portion of the solid debris and contaminants from the feed slurry 102. The cleaner 110 can have any of the features of the cleaner 110 previously described herein. The method can further include passing the reject slurry 124 to the dilution water hydrocyclone 132 fluidly coupled to the reject outlet 118 of the cleaner 110. The dilution water hydrocyclone 132 can have any of the features of the dilution water hydrocyclone 132 previously discussed herein. For example, the dilution water hydrocyclone 132 can include a cyclone section 140, a dilution water inlet 138 disposed upstream of an upstream end of the cyclone section 140, a reject slurry inlet 144 disposed upstream of the upstream end of the cyclone section 140, an underflow outlet 142 at a downstream end of the cyclone section 140, and a flow guide 150 disposed between the reject slurry inlet 144 and the dilution water inlet 138. The method can further include introducing the dilution water 104 to the dilution water hydrocyclone 132 through the dilution water inlet 138. The dilution water inlet 138 can be positioned so as to introduce the dilution water 104 to a side of the dilution water hydrocyclone 132. The introduction of the dilution water causes the dilution water 104 to establish a rotational flow within an annular flow area 166 defined between the flow guide 150 and an inner surface 135 of the main body 134 of the dilution water hydrocyclone 132. The method can further include contacting the dilution water 104 with the reject slurry 124 at the outlet end 158 of the flow guide 150. The contacting of the dilution water 104 with the reject slurry 124 can cause at least a portion of the dilution water 104 to mix with the reject slurry 124 to reduce or prevent clogging of the cleaner 110, the dilution device 130, or both.

[0068] In embodiments, the method can further include recovering the accept slurry 122 from the overflow outlet 116 of the cleaner 110. Recovering the accept slurry 122 can include discharging the accept slurry 122 from the overflow outlet 116 of the cleaner 110. In embodiments, the method can further include recovering the diluted reject slurry 170 from the underflow outlet 142 of the dilution water hydrocyclone 132. Recovering the diluted reject slurry 170 can include discharging the diluted reject slurry 170 from the underflow outlet 142, and optionally, from a discharge conduit 143 fluidly coupled to the underflow outlet 142.

[0069] In embodiments, the method can include introducing the dilution water 104 into the dilution water hydrocyclone 132 in a direction of a swirl of the dilution water 104 that is opposite in angular direction to a swirl of the reject slurry 124. In embodiments, the method can include introducing the dilution water 104 substantially horizontally into the dilution water hydrocyclone 132. Introducing the dilution water 104 horizontally into the dilution water hydrocyclone 132 can include introducing the dilution water 104 tangentially, radially, or at a horizontal angle between 0 degrees and 90 degrees relative to a radial line extending radially outward from the central axis A. In embodiments, the method can include introducing the dilution water 104 tangentially into the dilution water hydrocyclone 132. In embodiments, the method can include introducing the dilution water 104 at an angle relative to a plane tangent to the body 134 of the dilution water hydrocyclone 132. The consistency of the reject slurry can be less than or equal to 6% solids. In embodiments, the ratio of the flow rate of the dilution water 104 introduced to the dilution water hydrocyclone 132 to the flow rate of the reject slurry 124 introduced to the dilution water hydrocyclone 132 can be from 0.45: 1 to 1.55: 1, from 0.75: 1 to 1.25: 1, or about 1: 1. In embodiments, the method can include combining the dilution water 104 having an axial velocity V D with the reject slurry 124 having an axial velocity V R at a ratio of V D divided by V R of 0.25 to 0.75.

[0070] In embodiments, the feed slurry 102 can include a fiber slurry. In embodiments, the feed slurry 102 can be a fiber slurry, and the method can include passing the accept slurry to a papermaking process. In embodiments, the cleaner 110 can be a reverse flow hydrocyclone cleaner. The method can further include restricting flow between the dilution water inlet 138 and the reject slurry inlet 144. Restricting flow can reduce the flow of solid debris and / or contaminants back into the cleaner 110.

