Weyerhaeuser Company Limited

Ramon C Dezutter

Michael R Hansen

Brian Wester

Robert A Veleber

Discrete particles of cellulosic material are flowable and meterable. They are easily dispersible in an aqueous or a dry medium. The particles comprise singulated cellulose fibers that have been densified. The particles have a density of at least 0.3 g/cc.

Flowable and meterable densified fiber particle

Process for making a flowable and meterable densified fiber particle

A process for making singulated pulp flakes is provided. The process includes dewatering liquid pulp stock to a consistency of about 30 to about 50% solids. The process includes initial flaking to break up the dewatered pulp bundles into semi-uniform flakes having a median size of from about 3 to about 5 mmand a consistency of from about 33 to about 55% solids. The process includes drying the flaked pulp to a consistency of from about 85 to about 97% solids. The process includes flaking a second time to separate the flakes that may have bonded during drying. The product 'singulated' flakes then go to a baler for packaging. In another embodiment, the process includes blending the liquid pulp stock with at least one adjuvant prior to dewatering.

Flowable and meterable densified fiber flake

The present invention is directed to a new form of pulp that is a flake having a specific size, density, and wet dispersibility. The flakes are easy to meter in specified quantities when adding to cementitious products, because bulk quantities of the flakes flow well in conduits and other enclosed containers. The pulp flakes can supply sufficient cellulose fiber to an extrusion process due to the flakes' high fiber density. The pulp flakes have a wet dispersability that is comparable to some pulp sheets that have not been hammermilled. In one embodiment of the invention, a pulp flake is provided that has a wet dispersion of from about 60 to about 240 counts as measured by a standard British disintegrator. Another embodiment of a pulp flake has a density of from about 0.3 to about 0.7 g/cc. In one embodiment, the pulp flake has a size of from about 3 to about 5 mm .

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Milton, WA, United States of America

Ramon C Dezutter