Screening

Module 5

RiauPulp
 Module 5

Machine: Screening

Type:

Manufacturer: Valmet Fibertech AB

851 94 Sundsvall
Sweden
Tel +46-60-165000
Fax +46-60-165500

Editor/Copyright © 2000 Valmet Fibertech AB

Reg.number 700 T 2040 967-02

Revision

700 T 2040 967-02

I
 Module 5 - Contents

Contents

1.0 Introduction ................................................. 1

1.1 Objectives ........................................................................ 1
1.2 Overview .......................................................................... 2
1.3 Purpose of the screen room ............................................ 18
1.4 How screening works..................................................... 19

2.0 Delta Screen® ............................................ 21

2.1 Purpose........................................................................... 21
2.2 Equipment components.................................................. 22
2.3 Process flows ................................................................. 25
2.4 Principles of operation ................................................... 26

3.0 Screen room .............................................. 35

3.1 Purpose........................................................................... 35
3.2 System components ....................................................... 36
3.3 Equipment components - agitator .................................. 38
3.4 Process flow - primary screens ...................................... 39
Process flow - secondary, tertiary and
quaternary screens .......................................................... 40
Process flow - reject treatment....................................... 41
3.5 Controls - primary screens ............................................. 42
Controls - secondary, tertiary and quaternary screens ... 44
Controls - reject treatment ............................................. 46
3.6 Principles of operation ................................................... 48

4.0 Control strategy......................................... 52

4.1 Pressure control.............................................................. 52
4.2 Differential pressure ...................................................... 53
4.3 Reject rate - flow control ............................................... 54
4.4 Consistency control........................................................ 55
4.5 Rotor dilution ................................................................. 56
4.6 Sealing water.................................................................. 57
4.7 Venting........................................................................... 58
4.8 Sand and gravel removal................................................ 59

700 T 2040 967-02 II

 Module 5

To 3rd brown stock

washing press

Screw press

From 2nd brown stock

washing press

Primary Secondary Tertiary Quaternary

screen screen screen screen

Screen feed tank Cleaners

Reject tank Reject filtrate

tank

323 B 2040 968-02

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Objectives

Upon successful completion of this foundation module, you will be

able to:

• Understand why screening is important.

• Understand the basic screening process.

• Identify the components of the screen room system; describe the
basic function of each component and understand how the different
components interact.

• Locate and describe major parts of the screen.

• Describe how the pulp flows through the screen and how each
component contributes to the screening process.

• Describe all process flows associated with the screening process.

• Understand which controls are necessary and how they function.

700 T 2040 967-02 1

 Module 5

To 3rd brown stock

washing press

Screw press

From 2nd brown stock

washing press

Primary Secondary Tertiary Quaternary

screen screen screen screen

Screen feed tank Cleaners

Reject tank Reject filtrate

tank

323 B 2040 968-02

1.2 Overview
Irrespective of the methods used for producing pulp, it still contains
impurities of different types, which have to be removed before using/
selling the pulp. The satisfactory purification of pulp is of major
economic importance as:

• Impure pulp can be degraded, resulting in a decreased price (poor

profitability). The mill will get a bad reputation.

• Too extensive purification increases the losses of accepted fiber

and costs a lot of money (energy and investment costs).

It is also important that the pulp is clean when it is to be bleached. For

environmental reasons, the use of chlorine and chlorine compounds is
decreasing. This makes it more difficult to bleach away shives, thus
requiring a more efficient cleaning. Today, the users accept a some-
what lower brightness, but they do not accept considerably higher
shives content in the final pulp.

700 T 2040 967-02 2

 Module 5

To 3rd brown stock

washing press

Screw press

From 2nd brown stock

washing press

Primary Secondary Tertiary Quaternary

screen screen screen screen

Screen feed tank Cleaners

Reject tank Reject filtrate

tank

323 B 2040 968-02

1.2 Overview ( cont´d)

In order to remove the remaining shives after cleaning, extra quantities
of bleaching chemicals are added in an attempt to bleach away the
“dirt” . This will result in the following:

- higher bleached pulp than necessary

- increase the chemical and enery costs
- decrease the pulp yield
- reduce the strength properties of the pulp
- increase the emission of environmentally harmful compounds.

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 Module 5

Overview (cont´d)
The pulp is cleaned in different cleaning devices. Bark and sand are
removed as reject. Other types of separated “impurities” can be refined
and returned to the pulp flow.

The inflow to the cleaning devices is called the inject. Typical for all
pulp cleaning devices is that the inject is divided into different
outflows, which are called the accept and the reject.
The undesired impurities are located in the reject. As the separation
capacity of the device normally does not reach 100 %, some impurities
will remain in the accept. Therefore, there are also larger or smaller
amounts of accepted fibers in the reject.

The cleaning device is therefore no absolute barrier to the impurities.

The aim is, of course, to get most of the impurities in the reject, which
should contain as minimal an amounts of accepted fibers as possible.

It is seldom sufficient to clean in only one stage. Very often a

combination of different devices are required to obtain the desired
result.

There are different methods for cleaning the pulp:

1 Sedimentation means that heavy particles are falling to the

bottom. With sedimentation the heaviest particles, such as stone
and scrap, can be separated. Sedimentation takes place mainly in
pulp chests, bins, filter vats and scrap traps of the screens.

If the pulp consistency is too high, comparatively heavy objects

can be processed. To obtain an efficient sedimentation the pulp
consistency should be below 2 %.

2 Screening has a screen plate which catches the impurities and

reject, and permits the accept to pass through the holes or slots of
the screen plate.

3 Hydrocyclone cleaning uses the centrifugal force to separate

small particles, such as sand, bark particles and shives.

4 Fiber fractioning divides the fibers according to size. A thin

fiber/water suspension is sprayed against a wire, which admits
short fibers. Screens especially designed for fractioning may also
be used.

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Overview (cont´d)

For production of bleached chemical pulp, the following equipment is

used:

• Deknotting and screening

Is located in connection with the washing of the pulp. First there
is a coarse screening of knots and uncooked chips. Then shives,
etc. are removed in fine screens. Additionally combined screens
can process both knots and shives.

