Importance

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Abstract

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 flexible material and with the degree of sealing provided controlled by the speed of rotation of the conveyor shaft.

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First Claim