[0071] A first aspect of the present disclosure can relate to a cleaner system for removing solid debris and contaminants from a feed slurry. The cleaner system can include a cleaner operable to separate the feed slurry into an accepted slurry and a reject slurry, the reject slurry including at least a portion of the solid debris and contaminants from the feed slurry. The cleaner system can also include a dilution device disposed downstream of the cleaner and fluidly coupled to a reject outlet of the cleaner. The dilution device can include a dilution water hydrocyclone including a dilution water inlet, a cyclone section downstream of the dilution water inlet and having an upstream end and a downstream end, an underflow outlet disposed at the downstream end of the cyclone section, a reject slurry inlet disposed in a top portion of the dilution water hydrocyclone and coupled to the reject outlet of the cleaner, and a flow guide disposed between the dilution water inlet and the reject slurry inlet. The flow guide can be operable to direct dilution water from the dilution water inlet to flow at least in an axial direction toward the cyclone section.

[0072] A second aspect of the present disclosure can include the first aspect, wherein the flow guide can be radially disposed between the dilution water inlet and the reject slurry inlet.

[0073] A third aspect of the present disclosure can include either of the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein the flow guide can at least partially restrict flow of dilution water from the dilution water inlet in the axial direction toward the reject slurry inlet.

[0074] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure can include any of the first aspect through the third aspect, wherein the flow guide can include a hollow tube having an inlet end coupled to the dilution water hydrocyclone proximate the reject slurry inlet and an outlet end, wherein the hollow tube can extend axially from the reject slurry inlet toward the cyclone section.

[0075] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure can include the fourth aspect, wherein the inlet end of the hollow tube can surround the reject slurry inlet.

[0076] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure can include either of the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, wherein the outlet end of the flow guide can be disposed within an inlet section of the dilution water hydrocyclone.

[0077] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure can include any of the fourth aspect through the sixth aspect, wherein the flow guide can be a cylindrical hollow tube.

[0078] An eighth aspect of the present disclosure can include any of the fourth aspect through the sixth aspect, wherein the flow guide can be a frustoconical hollow tube.

[0079] A ninth aspect of the present disclosure can include any of the fourth aspect through the eighth aspect, wherein an inner dimension of the outlet end of the flow guide can be greater than an inner dimension of the inlet end of the flow guide.

[0080] A tenth aspect of the disclosure can include any of the first through ninth aspects, wherein the outlet end of the flow guide can include a flat axial surface.

[0081] An eleventh aspect of the disclosure can include any of the first through tenth aspects, wherein the flow guide can include a plurality of openings extending from an outer surface of the flow guide through the flow guide to an inner surface of the flow guide.

[0082] A twelfth aspect of the disclosure can include any of the first through eleventh aspects, wherein the flow guide can include one or more anti-rotation tabs coupled to the inner surface of the hollow tube.

[0083] A thirteenth aspect of the disclosure can include any of the first through twelfth aspects, wherein the cyclone section can include a cylindrical section.

[0084] A fourteenth aspect of the disclosure can include any of the first through thirteenth aspects, wherein the cyclone section can be a tapered section having a frustoconical shape, wherein an inner dimension of the downstream end can be less than an inner dimension of the upstream end.

[0085] A fifteenth aspect of the disclosure can include any of the first through fourteenth aspects, wherein the dilution water hydrocyclone can include an inlet section defined between the waste slurry inlet and the cyclone section, and an axial length of the flow guide can be greater than or equal to 50% of an axial length of the inlet section.

[0086] A sixteenth aspect of the disclosure can include any of the first through fifteenth aspects, wherein the flow guide and the body of the dilution water hydrocyclone can define an annular flow region disposed between the flow guide and the body, and wherein the dilution water inlet can be in fluid communication with the annular flow region.

[0087] A seventeenth aspect of the disclosure can include any of the first through sixteenth aspects, wherein the dilution water hydrocyclone can include an inlet section axially disposed between the cyclone section and the waste inlet.

