Todd Shelvey Grace

US Patent:

6375795, Apr 23, 2002

Filed:

Dec 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/726393

Inventors:

David J. Lebel - Queensbury NY
Todd S. Grace - Queensbury NY

Assignee:

Andritz-Ahlstrom Inc. - Glen Falls NY

International Classification:

D21C 1106

US Classification:

162 17, 162 47, 162 52, 162246, 162248

Abstract:

The release of malodorous TRS-containing gases from a comminuted cellulosic fibrous material feed system for a digester is minimized utilizing a particular arrangement associated with a pressure isolation device. Material is fed through the pressure isolation device and the pressure of the material increases from the inlet to the outlet, and the material is discharged from the pressure isolation device into a treatment vessel, such as a horizontal steaming vessel. Malodorous gases from the pressure isolation device are discharged substantially independently of the material discharged from the isolation device, and at least some of the malodorous gases discharged from the pressure isolation device are pressurized (e. g. in an eductor or thermocompressor) and reintroduced into the flow of cellulosic material downstream of the pressure isolation device (for example into the horizontal steaming vessel or a vessel downstream of it). In the horizontal steaming vessel the gases can be removed from a top portion thereof and fed to an NCG system associated with the pulp mill.

US Patent:

7293659, Nov 13, 2007

Filed:

May 31, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/443272

Inventors:

Todd S. Grace - Alpharetta GA, US

Assignee:

Andritz Inc. - Glens Falls NY

International Classification:

B01D 33/067
B01D 33/073

US Classification:

210404, 210402, 210784

Abstract:

A drum structure for corrugated type rotary filters has relatively high filtering efficiency and relatively low manufacturing and/or installation costs. More specifically, a corrugated deck section is rigidly connected to a rotary drum structure by means of solid non-apertured divider grids which establish a drain channel. The drain channel is subdivided into respective compartments by means of intermediate solid non-apertured grids which are unconnected to the corrugated deck, but provide subjacent radial support thereto. Drainage slits are provided in the corrugated deck in alignment with each of the compartments. Plug dams are provided in the corrugation spaces between the upper edge of the intermediate grids and the lower corrugated deck surface so as to prevent substantially filtrate flow between individual compartments. Filtrate may thus flow through the drainage slits and into a respective one of the compartments where it can then subsequently be drained transversely and longitudinally into a respective port associated with the drum filter.

US Patent:

7347916, Mar 25, 2008

Filed:

Aug 24, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/210268

Inventors:

Todd S. Grace - Alpharetta GA, US

Assignee:

Andritz Inc. - Glens Falls NY

International Classification:

D21C 9/02

US Classification:

162 60, 162272, 162199, 134119, 134 21, 210402, 210404

Abstract:

A vacuum drum washer is designed to enable the use of an end-draining drum for drum lengths exceeding 20 feet. The drum washer includes a cylindrical drum having a mesh screen defining an exterior wall. A plurality of outer filtrate channels are disposed radially inward from the mesh screen. A plurality of inner filtrate channels are disposed radially inward from the outer filtrate channels and extend along generally less than an entire length of the drum. A transfer channel connects the outer filtrate channels and the inner filtrate channels. A plurality of radial drainage chutes are disposed adjacent a head end of the outer and inner filtrate channels, which direct the filtrate to a drain valve.

US Patent:

7374050, May 20, 2008

Filed:

Apr 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/830148

Inventors:

Todd S. Grace - Alpharetta GA, US
Joseph A. Gottberg - Mooresville NC, US

Assignee:

Andritz Inc. - Glens Falls NY

International Classification:

B01D 33/073

US Classification:

210404, 210489, 21049701, 210499

Abstract:

A rotary drum filter has a plurality of longitudinally extending division grids mounted about the outer circumference of a drum. A plurality of corrugated sheets are provided, with the leading and trailing edges of each sheet mounted to circumferentially adjacent pairs of division grids to define filtrate compartments. An equivalent number of perforated filter plates are also provided. Each filter plate is attached to the top of a corrugated sheet and has a leading edge and a trailing edge that are set back from the leading edge and trailing edge of the corrugated sheet. A seal clip is positioned near the leading edge of each corrugated sheet. A seal member or seal members is/are held in place by the seal clip and is/are positioned at the face of the leading edge of each corrugated sheet or beneath and near the face or each corrugated sheet. A perforated cap strip can be removably attached to the top of each division grid to thereby retain for confined movement each filter plate and corrugated sheet combination (filter deck and drainage deck) during rotary drum filter operation and to allow easy replacement of the filter plate and corrugated sheet combination(s) and/or cap strip(s) when the rotary drum filter is not in operation. This rotary drum filter design and operation has increased capacity and efficiency.