The screen room comprises a system for processing and treating

the reject. The knots are returned for cooking or other treatment.
The shives are defibrated and returned to the pulp, removed from
the system.

• Rescreening
The rescreening is located after the bleach plant. The main
purpose is to remove sand and impurities (rust flakes and heavy
particles), which may have entered the pulp during bleaching.The
rescreening usually comprises both screens and hydrocyclones.
The screens prevent the hydrocyclones from plugging, caused by
large particles. The screening itself is achieved by the
hydrocyclones.

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A Inject B Inject

Accept

Reject
Accept

Reject

Two different basic types of screening systems

A Feed forward screening

B Cascade screening

323 B 2040 590-02

Overview (cont´d)

Feed forward The accept from the secondary screen is combined

screening with the accept from the primary screen.

Cascade The accept from a process stage in the screening

screening system is returned to the inject in a previous
stage.

Primary The first screen in a screening system.

screen

Secondary The second screen in a screening system which

screen is supplied with the reject from a primary screen.

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 Module 5

Overview (cont´d)

Screens have some devices, which can mechanically separate sus-

pended material according to size. In most cases, the screening
elements consist of perforated screen plates, but there are also other
devices.

The purpose of the screening is to clean the pulp by separating as much

as possible of the impurities. This is achieved by designing the
screening element so that the impurities cannot pass through, but
instead be removed as reject.

There is seldom a perfect separation. Screening has to be considered

as a probability process. Some particles “happen” to pass together with
the accept, and at the same time good fibers will stay with the reject.

The probability of reaching a certain screening result is determined by

the screen design, pulp type and the separated amount of reject. This
is called the reject rate. This rate specifies the relationship between the
weight of the fibers in the reject and in the inject. The reject rate is
normally 15-20 %.

As a result of a pressure drop over the screen plate, the fiber suspension
flows from the inject to the accept side. The perforation consists of
holes or slots, which will be plugged very rapidly if not properly
cleaned or maintained.

The cleaning can be performed in two ways:

– The screen plate vibrates

– The screen plate is subject to pressure pulses

In the vibration screens the screen plate is cleaned by the vibrations.

The vibrations transmit pressure pulses to the fiber suspension as it
passes through the holes. This keeps the screen clean and the reject is
removed.

The most common type of screens has stationary screen cylinders and
the screen plates are cleaned by rotors with cleaning elements, which
could be either wings or strips. These sweep over the screen surface at
some distance, and transmit pressure pulses, which clean the screen.
This usually occurs on the inject side. In some screen types, the screen
cylinder is rotating and the wings or strips are stationary.

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 Module 5

Rotor

Pressure pulse
Screen basket
Suction pulse

Screen with cleaning wings

CPDU B 2037 184-02A

Overview (cont´d)

The first rotating screens were open centrifugal screens. All modern
screen types are pressurized screens, working with hydraulic over-
pressure.
The figure above shows how a screen basket in a pressurized screen
with cleaning wings functions. When the pulp flows through the
screen plate, (=forming the accept), a layer of fiber and fiber bundles
is built up on the inject side of the plate and the holes or slots are
plugged.

The purpose of the cleaning wings is to dissolve the fiber layer and to
clean the slots. The figure above shows a wing running into a fiber
layer. The flow before the wing has almost ceased. When the wing
sweeps over the screen, it cleans the screen plate from the fiber layer
and plugging of the slots. After the wing, there is a zone with a large
flow through, which will be rapidly reduced as a new fiber layer is
formed. This new fiber layer will be treated by the next wing, etc.

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 Module 5

Rotor

Pressure pulse
Screen basket
Suction pulse

Screen with cleaning wings

CPDU B 2037 184-02A

Overview (cont´d)

There are “moving” zones of active screen surfaces and sealing fiber
mats. The size of the active screen surface is dependent on the pulp
consistency, fiber length, size of and the shape of the wings.

The wing cleans because it creates turbulence in the fiber layer, which
breaks up the fiber mat. The slots are cleaned as the wing creates a
pressure pulse through the slots and a “suction pulse” after it has
passed.

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 Module 5

Inject

Reject
Accept flow Accept and Dirt concentration
inject after
concentration screenbasket
Principle of the conditions in a screen

CPDU B 2037 187-02A

Overview (cont´d)

The pulp enters into one end of the screen basket. The fine fraction –
accept – passes through the screen plate and the coarse fraction – reject
– remains on the inject side of the plate. The reject moves along the
plate (axially) towards the reject outlet located at the other end of the
screen basket.

There is normally a thickening of the inject and reject towards the

reject outlet; as water passes through the screen plate more easily than
the fibers. Once the consistency of the pulp layer closest to the screen
plate exceeds a critical value, the rotor can no longer dissolve the layer.

The accept flow through decreases. The consistency of the accept also
decreases and the consistency of the inject and reject increases. To
avoid a high reject consistency the reject rate should be increased. In
order to prevent a decrease in capacity it may also be neccessary to add
liquid in the last part of the screen.

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 Module 5

Overview (cont´d)

In recent years, screens with cleaning devices have been designed to

act against the thickening to the inject of the reject towers the select
outlet. These screens increase the capacity of the screen, without
adding dilution liquid to the reject.

The ingoing pulp consistency to pressurized screens may range from

1.5 to 4.5 %.

From an economic point of view the pulp consistency is important,

because, as it determines the volume of the fiber suspension and liquid
flows in a screen room. This influences the operation economy,
because the flows affect the dimensioning of piping and machines.
Additionally the flow affects the energy requirement, as the larger the
flow, the more energy will be consumed.

If the pulp consistency is increased from e.g. 1.5 to 3%, the flows are
reduced by 50%. If the pressures are the same, the energy consumption
for pumping pulp and dilution liquids will also be reduced by
50%.

Traditionally, pulp has been screened through perforated screen

plates. As the demands on improved screening results have increased,
the use of slotted plates has become more common, as they can
separate other types of impurities. In comparison with holes, the slots
can separate short particles, which been easily pass through a hole.

Shive separation presents some differences. With perforated plates,

there is an increased risk of shives getting into the accept if the reject
quantity is decreased. In slotted screen plates, with small slot widths
(sometimes called barrier screens), there is almost a constant shive
separation, which is independent of the reject quantity. Here the
screen plate serves as a barrier to the shives.