[0088] An eighteenth aspect of the disclosure can include any of the first through seventeenth aspects, wherein a centerline of the flow guide can coincide with a centerline of the dilution water hydrocyclone.

[0089] A nineteenth aspect of the disclosure can include any of the first through eighteenth aspects, wherein the dilution water inlet is disposed at a side of the dilution water hydrocyclone. The dilution water inlet can be tangential to the body of the dilution water hydrocyclone, can be radial relative to the body of the dilution water hydrocyclone, or can be disposed at a horizontal angle greater than zero degrees to less than 90 degrees relative to a radial line extending radially outward from a central axis of the dilution water hydrocyclone.

[0090] A twenty-first aspect of the present disclosure can include any one of the first through twentieth aspects, wherein the cleaner comprises a hydrocyclone cleaner including a slurry inlet, a conical section, an overflow outlet proximate a wide end of the conical section, and a reject outlet downstream of a narrow end of the conical section, wherein the hydrocyclone cleaner is operable to generate a cyclonic flow that separates the feed slurry into a reject slurry at the reject outlet and an accept slurry at the overflow outlet, the reject slurry including solid debris, contaminants, or both.

[0091] A twenty-first aspect of the present disclosure can include any one of the first through twentieth aspects, wherein the cleaner comprises a hydrocyclone cleaner including a slurry inlet, a conical section, an overflow outlet proximate a wide end of the conical section, and a reject outlet downstream of a narrow end of the conical section, wherein the hydrocyclone cleaner is operable to generate a cyclonic flow that separates the feed slurry into a reject slurry at the reject outlet and an accept slurry at the overflow outlet, the reject slurry including solid debris, contaminants, or both.

[0092] A twenty-second aspect of the present disclosure can relate to a cleaner system assembly that can include a plurality of cleaner systems according to any one of the first through twenty-first aspects, wherein the plurality of cleaner systems can operate in parallel.

[0093] A twenty-third aspect of the present disclosure can include the twenty-second aspect, wherein the plurality of cleaner systems can include a plurality of cleaners and a plurality of dilution devices, wherein each of the dilution devices is coupled to a reject outlet of one of the cleaners.

[0094] A twenty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure can relate to a method of removing solid debris and contaminants from a feed slurry. The method can include introducing the feed slurry into a cleaner operable to generate a cyclonic flow that separates the feed slurry into a reject slurry and an accept slurry, wherein the reject slurry can include at least a portion of the solid debris and the contaminants. The method can also include conveying the reject slurry to a dilution water hydrocyclone fluidly coupled to a reject outlet of the cleaner. The dilution water hydrocyclone can include a cyclonic section, a dilution water inlet upstream of an upstream end of the cyclonic section, a reject slurry inlet upstream of the upstream end of the cyclonic section, an underflow outlet downstream of a downstream end of the cyclonic section, and a flow guide disposed between the reject slurry inlet and the dilution water inlet. The method can also include introducing dilution water into the dilution water hydrocyclone through the dilution water inlet. Introducing the dilution water into the dilution water hydrocyclone can cause the dilution water to establish a cyclonic flow in an annular flow region defined between the flow guide and an inner surface of the dilution water hydrocyclone. The method can also include contacting the dilution water with the reject slurry at an outlet end of the flow guide. Contacting the dilution water with the reject slurry can cause at least a portion of the dilution water to mix with the reject slurry to reduce or prevent clogging of the cleaner, the dilution device, or both.

[0095] A twenty-fifth aspect of the present disclosure can include the twenty-fourth aspect, further comprising recovering the accept slurry from an overflow outlet of the cleaner.

[0096] A twenty-sixth aspect of the present disclosure can include any of the twenty-fourth or twenty-fifth aspects, further comprising recovering the diluted reject slurry from an underflow outlet of the dilution water hydrocyclone.

