Methods for conveying, mixing, leveling, and flaking dewatered pulp to
produce pulp flakes suitable to be used in a dryer. Methods for producing
a consistent flow rate of pulp, and, for producing uniform pulp flakes in
terms of pulp flake size and pulp flake moisture content. A method
includes introducing a dewatered pulp to a rotating shaftless screw
conveyor. The pulp is deposited from the screw conveyor onto a moving
belt conveyor through a chute. The pulp is leveled with a rotary doctor
located above the belt conveyor to produce a substantially even rate of
mass flow of pulp along a length of belt conveyor. Uniform and consistent
quantities of pulp per unit time can then be fed from the belt conveyor
to a pulp flaker that then translates into an even rate of pulp mass flow
to the dryer.