US Patent:

7575658, Aug 18, 2009

Filed:

Dec 10, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/953486

Inventors:

Todd S. Grace - Alpharetta GA, US

Assignee:

Andritz Inc. - Glens Falls NY

International Classification:

D21C 9/02

US Classification:

162 60, 162272, 162199, 134119, 134 21, 210402, 210404

Abstract:

A vacuum drum washer is designed to enable the use of an end-draining drum for drum lengths exceeding 20 feet. The drum washer includes a cylindrical drum having a mesh screen defining an exterior wall. A plurality of outer filtrate channels are disposed radially inward from the mesh screen. A plurality of inner filtrate channels are disposed radially inward from the outer filtrate channels and extend along generally less than an entire length of the drum. A transfer channel connects the outer filtrate channels and the inner filtrate channels. A plurality of radial drainage chutes are disposed adjacent a head end of the outer and inner filtrate channels, which direct the filtrate to a drain valve.

US Patent:

7678283, Mar 16, 2010

Filed:

May 7, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/149717

Inventors:

Todd S. Grace - Alpharetta GA, US
Joseph A. Gottberg - Mooresville NC, US

Assignee:

Andritz Inc. - Glens Falls NY

International Classification:

B01D 33/073

US Classification:

210784, 210791, 210404, 210489, 21049701, 210498

Abstract:

A rotary drum filter has a plurality of longitudinally extending division grids mounted about the outer circumference of a drum. A plurality of corrugated sheets are provided, with the leading and trailing edges of each sheet mounted to circumferentially adjacent pairs of division grids to define filtrate compartments. An equivalent number of perforated filter plates are also provided. Each filter plate is attached to the top of a corrugated sheet and has a leading edge and a trailing edge that are set back from the leading edge and trailing edge of the corrugated sheet. A seal clip is positioned near the leading edge of each corrugated sheet. A seal member or seal members is/are held in place by the seal clip and is/are positioned at the face of the leading edge of each corrugated sheet or beneath and near the face or each corrugated sheet. A perforated cap strip can be removably attached to the top of each division grid to thereby retain for confined movement each filter plate and corrugated sheet combination (filter deck and drainage deck) during rotary drum filter operation and to allow easy replacement of the filter plate and corrugated sheet combination(s) and/or cap strip(s) when the rotary drum filter is not in operation. This rotary drum filter design and operation has increased capacity and efficiency.

US Patent:

7708207, May 4, 2010

Filed:

Sep 5, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/469968

Inventors:

Todd S. Grace - Alpharetta GA, US
David Hollis Gordy - Monroe LA, US
David Brin Tidwell - Monroe LA, US

Assignee:

Andritz Inc. - Glens Falls NY

International Classification:

B05B 17/00
B05B 1/14

US Classification:

239 1, 239550

Abstract:

A nozzle assembly for spraying a wash liquid towards a pulp mat, the assembly including an integral fastener-nozzle having a conduit for the wash liquid, an outlet to the conduit for discharging the wash liquid and an attachment to secure the fastener-nozzle to an aperture in a wash liquid pipe, and a wash liquid direction device extending outwardly from the pipe and adapted to direct the wash liquid from the outlet towards the pulp mat.

US Patent:

7780815, Aug 24, 2010

Filed:

Jun 13, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/762111

Inventors:

Todd S. Grace - Alpharetta GA, US

Assignee:

Andritz Inc. - Glens Falls NY

International Classification:

D21C 9/02

US Classification:

162 60, 162 13, 210404, 210406

Abstract:

In a rotary drum for condensing pulp from a pulp slurry vat, the drum including radial conduits delivering filtrate from a pulp mat on an outer surface of the drum to at least one filtrate conduit coaxial with a drum rotational axis, a valve segment in the filtrate conduit including: an outer surface juxtaposed against drainage outlets of the radial conduits as the conduits pass through an angular range extending from an upper drum position to an immersed in a vat position, wherein the valve segment does not block the drainage outlets during a majority of the rotation of the drum; at least one inlet aperture on the outer surface aligned with the drainage outlets, said inlet aperture extending at least a majority of a width of the valve segment, and a closed passage extending from the inlet aperture to a gas vent external to the filtrate conduit, wherein the closed passage is offset from and below a centerline of the filtrate conduit.