Abstract: A method of transferring particulates from a storage silo to another container or to a process, in which the particulates are fed from the silo into a transfer device comprising a conduit having a first convergent section (2) converging in the direction of particulate flow followed by a second convergent section (3) also converging in the direction of particulate flow. The convergence geometry is arranged so that the particulates passing though the conduit under gravity are discharged from the outlet of the second convergent section in a vena contracta flow pattern. The vena contracta effect provides a structured outlet flow where a portion of the outlet flow is narrower than the outlet itself and this enables high flow rate filling of vessels or containers through relatively small apertures (e.g. tanker hatches).