Abstract: A transfer system according to an embodiment includes a transfer room, a robot, a trajectory generator, a determination unit, and an output unit. The transfer room has an exclusive area defined by a predetermined distance. The robot has an arm unit that is equipped with a robot hand transferring a thin plate-like workpiece and that operates in horizontal directions. The robot is installed in the transfer room so that a minimum turning area of the arm unit overlaps with a part of the exclusive area. The transfer system generates a trajectory of the robot hand, then determines, based on the generated trajectory, whether a part of the arm unit is included in the exclusive area, and outputs a predetermined signal.

Abstract: A three hopper charging installation for a shaft furnace includes a rotary distribution device for distributing bulk material in the furnace by rotating a distribution member about the furnace central axis and a first, a second and a third hopper arranged in parallel above the rotary distribution device and offset from the central axis. A sealing valve housing is arranged between the hoppers and the distribution device. It has a top part with a first, a second and a third inlet respectively communicating with the first, the second and the third hopper. A first, a second and a third sealing valve are provided in the top part. Each sealing valve includes a flap which is pivotable between a closed sealing position and an open parking position. The sealing valve housing also has a funnel shaped bottom part with an outlet communicating with the distribution device.

Abstract: A method and a device are involved in feeding hot material from a combustion boiler including at least one housing, at least one conveyor belt and at least one redirecting device, wherein the at least one conveyor belt first feeds the material with a first horizontal directional component and after passage through the redirecting device the material is fed with at least a second horizontal directional component that deviates from the first. Also, the material with the first directional component outside the redirecting device is continuously separated from the material with the second directional component. Additionally, the first directional component and the second directional component span an angle of 135° to 180°.

Abstract: A continuous pressure letdown system connected to a hopper decreases a pressure of a 2-phase (gas and solid) dusty gas stream flowing through the system. The system includes a discharge line for receiving the dusty gas from the hopper, a valve, a cascade nozzle assembly positioned downstream of the discharge line, a purge ring, an inert gas supply connected to the purge ring, an inert gas throttle, and a filter. The valve connects the hopper to the discharge line and controls introduction of the dusty gas stream into the discharge line. The purge ring is connected between the discharge line and the cascade nozzle assembly. The inert gas throttle controls a flow rate of an inert gas into the cascade nozzle assembly. The filter is connected downstream of the cascade nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A multiple hopper charging installation for a shaft furnace includes a rotary distribution device for distributing bulk material in the shaft furnace by rotating a distribution member about a central axis of the shaft furnace and at least two hoppers arranged in parallel and offset from the central axis above the rotary distribution device. Each hopper has a lower funnel part ending in an outlet portion and each hopper has a material gate valve with a shutter member associated to its outlet portion.

Abstract: A three hopper charging installation for a shaft furnace includes a rotary distribution device for distributing bulk material in the furnace by rotating a distribution member about the furnace central axis and a first, a second and a third hopper arranged in parallel above the rotary distribution device and offset from the central axis. A sealing valve housing is arranged between the hoppers and the distribution device. It has a top part with a first, a second and a third inlet respectively communicating with the first, the second and the third hopper. A first, a second and a third sealing valve are provided in the top part. Each sealing valve includes a flap which is pivotable between a closed sealing position and an open parking position. The sealing valve housing also has a funnel shaped bottom part with an outlet communicating with the distribution device.

