Abstract: A method of continuously feeding solid particles into a pressurized container which comprises the steps of confining a body of liquid having a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of the particles in proximity to the pressurized container, maintaining communication of the pressure conditions within the pressurized container with a free surface of the confined body of liquid so as to maintain the body of liquid under pressure, continuously introducing a supply of solid particles entrained in liquid under pressure into the body of liquid under pressure, causing the entrained particles introduced into the body of liquid to continuously move toward the bottom portion thereof, mechanically continuously moving the particles in the bottom portion of the body of liquid upwardly along a confined path which extends from a position adjacent the bottom portion of the body of liquid upwardly above the level of the aforesaid free surface thereof to a feed position in pressure communication with the interior of t

Abstract: Apparatus for separating particles from a stream of gas and entrained parles comprising an annular duct having at one end an inlet to direct the stream into the duct such that the stream passes through the duct with swirl and at the other end outlet means to divide the inner part of the flow from particles in the outer region of the flow. The inlet and duct are shaped so that the swirl within the duct is that of a potential vortex in which the velocity is perpendicular to the axis of the vortex and is inversely proportional to the radius from this axis. This enables substantially streamline flow to be maintained. The annular duct may be conically tapered.

Abstract: A system including apparatus for automatically and continuously, or intermittently, feeding disposal material such as highly combustible waste plastic in containers such as 55 gallon steel drums or in packages such as 30 gallon sizes into a rotary kiln or any other appropriate receiver. Highly combustible or explosive materials must be placed carefully into a rotary kiln or other type of combustible disposal equipment because of the likelihood of explosion or blow back when the material reaches the heat. Such material contained in packages of 55 gallon steel drums or in bales or disposable cartons is delivered by conveyor to a grid for raising same and in clamping means which holds the reclaimable drum and tilts same through an openable closure into the furnace or incinerator, dumps the container and returns it to reclaimable position to be moved on out another conveyor system.

Abstract: A plurality of coke oven chambers is provided with respective filling inlets arranged in a row. A coal conveyor arrangement is located above such row and extends in the direction of the row. The coal conveyor arrangement is provided with a plurality of outlet units spaced from each other along the length of the row. A filling arrangement is operative for conveying coal from the outlet units to the filling inlets. The filling arrangement comprises a hopper movable along the length of the row of filling inlets and provided with a plurality of inlet units arranged to successively register with the outlet units and provided with at least one outlet unit communicating inside the hopper with the inlet units and arranged to register with successive ones of the filling inlets.

Abstract: A method of continuously feeding coal or the like to coal gasifier means or the like operating under a predetermined elevated pressure and of continuously removing ash or the like therefrom in which the coal feeding and ash removing procedures are interrelated to provide energy conservation by removing heat from the ash and transferring the heat to the coal, such energy conservation being performed by means of the liquid medium (water) used to feed the coal and remove the ash. In the coal feeding procedure, coal is continuously introduced into a first low energy water circuit from which successive volumes of coal particles and entrained water are transferred to a second high energy water circuit during which transfer the first circuit gains water from the second circuit, the second circuit includes a first liquid volume having a free liquid surface maintained at a high pressure level at or near the pressure level of the gasifier through which the coal is moved to supply the gasifier.

Abstract: A process for providing pressurized, pulverized coal for use in combustion or gasifying of coal by the fluidized bed or suspended particle combustion principles which comprises the steps of introducing lump coal, of stoker size to run of mine size, into a low energy liquid circulation stream; transferring the lump coal to a high energy, high pressure, liquid circulation stream; separating the lump coal from the high energy liquid circulation stream by lifting the coal through a free liquid surface, said high energy liquid draining from the coal by gravity; directing the coal by gravity transfer to a continuous mechanical dryer for removal of surface liquid; gravity transfer to a coal crusher for major size reduction; gravity transfer to a coal pulverizer for size reduction necessary for the gasification processes; transfer of pulverized coal by gas circulation from the pulverizer to a cyclone separator, said circulating gas used in the pulverizer for coal particle classifying; and final injection of the pulve