Abstract: A device (20) for distribution of solid particles (22) for loading a vessel with solid particles, comprising a solid particles feed hopper (21), a rotating member and a drive member for driving in rotation said rotating member about a rotation axis, and a set of at least one deflector element (25, 25?, 25?) carried by said rotating member and erected, or adapted to be erected, on rotation of the shaft, relative to the rotation axis, in which device the feed hopper defines a set of at least one opening (29) conformed in an asymmetric manner relative to the rotation axis, defining at most one plane of symmetry passing through the rotation axis.

Abstract: A device for distribution of solid particles for loading a vessel with solid particles, comprising: a solid particle feed hopper, a rotating member and a drive member coupled to said rotating member to drive in rotation said rotating member, a set of at least one deflector element, each deflector element extending in its longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end, and being carried by said rotating member at its first end, where, at least one deflector element of said set is rigid and mounted to pivot on the rotating member at its first end, the device further comprises remotely actuatable deployment means adapted to drive at least one deflector element mounted to pivot on the rotating member so as to cause it to pivot from a position for introduction into the vessel to an erected, particle deviation position independent of the rotation speed of the rotating member.

Abstract: A device (20) for distribution of solid particles (22) for loading a vessel with solid particles, comprising a solid particles feed hopper (21), a rotating member and a drive member for driving in rotation said rotating member about a rotation axis, and a set of at least one deflector element (25, 25?, 25?) carried by said rotating member and erected, or adapted to be erected, on rotation of the shaft, relative to the rotation axis, in which device the feed hopper defines a set of at least one opening (29) conformed in an asymmetric manner relative to the rotation axis, defining at most one plane of symmetry passing through the rotation axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for loading ceramic spheres into a vertical reactor. The process comprises introducing into the reactor along a substantial height thereof a feeding pipe that is opened at its bottom part. According to the invention, no physical device or air-supplying conduit is present inside the inner section of the feeding pipe. The process allows for rapid, safe and efficient loading, without breakage of the particles.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for loading particulate material (7) into at least one narrow vertical container (1,1?) having an opening to the outside in its bottom part, which comprises inducing an upflow of air through said container, and loading said particulate material into the container from the upper part thereof in such a way that said particulate material falls downwardly counter currently to said upflow of air. According to the invention, no physical device or air-supplying conduit is present inside the inner section of the container (1,1?) to be filled when the particulate material is loaded, and said upflowing air is sourced from the bottom opening of the container and is induced by sucking air from the upper part of the container using a vacuum system. The invention allows for the precise control of the impact velocity of the particulate material (7) as it arrives in the bottom of the container (1, 1?).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for unloading a bed (2) of particulate material from a vessel (1), which comprises inserting a removable and portable extraction pipe (4) into the lower part of said bed, injecting a fluidization gas upwardly into the extraction pipe (4) from the bottom part thereof, along the entire length of the extraction pipe (4), and applying a positive pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet of said extraction pipe. The present invention further concerns a device suitable for implementing such a process.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for loading particulate material (7) into at least one narrow vertical container (1,1?) having an opening to the outside in its bottom part, which comprises inducing an upflow of air through said container, and loading said particulate material into the container from the upper part thereof in such a way that said particulate material falls downwardly counter currently to said upflow of air. According to the invention, no physical device or air-supplying conduit is present inside the inner section of the container (1,1?) to be filled when the particulate material is loaded, and said upflowing air is sourced from the bottom opening of the container and is induced by sucking air from the upper part of the container using a vacuum system.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for unloading a bed (2) of particulate material from a vessel (1), which comprises inserting a removable and portable extraction pipe (4) into the lower part of said bed, injecting a fluidization gas upwardly into the extraction pipe (4) from the bottom part thereof, along the entire length of the extraction pipe (4), and applying a positive pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet of said extraction pipe. The present invention further concerns a device suitable for implementing such a process.