Abstract: One embodiment provides for a material reclaiming apparatus for use with a bulk storage bin. The bulk storage bin includes a bottom which defines an elongated plurality of outlet openings from the storage bin. The material reclaiming apparatus includes a plurality of gates. Each gate is associated with a respective outlet opening, and each gate is moveable from a first position (blocking the associated outlet opening), to a second position (not blocking the associated outlet opening). The material reclaiming apparatus further includes a traveling reclaimer located beneath the bottom of the bulk storage bin, and which is configured to travel along the bottom beneath the gates. The traveling reclaimer includes a gate actuator. As a result of positioning the traveling reclaimer under any given gate, the gate actuator engages the gate to allow the gate actuator to move the gate from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A non-contaminating gas-tight valve for controlling a flow of granular polysilicon. The valve has a spherical valve member formed from single-crystal polysilicon, so that any particles worn from the valve member during use will be non-contaminating polysilicon. The valve member has a passage through which granular polysilicon flows when the valve is in an open position. When rotated perpendicular to the flow, the passage no longer permits movement of granular polysilicon through the valve. The valve member has a smooth finish and is wiped clean when rotated against non-abrasive upper and lower seats, reducing the likelihood of valve member wear. A cavity between the valve member and the valve body allows for removal of excess granular polysilicon from the valve, inhibiting the valve from seizing due to excess granular polysilicon slipping past the upper valve seat and accumulating within the valve. The valve additionally forms a gas-tight seal between an upstream and downstream side of the valve.

Abstract: A conveyor/cooler of hot loose materials produced by fluid bed boilers and various industrial processes includes one or more feeding channels, which are substantially vertical or at any inclination. Because of gravity, the material leaves the combustion chamber of the boiler. A metallic container is connected to the downstream end of the discharging channels. A metallic conveyor belt driven by a motor is placed within the container, and the material from the downstream end of the channels is laid on the conveyor belt, thus forming a travelling continuous bed. The belt therefore constitutes a regenerative heat exchanger which absorbs heat from the material during the forward run and gives it back to the air during the backward run.

Abstract: An unheading device for removable attachment onto a lower flanged opening of a vertically-oriented vessel such as a coking drum, the unheading device being controllably supported by multiple elongated vertically-extendable actuators such as hydraulic cylinders which extend between a lifting frame unit holding a head unit and the vessel support structure. The multiple vertically-extendable actuators are each pivotably attached at its lower end to the lifting frame unit, and are each pivotably attached at its upper end to the separate stationary support structure for the vessel. The unheading device is adapted for lowering the head unit and moving it laterally aside to a parking position on a platform portion of the vessel support structure, then raising the lifting frame unit with its attached decoking chute unit to contact the vessel lower flanged opening for coke removal therefrom.

Abstract: A discharge apparatus includes a housing into which a discharge pipe of a carbonization drum opens. A residue discharge chute which starts from the housing opens into a conveying device ending at an outlet. A filling-level meter is disposed at the residue discharge chute. The conveying device has a profiled separating shelf with an end remote from the mouth of the residue discharge chute, at which a bar screen is formed. The bar screen covers a delivery opening for fine residue and ends at the outlet for coarse residue. A vibrator is associated with the conveying device.

Abstract: The inlet of a coke chute is pushed upwards by a plurality of actuators until it encompasses the bottom outlet of a coking vessel. The inlet is preferably surrounded by a skirt which tapers inwardly from top to bottom, and the entire chute is preferably retractable below the level of the floor underneath the coking vessel. A plurality of locks can be used to secure the skirt to the lower portion of the vessel.

Abstract: A vessel unheading device and method especially suited to handle shot coke produced in a delayed coker unit of a petroleum refining process. The device includes a car having mounted thereon one or more bottom head retracting support members which can be laterally positioned below the head assembly. The support member includes a vertically retractable member suitable for elevating a bearing plate mounted at an upper end thereof into pivotable load bearing engagement with the head, and a horizontally retractable member having one end attached to the bearing plate and another end attached to the vertically retractable member for applying a pivot force. Shot coke or other debris is captured from the opened vessel by a mobile chute wheeled into position adjacent the unheading car. Following complete retraction, the head is transported to a remote location for maintenance.

Abstract: A dumping container for collecting, transporting and dumping primarily ashes removed from an incinerator. A pair of pivoted fore and aft frame members, of hollow box like crossection engage the tines of a manual cable operated hoist. The cable hoist provides the mobility needed to transport the dumping container to the incinerator, elevate it to the open top receiving vessel, and provide tilting and dumping in cooperation with a pair of hooking members on the bottom of the dumping container and the pivotal action of the dumping container fore and aft frame members. An integral water spray bar, connectable to an external water supply, provides water to wet down the ashes during the removal operation.