The hole pattern in perforated screen plates and the design of the holes
is important for the cleaning of the plates. If the distance between the
holes is too small, a network of fibers can easily form on the screen
plate. Long fibers can cover two adjacent holes, and thereby form a
web, which cannot be dissolved by the cleaning wings. When this
occurs the capacity of the screen decreases rapidly and can stop
working entirely.

Note that the open surface of the holes/slots (the perforated area of the
plate) is usually 10-20 % of the total plate area.

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10° or 15°

C
Some hole types of screen plates

CPDU B 2037 189A

Overview (cont´d)

The figure above displays cross sections of different types of holes.

In most cases the holes are larger on the accept side. Tapered holes also
shown in the figure are most common. Without clearance, smaller
holes are easily plugged.

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Inlet area Accept area

Accept
3 to 8 mm
Slotted plate Inject

CPDU I 2033 326-02A

Overview (cont´d)

Slotted plates also have a clearance, i.e. the slot width increases in the
outlet direction.

700 T 2040 967-02 13

 Module 5

Different screen cylinder with holes

CPDU B 2036 267A

Overview (cont´d)

The screen hole diameters and slot widths are different for different
applications. In fine screening, the hole diameter may range from 0.8
to approx. 2 mm. In coarse screening of knots, the holes may be up to
10 mm in diameter. In slotted plates, the widths are usually range from
0.20 to 0.45 mm.

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 Module 5

Grooved screen plate, type NWP (AB Knutsilplåtar)

CPDU B 2037 199A

Overview (cont´d)

In pressurized screens the cleaning efficiency achieved by the wings

of the rotor is dependent on the energy transmitted from the wings to
the fiber layer on the surface of the screen. The cleaning efficiency is
increased if the screen plate is “grooved”. Grooved screen plates have
grooves on the inject side, which are perpendicular to the flow
direction along the screen plate.

The grooves improve the breaking of the fiber layer closest to the
screen surface. This occurs while the cleaning wings sweep over the
screen plate, which is a result of increased turbulence. The fiber can
then more easily pass through the holes, without being blocked by a
thickened layer of reject and fibers. The holes and the slots are located
on the down-flow side of the grooves. This makes it more difficult for
the impurities in the pulp to find the openings and travel with the
accept.

With the grooved screen plate the screen will have a higher capacity
than with a flat screen plate with the same open perforated area. This
can also be used to reduce the hole or slot area to obtain a cleaner pulp
at the same production. It is also possible to increase the pulp
consistency to save pump energy, etc.

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 Module 5

a) NIMEGA™ b) Conventional slotted basket

CPDU I 2025 916-02A

Overview (cont´d)

AB Knutsilplå tar (NIMA) and Valmet Fibertech AB have together

developed a new type of slotted screen basket called NIMEGA™ . The
difference between the NIMEGA™ basket and a conventional slotted
screen basket is shown in the above figure . The NIMEGA™ plate is
built-up with bars forming a single long slot, while the conventional
screen plate consists of intermittently drilled slots. The different
design of the screen plate offers a larger open area, a more stable slot
and the possibility to make plates with extremely small slot widths.
This results in higher capacity, increased purity and less sensitivity to
wear, i.e. the conventional disadvantages of the slot basket are
removed. The NIMEGA™ basket can also be used for single-
screening because of the more stable slots.

The NIMEGA™ basket is unique e.g. once combined with The

Valmet DeltaScreen™ , a high consistency screening 3-4 %, is pos-
sible. Slotted baskets do not offer this consistency earlier. Screening
at high pulp consistency is a must for optimal utilization of modern
washing equipment.

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Accept

Inject

Reject

CPDU B 2035 268-02A

Centricleaners
Application

Besides screens, centricleaners are used for cleaning fiber suspen-

sions. Centricleaner are usually used to remove bark particles from
bleached pulp, as well as sand in the screen room.

Function

A centricleaner consists of a cone (cyclone) of metal or plastic with

a tangential (inclined) inlet leading up to the widest part of the cone.
The fiber suspension enters the cone so that the flow forms a vortex
at high velocity, and an air column is formed in the center. The accept
outlet is located on the wide top surface of the cone and the reject outlet
on the narrow tip. Heavy and large particles go to the reject, while light
particles go to the accept.

For this function, a pressure drop over the centricleaner and a low
consistency of the suspension (ca. 0.6–0.8 %) are required. The
pressure drop should be kept as low as possible and the consistency as
high as possible in order to keep operating costs down, while still
achieve a reasonable cleaning degree.

700 T 2040 967-02 17

 Module 5

To 3rd brown stock

washing press

Screw press

From 2nd brown stock

washing press

Primary Secondary Tertiary Quaternary

screen screen screen screen

Screen feed tank Cleaners

Reject tank Reject filtrate

tank

323 B 2040 968-02

1.3 Purpose of the screen room

The purpose of the screen room is to remove debris such as shives,

sand, bark and plastics from the pulp. Shives are bundles of fiber, stuck
together, which are large enough to destroy the quality of the paper.
If the debris is not removed from the pulp, it will affect the quality of
the end-product and, in the case of sand, cause accelerated wear in the
equipment. For example, the shives will consume chemicals and
affect the final quality, if they are too large to be reduced in the bleach
plant. The sand will cause wear in the equipment, which will eventu-
ally lead to a reduction in capacity.
The screen room is located in the brown stock washing area.

700 T 2040 967-02 18

 Module 5

Rotor Foil

Screen Plate

323 B 2035 038-02A

1.4 How screening works

The pulp, which contains debris, is fed to a screen. In the screening

area there is a rotor surrounded by a screen basket. The pulp flows into
the screening area and exits either through the accepts line or the
rejects line.

When the pulp enters the screening area, the individual fibers tend to
flock together in groups, and are surrounded by liquor. The rotor turns
at a higher rate and the foils attached to the rotor fluidize the pulp;
Groups of fiber are broken up into individual fibers suspended in
liquor in order the pulp can flow through the basket.

The pulp travelling to the accept line, must pass through the screen
basket. The basket is conprised up of many small slots, which only
permit fibers to pass through. Any debris that is bigger than the
openings in the screen basket will continue to the bottom of the screen
and will flow out through the reject line.

