This invention provides a dried singulated crosslinked cellulose pulp
fiber product as well as an apparatus and a method for forming
singulated, crosslinked, and dried fibers. In accordance with the
process, a feed pulp containing a crosslinker is delivered to a jet
drier. The jet drier singulates and dries the feed pulp. The singulated
and dried fibers are collected from the jet drier. The feed pulp may be
further treated with a treatment substance. The jet drier may be
maintained at negative pressure. The product fibers may have low knot
count, a low fines count, as well improved kink, curl, and twist. The
apparatus for carrying out the process may include a pretreatment station
for supplying the treatment substance, a pulp feed device designed for
pulp, a pulp feed device designed for pulp and foam suspensions, and/or a
fiber separation station having a vacuum conveyor.