Abstract: A catalyst trough containing multiple guide tubes in registry with the tubes of a multi-tube catalytic reactor is utilized to unload catalysts therefrom with maximum dust containment and maximum catalyst recovery. The catalyst recovery trough contains an outlet collar connected to an outlet line and a positive fastening system whereby the trough is fixedly but detachably connected to the tube sheet of the reactor. The guide tubes extend vertically upwardly from the bottom of the trough and are open in the bottom so as to allow the provision of flexible steel rods or "fish tapes", which may or may not be equipped with high-fluid pressure tubes as air-lances for feeding into the tubes of the reactor, which are on center with the guide tubes of the trough. In this manner any catalytic material which is stuck or bridged across the catalytic tubes may be dislodged so as to fall by gravity into the recovery trough and into an outlet line for recovery.

Abstract: A catalyst trough containing multiple guide tubes in registry with the tubes of a multi-tube catalytic reactor is utilized to unload catalysts therefrom with maximum dust containment and maximum catalyst recovery. The catalyst recovery trough contains an outlet collar connected to an outlet line and a positive fastener whereby the trough is fixedly but detachably connected to the tube sheet of the reactor. The guide tubes extend vertically upwardly from the bottom of the trough and are open in the bottom so as to allow the provision of flexible steel rods or "fish tapes", which may or may not be equipped with high-fluid pressure tubes as air-lances for feeding into the tubes of the reactor, which are on center with the guide tubes of the trough. In this manner any catalytic material which is stuck or bridged across the catalytic tubes may be dislodged so as to fall by gravity into the recovery trough and into an outlet line for recovery.

Abstract: A buffer stop for an opening on a side-loading and side unloading furnace is mounted on a parallelogram linkage connected with a fixed support and is moved into position and out of position by the movement of a counterweight along a shaft on a member of the parallelogram linkage.

Abstract: An installation for charging a shaft furnace equipped with a distribution spout, several storage containers, a sluicing system and a valve cage is presented. The containers are arranged next to each other and are horizontally displaceable between a first position aligned on the vertical axis of the shaft furnace, where the material is unloaded; and a second position laterally separated from the vertical axis of the shaft furnace, where the containers are filled.

Abstract: The invention relates to the cocurrent gasification of coal and to a gas generator. The gas generator (11) comprises a vertical sealed vessel, the lower third of which is divided into several identical vertical compartments (12). Coal is loaded at the top (17). The major part of the hot reactive gas under pressure is introduced at the top (18), and the remaining part at lower levels (21, 22). Gas evacuation (24) is stopped from one compartment (12) in turn, gas produced is blown in order to unclog the filters (25, 26) and to loosen the ash, the ash is extracted at the bottom (23) and cold reactive gas is blown countercurrently in order to complete the combustion and to cool the ash. This gas generator enables coal from any source to be used and does not require purification downstream.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing flowable bulk material from the underside of a bulk-material column includes a container for bulk material conducting gaseous or vaporous media to be scrubbed upward through the column opposite the bulk-material flow for eliminating used filter material; a stationary grating below and spaced from the underside of the column including spaced-apart grid chambers; a first control grate above the grating, spaced from the underside of the column, covering the surface area of the grating, including alternating passage openings and blocking sections corresponding to the spacing of the grid chambers and being displaceable in a first horizontal stroke direction; and a second control grate below the grating, including passage openings and blocking sections and being displaceable axially parallel to the first stroke direction; the passage openings and blocking sections of the first and second control grates being mutually horizontally adjustable for alternately filling a first group of the grid

Abstract: A hopper for use in a dry ash removal system is structured with a front elevational profile which converges from top to bottom while the side elevational profile of same diverges from top to bottom to allow substantially uniform hopper cross-sectional area from top to bottom and thereby reduce incidence of ash bridging within the hopper.