700 T 2040 967-02 19

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Feed

Accept

Reject

323 B 2035 039-02A

How screening works (cont´d)

Some good fiber will always flow with the debris through the reject
line. To minimize the loss of good fiber, it is common to screen in
several stages; that is, the rejects from one stage flow to another screen
which separate the good fiber from the debris. It is common to have
three or four stages of screening. The rejects from the last stage consist
mostly of debris.

700 T 2040 967-02 20

 Module 5

To 3rd brown stock

washing press

Screw press

From 2nd brown stock

washing press

Primary Secondary Tertiary Quaternary

screen screen screen screen

Screen feed tank Cleaners

Reject tank Reject filtrate

tank

711 B 2040 996-02

2.0 Delta Screen®

2.1 Purpose

The Delta Screen® removes oversized material from the pulp. This
screen is the heart of the screening system.
Valmet's Delta Screen® D8, is used in the primary and secondary
screening positions.
Valmet's Delta Screen® D4, is used in the tertiary screening position.

Valmet's Delta Screen® MiniDelta, is used in the quaternary screening

positions.

700 T 2040 967-02 21

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4 3 2 1

323 B 2035 041-02

2.2 Equipment components

Component Purpose

1 Housing Encloses the rotor and basket. The housing

is a pressure vessel capable of withstanding
the (elevated) pressures of the screening
process.
2 Rotor Rotates to fluidize the pulp and pulls filtrate
back through the basket.

3 Screen basket Stops oversized material in the pulp from

passing through to the accepts. The screen
basket is a Nimega™ type.

4 Motor Turns the rotating assembly by means of

V-belts.

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323 B 2035 042-02

Equipment components (cont´d)

Component Purpose

5 Pulp inlet Receives the pulp.

6 Accept outlet Provides an exit for the pulp that has passed
through the screen basket.

7 Reject outlet Provides an exit for the reject material that

has not passed through the screen basket.

8 Vent Provides an outlet for air that may have

accumulated in the screen.

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9 16

10

12

13

11

14

15

323 B 2040 997

Equipment components (cont´d)

Component Purpose

9 Dilution inlet Receives the dilution filtrate.

10 Junk trap Provides an outlet for the heavy material

separated from the pulp by the baffle.

11 Frame Holds the screen housing, the rotor and the

drive assembly.

12 Motor shelf Supports the motor.

13 Adjusting screw Adjusts the tension of the v-belt.

14 Rotor assembly Supports the rotor and allows it to be turned

by the drive.

15 Sealing water Controls sealing water flow and pressure

unit and senses a low flow of sealing water.

16 Baffle Helps to separate heavy material from the

pulp to protect the rotor and basket from
damage.

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Vent

Feed 1

3 Accept outlet

Dilution inlet 5 4 Reject outlet

Junk outlet

323 B 2040 998-02

2.3 Process flows

1 Pulp enters the screen through the feed pipe.

2 Heavy material collects at the top of the screen, and is removed

via the junk trap.

3 Accept leaves the housing after passing through the screen

basket.

4 Reject leaves the screen from the bottom of the housing.

5 Dilution fills the screen with filtrate before a start-up; dilutes the
pulp inside the screen, and flushes the screen free of pulp when
necessary.

6 Air can be removed from the screen through the vent at the top of
the housing.

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Vent

Feed

Accept outlet

Dilution inlet Reject outlet

Junk outlet

323 B 2040 999-02

2.4 Principles of operation

2.4.1 Pulp flow

Pulp enters the screen tangentially through the feed pipe in the upper
part of the screen housing. The accepts exit through an opening in the
middle of the screen after passing through the screen basket, while and
the rejects exit through the bottom of the screen. At the top of the
screen, away from the feed pipe, is the junk trap where heavy debris
is collected. Opposite to the rejects pipe on the bottom is the connec-
tion for rotor dilution. A vent pipe is connected to the top of the screen
and is used to remove the air that may separate from the pulp and
collect underneath the top of the screen.

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Junk trap Housing

Fiber and shives

Feed

Foil

Basket

323 B 2035 047-02A

2.4.2 Junk trap

Pulp enters at the top tangentially to the screen. This provides a

centrifugal force that forces heavy material against the housing of the
screen. A baffle prevents the heavier material from entering the
screening area. The baffle serves as a barrier against gravel and metal,
while the lighter pulp flows over the baffle into the screening area.
These heavier objects continue to flow between the baffle and the
housing until they reach the junk trap, where they are collected. The
junk trap should be emptied on a frequent basis to prevent plugging,
and thereby causing the heavier material to back up in the screen. This
is more critical for the secondary through quaternary stages, where the
debris is more concentrated. Other than plugging the junk trap, if the
debris is allowed to circulate between the baffle and the housing, it will
cause wear on the housing.

The junk trap is equipped with two valves. The top valve is normally
open and the bottom valve is normally closed. To empty the junk trap,
first close the top valve and then open the bottom valve. When the junk
trap is empty, close the bottom valve before opening the top valve. If
both valves are open at the same time, hot pulp will spray out on the
floor and may cause burns.

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Fiber passes
through basket

Some filtrate is
pulled back

Rejects exit through the

bottom of the screen

323 B 2035 048-02A

2.4.3 Screening area

The pulp enters screening area and spirals down inside the basket.
Pump pressure forces the suspended fibers through the slots in the
screen basket to the accept side, provided that they are small enough.
The cleaning device, i.e. the rotor foils, clean the basket from unfluidized
fiber and debris. The foil initially creates a pulse, which needs to be
minimized in order to prevent unwanted reject material from being
forced through the slots. The rotor wing then creates a larger suction
pulse, which sweeps the fibers away from the inside of the basket. It
also pulls back some of the filtrate which passed though the basket
with the accepts. This reduces thickening in the screening area.
Rejects (e.g. shives, bark and sand), cannot pass through the slots, and
will exit through the bottom of the screen and proceed to the next
screening stage. Note that in the case of the final screening stage, the
reject will proceed to the rejects press.