[0097] A twenty-seventh aspect of the present disclosure can include any of the twenty-fourth through twenty-sixth aspects, comprising introducing the dilution water into a side of the dilution water hydrocyclone. The dilution water can be introduced tangentially, radially, or at a horizontal angle greater than zero degrees to less than 90 degrees relative to a radial line extending radially outward from a central axis of the dilution water hydrocyclone.

[0098] A twenty-eighth aspect of the present disclosure can include any of the twenty-fourth through twenty-seventh aspects, comprising introducing the dilution water into the dilution water hydrocyclone in a direction that creates a rotational flow of the dilution water that is opposite in angular direction to a rotational flow of the reject slurry.

[0099] A twenty-ninth aspect of the present disclosure can include any of the twenty-fourth through twenty-eighth aspects, wherein a consistency of the reject slurry can be less than or equal to 6%.

[0100] A thirtieth aspect of the present disclosure can include any of the twenty-fourth through twenty-ninth aspects, wherein a ratio of a flow rate of the dilution water to a flow rate of the reject slurry introduced to the dilution water hydrocyclone can be from 0.45: 1 to 1.55: 1.

[0101] A thirty-first aspect of the present disclosure can include any of the twenty-fourth through thirtieth aspects, comprising combining the dilution water having an axial velocity V D with the reject slurry having an axial velocity V R , wherein a ratio of V D to V R is 0.25 to 0.75, wherein the axial velocity refers to a magnitude of a velocity vector in an axial direction.

[0102] A thirty-second aspect of the present disclosure can include any of the twenty-fourth through thirty-first aspects, wherein the feed slurry can comprise a fibrous slurry.

[0103] A thirty-third aspect of the present disclosure can include any of the twenty-fourth through thirty-second aspects, further comprising conveying the accepted slurry to a papermaking process.

[0104] A thirty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure can include any of the twenty-fourth through thirty-third aspects, wherein the cleaner can be a counterflow hydrocyclone cleaner.

[0105] The thirty-fifth aspect of the disclosure can include any of the twenty-fourth aspect through the thirty-fourth aspect, further comprising restricting the flow of dilution water between the dilution water inlet and the waste slurry inlet, wherein restricting the flow can reduce the flow of solid debris and contaminants back into the cleaner.

[0106] While various embodiments of a dilution device and a cleaner system including a dilution device have been described herein, it should be understood that each of these embodiments and techniques can be utilized separately or in combination with one or more embodiments and techniques. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the specification cover the modifications and variations of the various embodiments described herein came within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A cleaner system for removing solid debris and contaminants from a feed slurry, the cleaner system comprising: a cleaner operable to separate the feed slurry into an accepted slurry and a reject slurry, the reject slurry comprising at least a portion of the solid debris and contaminants from the feed slurry; and a dilution device disposed downstream of the cleaner and fluidly coupled to a reject outlet of the cleaner, the dilution device comprising a dilution water hydrocyclone, the dilution water hydrocyclone comprising: • a dilution water inlet; • a cyclone section downstream of the dilution water inlet and having an upstream end and a downstream end, wherein the cyclone section is tapered such that an inner dimension at the upstream end is greater than an inner dimension at the downstream end; • an underflow outlet disposed at the downstream end of the cyclone section; • a reject slurry inlet disposed in a top portion of the dilution water hydrocyclone and coupled to the reject outlet of the cleaner; and • a flow guide disposed between the dilution water inlet and the reject slurry inlet, the flow guide operable to direct dilution water to flow from the dilution water inlet at least in an axial direction toward the cyclone section, wherein the flow guide is a hollow tube comprising a continuous wall that forms a cylindrical shape of the hollow tube.

2. The cleaner system of claim 1, wherein, The flow guide is disposed radially between the dilution water inlet and the reject slurry inlet, the flow guide at least partially restricting flow of the dilution water from the dilution water inlet in the axial direction toward the reject slurry inlet.

3. The cleaner system of claim 1, wherein, The flow guide has an inlet end coupled to the dilution water hydrocyclone proximate the reject slurry inlet, wherein the inlet end of the flow guide encloses the reject slurry inlet, the flow guide extending axially from the reject slurry inlet toward the cyclone section.

