Dynamic Washer - A New Approach for Washing Recycled Fibers, 1993 Recycling Symposium Proceedings

Recycled fibers can contain undesirable materials such as inks, ash, and dirt particles. Separation of these undesirable materials from recycled fibers can improve runnability and end product quality on modern paper machines. Washing is a mechanical process applied to separate these contaminants from recycled fibers.

Field trials and pilot plant work have shown that a conventional washer’s contaminant separation efficiency is dependant on the fiber mat characteristics formed during the washing process. Maximum contaminant separation efficiency is achieved for washers operating under a continuous fiber turbulence mode where no fiber

mat is formed.

The Beloit Dynamic Washer uses a pressure driven process in which a finely perforated filter separates the contaminants from the stock. The principle involved is a combination of releasing and removing the contaminants from the fiber suspension by keeping the stock in the washing zone under high turbulent motion. Trials have shown that a continuous disturbance of the fiber mat in the Dynamic Washer has achieved higher contaminant separation efficiencies compared to conventional washers.