Appeal No. 94-2858
Application 07/873,715
solid/liquid separation to produce a liquid having a reduced free
caustic concentration for use in the second digestion stage.
This has the effect of reducing corrosion on the downstream
process equipment. See the specification at page 5, lines 1
through 10. Moreover, this feature is clearly set forth in steps
(b) and (c) of appealed claim 53 which indicate that the liquid
phase, after separation, has a reduced free caustic concentration
in relation to that of the alkali solution, and that at least a
portion of this liquid phase having the reduced free caustic
concentration is preheated prior to recombination with the
solid/liquid slurry stream before the second digestion stage. It
is this claimed feature which distinguishes the subject matter
defined by the appealed claims from that of the conventional
Bayer process as well as that of the applied references,
particularly the McDaniel reference.
It appears to be the basic position of the examiner that the
Figure 2 embodiment of McDaniel ?reads on? the process defined by
appealed claim 53. We cannot subscribe to the examiner’s
position. More particularly, the examiner argues that the spent
liquor stream 80 in the McDaniel process corresponds to the
claimed ?liquid phase having a reduced free caustic concentration
in relation to that of the alkali solution?. See the Answer at
4
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Last modified: November 3, 2007