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323 B 2035 049-02rA

2.4.4 Rotor
The rotor has several foils. The rotor fluidizes the pulp; that is, it
breaks up the flocks of fiber into individual fibers. It also creates
suction forces, which pull filtrate back into the screening area. Fibers
do not flow back into the screening area; This is because of the shape
of the basket and of the lack of a rotor on the outside, which breaks up
fiber flocks that form on the accept side of the screen basket.

The rotor cleans the basket surface from shives and other impurities
that were too large to be accepted. By pulling back filtrate into the
screening area, reject thickening is minimazed. If no filtrate were
pulled back, the pulp would become thicker the further it traveled
down the screen. The reason for this is that filtrate flows through the
slots of the basket easier than pulp. If too much filtrate is lost to the
accepts, the consistency of the pulp in the bottom of the screen would
become to high and would be impossible to screen. If the pulp stream
becomes too thick, it may also cause plugging in the piping.

The Delta rotor has an open design, i.e. the rotor foil is attached by
poles to the bearing housing. This allows pulp to pass behind the foil
which makes it easier to start up the screen, even if it is filled with high
consistency pulp. If the wings were attached with a solid unit along the
length of the bearing housing, the settled pulp would be too heavy for
the motor to move during a start-up.

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300 B 2035 375-02

2.4.5 Basket

The basket is made up of long vertical bars with slots between them.
This type of barrier screening allows only fibers narrower than the slot
width to pass through. The bars are positioned at an angle to protect
the slots from shives aligning and passing through the basket.

The angled bars contribute to turbulence that helps break up the fiber
network that forms after the rotor has passed. This keeps the screening
area open in order to proceed a decrease in capacity. The basket is very
strong and will not break easily; however sand will smooth out the
ridges very quickly. This can cause the turbulence to decrease which
leads to a decrease in capacity. It is therefore very important to remove
the sand from the process.

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Conventional pressure screen Delta Screen™

300 B 2035 411-02A

2.4.6 Reject thickening

Allthough the Delta screen with its unique rotor drastically reduces
reject thickening, some thickening will occur, this is because the
further down into the screen, the higher the concentration of shives.
Shives will tend to dewater more easily than fiber, as a pile of rocks
will retain water much less than clay. Reject thickening can be mini-
mized by operating correctly, i.e. by not feeding with a too high
consistency and by rejecting a sufficient amount of consistency. Rotor
dilution may be added to reduce the occurence of reject thickening.

700 T 2040 967-02 31

 Module 5

Feed

Accept

Dilution
Reject

323 B 2035 051-02A

2.4.7 Rotor dilution

Rotor dilution enters at 1/3 from the bottom of the screen. It comes in
at the bottom of the housing in a pipe opposite to the rejects pipe, and
is led inside the rotor, entering the screening area through holes in the
rotor housing. It serves to reduce reject thickening and allows the
screens to be fed at a higher consistency. It also serves as lubrication
between the bearing and the rotor, which prevents the fibers from
backing up into the slot between the bearing housing and the rotor.

It is important to have some rotor dilution at all times. If rotor dilution

is cut off during a pulp run and pulp backs up into the gap, it is not likely
that the effects will be seen immediately, since the pulp is still wet.
However, the pulp may widen the gap and if the screen is stopped with
pulp in the gap, it may dry out and make it difficult for the rotor to turn
again once the screen is restarted.

700 T 2040 967-02 32

 Module 5

Vent

Feed

Accept outlet

Dilution inlet Reject outlet

Junk outlet

323 B 2040 999-02

2.4.8 Venting
Air often gets into the system and is trapped by the pulp. Too much air
in the pulp will cause problems as the air prevents the pulp from
flowing through the equipment as it should. If there is a lot of air in the
pulp, it will separate and collect at the top of the screen, where it will
build up. To remove the air, it is important to vent the screen during
operation. To vent the screen, simply open the valve attached to the
pipe at the top of the screen. Next close the valve once the air has been
removed.

The vent should also be opened when the screen is initially filled with
filtrate during start-up. This will ensure there are no air-pockets, and
after shut-down to equalize the pressure in the screen.

700 T 2040 967-02 33

 Module 5

2.4.9 Sealing water

If pulp gets in to the internal machinery, the screen will stop working.
Seals are used to provide a barrier between the pulp and the internal
machinery in the screen. Sealing water is used to ensure the seal is
tight; it is therefore important to have sealing water present all the
times.

700 T 2040 967-02 34

 Module 5

To 3rd brown stock

washing press

Screw press

From 2nd brown stock

washing press

Primary Secondary Tertiary Quaternary

screen screen screen screen

Screen feed tank Cleaners

Reject tank Reject filtrate

tank

323 B 2040 968-02

3.0 Screen room

3.1 Purpose

The screen room is located in the brown stock washing department,

between the second and third brown stock washing press.

The purpose of the screen room is to remove debris such as shives,

sand, bark and plastics from the pulp.

700 T 2040 967-02 35

 Module 5

To 3rd brown stock

washing press

From 2nd brown stock

washing press

1
3 4 5 6

323 B 2041 046-02

3.2 System components

Component Purpose

1 Screen room Receives pulp from the 2nd brown stock

feed tank wash press.
422 T 010

2 Feed pump Delivers pulp from the screen room feed

422 P 031 tank to the primary screens.

3 Primary screens Receive and treat the pulp coming from the
422 E 018 - 21 screen room feed tank.

4 Secondary screen Receives and treats the reject coming from

422 E 026 the primary screens.

5 Tertiary screen Receives and treats the reject coming from

422 E 030 the secondary screen.

6 Quaternary screen Receives and treats the reject coming from

422 E 033 the tertiary screen.

700 T 2040 967-02 36

 Module 5

To 3rd brown stock

washing press

From 2nd brown stock

washing press

10

7 9

11 11

323 B 2041 047-02

System components (cont´d)

Component Purpose

7 Reject tank Receives reject from the quaternary screen

422 T 019 and supplies it to the reject screw press.

8 Reject screw press Dewaters the reject coming from the reject
422 E 036 tank.

9 Reject filtrate Receives the filtrate from the reject screw

tank press.
422 T 020

10 Reject filtrate Remove sand and other debris from the fil-
cleaners trate.
422 E 038/
422 E 056

11 Tank agitator Circulates and blends the pulp reject in the

422 A 008/009, tanks.
422 A 012/013

700 T 2040 967-02 37

 Module 5

1 3 2

711 B 2039 518

3.3 Equipment components - agitator

Component Purpose

1 Flow jet agitator Mixes the pulp/reject inside the tanks with
the incoming filtrate, to produce a uniform
consistency flow out of the tanks.