4. The cleaner system of claim 3, wherein, The outlet end of the flow guide is disposed within an inlet section of the dilution water hydrocyclone.

5. The cleaner system of claim 3, wherein: the outlet end of the flow guide comprises a flat axial surface; the flow guide comprises a plurality of openings extending through the flow guide from an outer surface of the flow guide to an inner surface of the flow guide; or the flow guide comprises one or more anti-rotation tabs coupled to the inner surface of the hollow tube.

6. The cleaner system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The dilution water hydrocyclone comprises an inlet section defined between the reject slurry inlet and the cyclone section, and an axial length of the flow guide is greater than or equal to 50% of an axial length of the inlet section.

7. The cleaner system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The flow guide and a main body of the dilution water hydrocyclone define an annular flow region disposed between the flow guide and the main body, and wherein the dilution water inlet is in fluid communication with the annular flow region.

8. The cleaner system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The cleaner comprises a counterflow hydrocyclone cleaner.

9. The cleaner system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The cleaner includes a hydrocyclone cleaner including a slurry inlet, a conical section, an overflow outlet proximate a wide end of the conical section, and a reject outlet downstream of a narrow end of the conical section, wherein the hydrocyclone cleaner operates to generate a cyclone that separates a feed slurry into a reject slurry at the reject outlet and an accept slurry at the overflow outlet, the reject slurry including solid debris, contaminants, or both.

10. A cleaner system assembly including a plurality of cleaner systems as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of cleaner systems operate in parallel.

11. A method of removing solid debris and contaminants from a feed slurry, the method comprising: introducing the feed slurry to a cleaner that operates to generate a cyclone that separates the feed slurry into a reject slurry and an accept slurry, the reject slurry including at least a portion of the solid debris and contaminants, conveying the reject slurry to a dilution water hydrocyclone fluidly coupled to a reject outlet of the cleaner, the dilution water hydrocyclone including a cyclone section; a dilution water inlet upstream of an upstream end of the cyclone section; a reject slurry inlet upstream of an upstream end of the cyclone section; an underflow outlet downstream of a downstream end of the cyclone section; and a flow guide disposed between the reject slurry inlet and the dilution water inlet, wherein the cyclone section is conical such that an inner dimension at the upstream end is greater than an inner dimension at the downstream end, wherein the flow guide is a hollow tube including a continuous wall that forms a cylindrical hollow tube, introducing dilution water to the dilution water hydrocyclone through the dilution water inlet, wherein introducing the dilution water causes the dilution water to establish a cyclone in an annular flow area defined between the flow guide and an inner surface of the dilution water hydrocyclone; and contacting the dilution water with the reject slurry at an outlet end of the flow guide, wherein the contacting of the dilution water with the reject slurry causes at least a portion of the dilution water to mix with the reject slurry to reduce or prevent clogging of the cleaner, the dilution water hydrocyclone, or both. The method further includes recovering accept slurry from an overflow outlet of the cleaner and recovering diluted reject slurry from the underflow outlet of the dilution water hydrocyclone.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The method includes introducing the dilution water into a side of the dilution water hydrocyclone.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein, The method includes introducing the dilution water to the dilution water hydrocyclone in a direction that generates a cyclone of the dilution water, the cyclone having an angular direction opposite an angular direction of a cyclone of the reject slurry.

14. The method of any of claims 11 to 13, wherein, The method further includes recovering accept slurry from an overflow outlet of the cleaner and recovering diluted reject slurry from the underflow outlet of the dilution water hydrocyclone.

15. The method of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein, The method comprises combining the dilution water having an axial velocity (V D ) with the spent slurry having an axial velocity (V R ), wherein the ratio of the axial velocity (V D ) of the dilution water divided by the axial velocity (V R ) of the spent slurry is from 0.25 to 0.75, wherein axial velocity refers to the magnitude of the velocity vector in the axial direction.

Images