Abstract: A cut and compression device is provided comprising at least one washer having at least one cutting edge and at least one compression surface wherein said washer has (a) a circular profile having a perimeter and wherein said washer has a center that is a void or a hole, and (b) wherein said cutting edge of said washer is located around or in juxtaposition to said perimeter of said washer, and wherein said compression surface is located downstream of said cutting edge.

Abstract: A fluidizing butterfly valve. The fluidizing butterfly valve includes a valve body and a fluidizing valve disk or member configured to fluidize material located above the butterfly valve and/or material moving through the butterfly valve.

Abstract: A fluidizing butterfly valve. The fluidizing butterfly valve includes a valve body and a fluidizing valve disk or member configured to fluidize material located above the butterfly valve and/or material moving through the butterfly valve.

Abstract: A system for mixing a fine bulk material including means defining a looped passageway including a vertically disposed, laterally enlarged section having a frusto-conically configured, lower outlet portion; means for injecting a fluid under pressure into an upper segment of such frusto-conically configured lower outlet portion to fluidize material therein; means for injecting a fluid under pressure into a lower segment of such frusto-conically configured lower portion to fluidize material therein; and means for injecting a fluid under pressure in said passageway downstream of said lower outlet portion sufficient to induce the flow of fluidized material through said passageway to an upper end of such enlarged section.

Abstract: Apparatus including a support; first tubular conduit of gas impermeable material having open and closed ends providing an axially disposed passageway with at least one radial outlet; a second tubular conduit of gas permeable material encompassing and spaced from such first tubular conduit, having closed ends, providing a first annular passageway communicating with the radial outlet; a third tubular conduit of gas impermeable material mounted on such support, encompassing and spaced from such second tubular conduit, providing a second annular passageway having open and closed ends and having an inlet at such closed end, a helical member mounted coaxially on such second tubular member, and a device for rotating the first tubular conduit and method using same wherein air under pressure travels from the axially disposed passageway, through the radial outlet into the first annular passageway and through the gas permeable material into the second annular passageway.

Abstract: Apparatus including a support; first tubular conduit of gas impermeable material having open and closed ends providing an axially disposed passageway with at least one radial outlet; a second tubular conduit of gas permeable material encompassing and spaced from such first tubular conduit, having closed ends, providing a first annular passageway communicating with the radial outlet; a third tubular conduit of gas impermeable material mounted on such support, encompassing and spaced from such second tubular conduit, providing a second annular passageway having open and closed ends and having an inlet at such closed end, a helical member mounted coaxially on such second tubular member, and a device for rotating the first tubular conduit and method using same wherein air under pressure travels from the axially disposed passageway, through the radial outlet into the first annular passageway and through the gas permeable material into the second annular passageway.

Abstract: A system for mixing a fine bulk material including means defining a looped passageway including a vertically disposed, laterally enlarged section having a frusto-conically configured, lower outlet portion; means for injecting a fluid under pressure into an upper segment of such frusto-conically configured lower outlet portion to fluidize material therein; means for injecting a fluid under pressure into a lower segment of such frusto-conically configured lower portion to fluidize material therein; and means for injecting a fluid under pressure in said passageway downstream of said lower outlet portion sufficient to induce the flow of fluidized material through said passageway to an upper end of such enlarged section.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling a fine bulk material including a tubular member formed of a gas permeable material, a tubular member formed of a gas impermeable material encompassing the first mentioned tubular member, having an inlet and outlet at opposite ends thereof, a helical member mounted on the first mentioned tubular member, means for rotating the first mentioned tubular member and means for injecting a fluid under pressure through the first mentioned tubular member into the annular passageway disposed between such tubular members including the helical member, precluding the settling of material being conveyed in such passageway.