2 Motor Drives the agitator screw.

3 Drive Regulates the speed of the agitator screw.

700 T 2040 967-02 38

 Module 5

From reject
filtrate tank
From secondary
screen
From 2nd brown stock
washing press 6 From screen reject
filtrate tank

1 5
Screen feed tank

Primary Primary Primary Primary

2 screen screen screen screen
To 3rd brown stock
3 washing press

To secondary
4 screen

323 B 2041 048-02

3.4 Process flow - primary screens

1 Pulp from the second brown stock washing press dilution con-
veyor.

2 The pulp supplied by the screen feed pump is distributed to the

primary screens.

3 The accept from the primary screens flow to the third brown stock
washing press.

4 The reject from the primary screens flows to the secondary

screen.

5 Accept from the secondary screen is taken back to the primary

screen feed.

6 Screen dilution is used to fill the screens before start-up and to

flush the screens.

700 T 2040 967-02 39

 Module 5

To primary
screens feed

2 4 6

Reject from
primary screens 1 5

Secondary Tertiary Quaternary 7

screen screen screen

To reject tank

323 B 2041 054-02

Process flow - secondary, tertiary and quaternary

screens

1 Reject from the primary screens flow to the secondary screen.

2 Accept from the secondary screen is pumped back to the primary

screens feed.

3 Reject from the secondary screen flows to the tertiary screen.

4 Accept from the tertiary screen is pumped back to the secondary

screen feed.

5 Reject from the tertiary screen flows to the quaternary screen.

6 Accept from the quaternary screen is pumped back to the tertiary

screen feed.

7 Reject from the quaternary screen flows to the reject tank.

700 T 2040 967-02 40

 Module 5

Screw press

Reject from quaternary

screen
7
5 Cleaners
1 2
Reject tank Reject filtrate
tank
3 4 6

To primary
screen feed

323 B 2041 055-02

Process flow - reject treatment

1 The reject tank receives reject from the quaternary screen.

2 Diluted reject from the reject tank is pumped to the screw press.

3 Squeezed filtrate from the screw press flows to the suction side
of the first reject filtrate cleaner feed pump.

4 Filtrate from the reject filtrate tank is pumped to the first reject
filtrate cleaner.

5 Accept from the first reject filtrate cleaner is taken back to the
reject tank.

6 Filtrate from the reject filtrate tank and reject from the first reject
filtrate cleaner is fed to the second reject filtrate cleaner.

7 Accept from the second reject filtrate cleaner is taken back to the
first reject filtrate cleaner.

700 T 2040 967-02 41

 Module 5

From reject
6 filtrate tank
From secondary
screen
FIC
1409 FIC
1417

From second brown From screen reject

stock wash press filtrate tank

2
PDI
1421

LSH
1407

3 PIC
1420
SSL To 3rd brown stock
1408
washing press
FIC
SSL 1419
1401
To secondary
screen
LIC
1403 FIC
1413
5
1
NIC
1410
4
From 3rd brown stock
wash press pressate tank

323 B 2041 072-02

3.5 Controls - primary screens

Control Purpose

1 Level indicating Indicates and controls the level in the screen

controller feed tank.
LIC 1403

2 Level switch high Stops the pulp feed to the screen feed tank
LSH 1407 when the level reaches the preset high value.

3 Speed switch Shows if the agitator is turning along with

SSL 1401/1408 the motor.

4 Consistency Indicates pulp consistency to the primary

indicating screen and controls dilution flow.
controller
NIC 1410

5 Flow indicating Indicates and controls the pulp flow to the

controller primary screen.
FIC 1413

6 Flow indicating Indicates and controls the dilution flow to

controller the primary screen feed.
FIC 1409

700 T 2040 967-02 42

 Module 5

From reject
filtrate tank
7 From secondary
screen
FIC
1409 FIC
1417

From second brown From screen reject

stock wash press filtrate tank
10

PDI
1421

LSH
1407

PIC
1420 8
SSL To 3rd brown stock
1408
washing press
FIC
SSL
1401
1419
9
To secondary
screen
LIC
1403 FIC
1413

NIC
1410

From 3rd brown stock

wash press pressate tank

323 B 2041 073-02

Controls - primary screens (cont´d)

Control Purpose

7 Flow indicating Indicates and controls the flow of dilution

controller for flushing the screen.
FIC 1417

8 Pressure Indicates and controls the pressure of the

indicating primary screen accept. Adjusts the accept
controller flow.
PIC 1420

9 Flow indicating Indicates and controls the flowrate of the

controller reject from the primary screen.
FIC 1419

10 Pressure Indicates the difference in pressure between

difference the feed and accept lines.
indicator
PDI 1421

700 T 2040 967-02 43

 Module 5

4 PIC
1606
To primary PIC
screens feed 1623

1 PIC
1523

2 5
PDI PDI PDI
1521 1605 1621

Reject from
primary screens
FIC FIC FIC
1520 1603 1620
Secondary Tertiary Quaternary
screen screen screen
3 To reject tank

323 B 2041 078-02

Controls - secondary, tertiary and quaternary

screens

Control Purpose

1 Pressure indicating Indicates and controls the pressure of the

controller secondary screen accept. Adjust the accept
PIC 1523 flow.

2 Pressure difference Indicates the difference in pressure between

indicator the feed and accept lines of the secondary
PDI 1521 screen.

3 Flow indicating Indicates and controls the reject flow rate

controller from the secondary screen.
FIC 1520

4 Pressure indicating Indicates and controls the pressure of the

controller tertiary screen accept. Adjusts the accept
PIC 1606 flow.

5 Pressure difference Indicates the difference in pressure between

controller the feed and accept lines of the tertiary
PDI 1605 screen.