Abstract: A basket is removably inserted in the upper end of each drain tube in those interbed assemblies of a catalytic tower whose catalyst beds are to be removed upwardly by vacuuming. The basket has a grid for a bottom wall, so that catalyst particles thereabove are retained but fluid being treated in the tower can easily pass therethrough. The provision of the baskets makes it possible to downwardly drain spent catalyst from the lower bed sections while simultaneously vacuuming it upwardly from the upper bed sections.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing solids from a solids upflow vessel, preferably an upflow retort, which includes a horizontally reciprocatable carriage containing a vertical feed cylinder that extends downward from a horizontal seal plate. A vertically reciprocatable piston is located inside the feed cylinder. One section of the seal plate contains a hole and a sliding door for opening and closing the hole. During normal operations when the apparatus is used to feed solids from a feed chute to an upflow vessel, the carriage is reciprocated between a first stationary position wherein the feed cylinder is aligned with the outlet of the solids feed chute while at least a portion of the closed hole in the seal plate is aligned with and below the inlet to the upflow vessel, and a second stationary position wherein the feed cylinder is aligned with the inlet to the upflow vessel while another section of the seal plate is aligned with the outlet from the feed chute.

Abstract: In a rotary apparatus for the production of layered glass batch pellets there is provided a dryer for final drying of the pellets prior to their being fed to a melting furnace.

Abstract: The rotary hearth furnace plant for heating granular high-carbon solids comprises an approximately funnel-shaped hearth, which rotates on a vertical axis and has a central outlet, which is disposed over a rotary table, on which the heated solids are moved by means of blades to an exit. The outlet of the rotary hearth furnace is disposed over the radially outer portion of the rotary table, which has a raised rim and a centrally disposed exit. A gastight hood is disposed between the rim of the rotary table and the rotary hearth.

Abstract: A vertical tunnel kiln (10) comprising a firing kiln (30) having a interior core (42) supporting a spiral chute (46) attached to the periphery of the core (42). A vibratory bowl feeder (20) automatically feeds parts (100) individually to the upper end (24) of the spiral chute (46), and the parts (100) progress down the chute by means of vibrations imparted to the interior core (42) and chute (46) by a vibratory mechanism (40) attached to the annular base (47). Heating elements (38) and (70) are disposed exteriorly and interiorly, respectively, about the interior core (42) to produce a temperature gradient. As the parts (100) advance along chute 46, resistive materials on the parts (100) are heated in the preheat section (54) to remove volatile organic materials, fired in the intermediate portion (55) of the firing kiln (30), and then cooled in the cooling portion (56). The parts (100) are removed individually by an escapement mechanism (80) attached to the lower end of the spiral chute (46).

Abstract: The invention provides a conveyer for receiving bed drain material from a coal-burning fluid bed combuster and consists of a jacketed water cooled casing in which is a helical flight for conveying said material, the flight being mounted on an outer tube which is supported by a bearing at one end only in cantilever fashion with its other end within the closed end of the water cooled tube, an inner water cooling tube being located within the outer tube for water to circulate through the inner tube and back through the outer tube.

Abstract: A collar for fitting over the upper end of the cake discharge chute of a rotatable disc filter, or the like. The collar has a plurality of downwardly and inwardly sloping walls which substantially reduce any tendency for cake to stick to the sides of the chute. For use with heavy cake, reinforcing members may be provided for the collar. The collar is configured for use with discharge chutes of diverse design.

Abstract: Rotary drum type heat treatment apparatus having a rotary drum rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The drum has an outlet end and the apparatus includes a cooling section having a movable grate with one end disposed beneath the outlet end of the rotary drum for receiving material from the drum. The drum is provided at the outlet end with a plurality of circumferentially spaced distribution members, each of which has at least one side surface extending longitudinally outwardly beyond the outlet end and inclined with respect to a radial line of the drum for engagement with material being discharged through the outlet end to deflect the same.