Abstract: A feeder assembly (28) for projecting solid fuel, such as coal (24), into a combustion chamber (11) of a furnace (10) includes a distributor (44) and a feeder (42) disposed in a housing (40). The distributor (44) includes a rotor (48) having blades (46) extending outwardly therefrom, and the rotor (48) is rotatable to project the solid fuel into the combustion chamber (11). The feeder (42) includes a conveyor assembly (50) for providing the solid fuel to the rotor (48). The housing (40) includes an aperture (41) disposed therein, through which the solid fuel is projected into the combustion chamber (11). The housing (40) also includes a portion (45) movable between: a first position wherein the aperture (41) is open to allow the solid fuel to be projected into the combustion chamber (11), and a second position wherein the movable portion (45) closes the aperture (41) to shield the rotor (48) from heat emitted from the combustion chamber (11) and allow maintenance and/or replacement of the distributor (44).

Abstract: An apparatus 40 for controlling the deposition of feed material, such as coal 24, on a deposition build-up surface 64 subjected to deposition loading of feed material is provided for use in a feeder arrangement having an endless conveyor 42 for conveying feed material to the rotating blades 46 of a distribution rotor 44 for further conveyance of the feed material. The deposition control apparatus 40 controls the deposition on the deposition build-up surface 64 of feed material that has exited the endless conveyor 42 yet has not been conveyed beyond the distribution rotor 44. The deposition control apparatus 40 includes a device for influencing the movement of feed material relative to the deposition build-up surface 64 such that the deposition of feed material on the deposition build-up surface 64 is hindered.