Handling fibrous material used to produce cellulose pulp

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Untreated wood chips are fed to treatment e.g. steaming at, substantially atmospheric pressure using a mechanical conveyor. Steaming may be accomplished utilizing a vertical chip bin with one dimensional convergence and side relief fed by a horizontal conveyor (e.g. screw conveyor) having a physical restriction which insures formation of a chip plug to prevent leakage of gas through the conveyor housing inlet. The physical restriction may be a generally vertical hinged plate, with an opening containing elastomeric material through which the shaft of the conveyor may pass, or a stationary generally vertical plate with one or more openings, which openings also may be covered with yielding …