700 T 2040 967-02 44

 Module 5

PIC
1606
To primary 7 PIC
screens feed 1623

PIC
1523

8
PDI PDI PDI
1521 1605 1621

Reject from
primary screens
FIC FIC FIC
1520 1603 1620
Secondary Tertiary Quaternary
screen screen screen
6 9 To reject tank

323 B 2041 079-02

Controls - secondary, tertiary and quaternary

screens (cont´d)

Control Purpose

6 Flow indicating Indicates and controls the reject flow rate

controller from the tertiary screen.
FIC 1603

7 Pressure indicating Indicates and controls the pressure of the

controller quaternary screen accept. Adjust the accept
PIC 1623 flow.

8 Pressure difference Indicates the difference in pressure between

indicator the feed and accept lines of the quaternary
PDI 1621 screen.

9 Flow indicating Indicates and controls the reject flow rate

controller from the quaternary screen.
FIC 1620

700 T 2040 967-02 45

 Module 5

SSL
1707
2 6
From the quaternary
screen FIC LIC
1708 1702

1
LIC
1703 5 LIC
3 1714

HS
1705

4
HS HIC HS
SSL SSL 1718 1726 1722
1704 1716

To primary
screen feed

323 B 2041 081-02

Controls - reject treatment

Control Purpose

1 Level indicating Indicates and controls the level in the reject

controller tank by adjusting the feed to the screw press
LIC 1703 (FIC 1708).

2 Flow indicating Indicates and controls the flow of reject to

controller the screw press.
FIC 1708

3 Hand switch Opens and closes the valve ahead of the

HS 1705 screw press feed pump.
4 Speed switch Indicates if the agitator is turning along with
SSL 1704 the motor.

5 Level indicating Indicates and controls the level in the reject

controller filtrate tank.
LIC 1714

6 Level indicating Indicates and controls the level in the screw

controller press discharge pipe. This valve adjusts the
LIC 1702 discharge rate from the screw press.

700 T 2040 967-02 46

 Module 5

SSL
1707

From the quaternary

screen FIC LIC
1708 1702

LIC
1703 LIC
1714

HS
1705
7

HS HIC HS
SSL SSL 1718 1726 1722
1704 1716

9 11 10

To primary
screen feed

323 B 2041 082-02

Controls - reject treatment (cont´d)

Control Purpose
7 Speed switch Indicates if the agitator is turning along with
SSL 1716 the motor.
8 Speed switch Indicates if the screw press shaft is turning
SSL 1707 along with the motor.

9 Hand switch Opens and closes the valve ahead of the first
HS 1718 stage reject filtrate cleaner feed pump.

10 Hand switch Opens and closes the valve ahead of the

HS 1722 second stage reject filtrate cleaner feed pump.

11 Hand indicating Indicates and controls the first stage reject

controller filtrate cleaner reject valve position.
HIC 1726

700 T 2040 967-02 47

 Module 5

To 3rd brown stock

washing press

Screw press

From 2nd brown stock

washing press

Primary Secondary Tertiary Quaternary

screen screen screen screen

Screen feed tank Cleaners

Reject tank Reject filtrate

tank

323 B 2040 968-02

3.6 Principles of operation

The screen room is positioned between the second and third brown
stock wash presses. The screening system consists of four primary
screens, one secondary screen, one tertiary screen and one quaternary
screen. Reject from the quaternary screen travels to a screw press,
where the reject is dewatered before it is removed from the system.
The liquid from the screw press travels to a tank and then on to a
cleaner. The accept from the cleaner travels back to the filtrate tank.
The reject from the cleaner travels to the second cleaner.

The purpose of the screens is to separate the good fiber from the debris.
Pulp from the second brown stock wash press feeds the primary
screens. To recover as much good fiber as possible, the screens are
connected in cascade arrangement. This means that several stages of
screening are used and that the accepts of the secondary, tertiary and
quaternary screens are fed back to the preceding screening stage. This
action is preformed in order to recover as much good fiber as possible.

700 T 2040 967-02 48

 Module 5

To 3rd brown stock

washing press

Screw press

From 2nd brown stock

washing press

Primary Secondary Tertiary Quaternary

screen screen screen screen

Screen feed tank Cleaners

Reject tank Reject filtrate

tank

323 B 2040 968-02

Principles of operation (cont´d)

With the cascade screening arrangement, the system is as follows:

The accept from the primary screens goes downstream to the 3rd
brown stock wash press. The reject from the primary screens travels
to the secondary screen in order to recover more good fiber. The accept
from the secondary screen is fed to the primary screens. The reject
from the secondary screen feed the tertiary screen. The accept from the
tertiary screen travels back to the secondary screen feed. The reject
from the tertiary screen travels to the quaternary screen. The accept
from the quaternary screen travels back to the tertiary screen feed. The
reject from the quaternary screen travels to the reject tank. From the
reject tank it is pumped to the screw press.

As the pulp passes through each stage of screening, more of the good
fiber is separated from the debris. The good fiber, or the accept, from
each stage is sent back to the privious stage so that it can be recovered.
The debris, comprises a bigger part of the reject stream as it passes
through each stage. In the final stage, the reject stream consists mostly
of debris. Only a few good fibers are removed from the system by
using several screening stages.

700 T 2040 967-02 49

 Module 5

To 3rd brown stock

washing press

Screw press

From 2nd brown stock

washing press

Primary Secondary Tertiary Quaternary

screen screen screen screen

Screen feed tank Cleaners

Reject tank Reject filtrate

tank

323 B 2040 968-02

Principles of operation (cont´d)

The reject from the quaternary screen will still contain a lot of liquid.
This filtrate is recovered and can be used elsewhere in the process as
dilution. It is also harmful to the environment to sewer. To separate the
liquid from the quaternary screen reject, the reject stream is sent to the
screw press. The screw press consists of a rotating screw surrounded
by a conical basket. As the pulp travels with the screw, the liquid is
pressed out of the pulp. The pulp will enter the screw press at about 3%
consistency, and is pressed to 30% consistency. When the dewatered
reject leaves the screw press, it will be sewered.

