Iain Jack: Tencel Pilot Plant Design (1979)

The process and mechanical design for the original pilot plant was carried out by myself and Mike Perry respectively. I have many memories of the money-no object approach at the time. Particularly trying to modify an old demin water plant with Pete Laity to form the first solvent purification plant, disinterring the world's oldest Z-blade mixer for premix production, and the very "hands on" approach to pulp shredding (sheets torn up during lab tea breaks) and premix feeding (snowballs drop into an airlock by Ruth). Also went to Switzerland with Pat to carry out the first continuous dope making trial at List (but that's a whole other story!)