To be able to use the filtrate in the process, it is important to remove

sand that may be included with the pulp. If the sand is not removed
from the process, it will build up and cause rapid wear of the
equipment. The best way to remove the sand is to send the filtrate
stream from the screw press through a sand cleaner. The sand cleaner
separates heavier particles such as sand from the filtrate by a centri-
fugal action. The filtrate from the screw press is sent to the reject
filtrate tank. The filtrate is then pumped through the cleaner. The tank
and the pump ahead of the cleaner ensures a steady operating pressure,
which is needed for good sand separation. The reject cleaner accept
is sent back to the reject filtrate tank. The reject travels to a second
cleaner.

700 T 2040 967-02 50

 Module 5

To 3rd brown stock

washing press

Screw press

From 2nd brown stock

washing press

Primary Secondary Tertiary Quaternary

screen screen screen screen

Screen feed tank Cleaners

Reject tank Reject filtrate

tank

323 B 2040 968-02

Principles of operation (cont´d)

There are three tanks in the system:

– The screen feed tank. It allows for consistency control and can
also be used to maintain changes in flow.

– The reject tank allows to maintains changes in flow.

– The reject filtrate tank. This tank acts as a surge tank to provide
even flow and pressure to the reject filtrate cleaner.

700 T 2040 967-02 51

 Module 5

PI

Feed

PIC

Accept

323 B 2035 218-02A

4.0 Control strategy

4.1 Pressure control

The flow of pulp through the screen is controlled by pressure control

on the accepts. If the accept pressure decreases, the pressure controller
on the accept side causes the accept valve to close, in order to maintain
the pressure set-point. This action causes the accept pressure to build
up until the set-point is reached. If the accept pressure is higher than
the set-point, the accepts valve will open to relieve the pressure.

If the screen blinds over, that is, if the pulp forms a mat on the inside
of the basket, the pressure on the accept side will decrease and the pulp
will stop flowing through the screen. At this point, the differential
pressure will increase. The accept valve must then be closed in order
to increase the pressure on the accept side. When the pressure on the
accept side has built up to the same pressure as on the feed side, the
differential pressure will be zero. The pulp mat that has formed on the
inside of the basket is then able to “let go” of the screen basket and slide
to the bottom of the screen and the basket is cleared. The screen can
plug if this task is not preformed. If the screen plugs, it will need to be
opened and cleaned.

700 T 2040 967-02 52

 Module 5

PI PDI

Feed

PIC

Accept

323 B 2035 219-02A

4.2 Differential pressure

The differential pressure is the difference between the screen feed and
accept pressures. Differential pressure is monitored, but not con-
trolled. It serves as an indicator of how the pulp flows through the
screen. For example, when a screen basket is blinding over with stock
and no pulp passes through, the differential pressure will increase.
This indicates that the accept pressure has decreased. In this case, it is
necessary to close the accept valve and let the accepts pressure build
up in order that the differential pressure is zero and the screening
surface can be cleared. The differential pressure is calculated between
inject pressure and accept pressure.

700 T 2040 967-02 53

 Module 5

Feed

Accept outlet
FIC

Reject outlet

323 B 2035 220-02A

4.3 Reject rate - flow control

The reject rate, or how much of the feed is rejected, is controlled by

a flow valve. A very low reject rate can cause reject thickening, poor
accept quality, wear and other operational problems. When the reject
rate is reduced, more debris will accumulate in the screening area. The
higher debris level will cause accelerated wear on the basket and the
rotor. This leads to a dirtier accept stream, since more reject material
is forced through the screen slots. With an extremely low reject rate
there is risk of increased dewatering of the pulp and shives stapling in
the slots. During upset conditions, it will be necessary to increase the
reject rate since there is more debris in the feed. Normally 15-35% of
the feed flow is rejected from each screen depending on how much
debris is in the screen. More debris calls for a higher reject rate to
ensure the that the debris will exit through the reject pipe, and not be
forced through the basket.

700 T 2040 967-02 54

 Module 5

4.4 Consistency control

It is important to maintain an even consistency because large fluctua-

tions in a short period of time may cause the screen to blind over. The
consistency is adjusted in and between each screen with (rotor
dilution). Since the DeltaScreen has less reject thickening than other
screens it can be operated at a higher consistency. However, if the
consistency becomes too high, thickening of the pulp, wear of the
basket and plugging of lines will occur.

It is important to maintain an even consistency or to make consistency

changes slowly in order to not blind the screens. If frequent blinding
is observed, consistency may be to high.

700 T 2040 967-02 55

 Module 5

Feed

Accept outlet

Reject outlet

323 B 2035 221-02A

4.5 Rotor dilution

Due to possible thickening in the bottom of the screening area, rotor

dilution is added. Rotor dilution helps to control the consistency in the
screen and serves as lubrication for the rotor unit. It is important to
have flow at all times, otherwise the opening where the dilution enters
the screen can plug with fiber.

700 T 2040 967-02 56

 Module 5

Feed

Accept outlet

FAL

323 B 2035 222-02A

4.6 Sealing water

In order to protect the internal machinery, sealing water is required at

all times. For normal operation, three or four liters per minute are
recommended.

700 T 2040 967-02 57

 Module 5

Vent

323 B 2035 223-02A

4.7 Venting

To some degree, air is entrainment will usually occur. Venting should

occur during operation to remove entrained air. If the screens are not
vented, an air cushion will form in the top of the screen and cause
operational problems. The screens need to be vented at least once per
shift and more often if there is a lot of entrained air in the process. To
vent the screen, open up the hand valve at the top of the screen. If
frequent venting is needed, it is advisable to determine the root cause
rather than to just address the symptoms. It is possible that air is added
earlier in the process, for example, in a blow tank where the level is
low.

It is important to vent the screen after shut-down before it is opened

to equalize the pressure. The screen also needs to be vented during the
filtrate fill, prior to start-up.

700 T 2040 967-02 58

 Module 5

Junk outlet

323 B 2035 224-02A

4.8 Sand and gravel removal

Sand and gravel removal are a must if slotted screen baskets are used
and if the last stage rejects will be further treated or returned to the
process. Screen baskets will wear down in two to three months if sand
and gravel are not removed from the system. Therefore, well-operat-
ing cleaners and frequent dumping of the junk trap is very important.
If a good debris removal system exists, the life of the basket can be
well over a year.

700 T 2040 967-02 59