Abstract: An apparatus is described for transporting particulate material. A housing includes a wall defining an inlet and a wall defining an outlet spaced downstream from the outlet. A duct is enclosed in the housing between the inlet and outlet, the duct being formed between first and second substantially opposed drive walls moveable relative to the housing from the inlet toward the outlet and at least one arcuate wall extending between the inlet and the outlet. The drive walls have a greater surface area for contacting the solid material than the arcuate walls. The drive walls rotate relative to an axis. An assembly is provided for positioning the second drive wall in the housing for rotation in a plane at an angle relative to the axis such that the distance between the first and second drive walls adjacent the inlet is greater than the distance downstream from the inlet when the drive walls are moving.

Abstract: An improved hopper includes a pair of opposed live walls and a pair of opposed fixed walls, wherein at least one live wall is moveable relative to at least one other wall. The hopper is suitable for controlling the flow of particulate material of the type which has a tendency to bridge during transportation. A device for imparting vibration is coupled to at least one of the live walls. The live walls are separated from the fixed walls by seams such that the live walls are free to move relative to the fixed walls. By the action of the vibration device, the live walls are moveable relative to each other and to the fixed walls to inhibit the formation of particle bridges and, thus, provide a significant improvement in the capability of controlling the flow of particulate material.

Abstract: A solids pump apparatus for transporting and metering particulate material including a transport channel having an inlet and an outlet. The transport channel is formed between substantially opposed faces of first and second rotary discs movable between the inlet and outlet towards the outlet and at least one arcuate wall extending between the inlet and outlet. The apparatus further includes an inlet extension and a device provided adjacent the inlet extension for improving the flow of the fine and powdery particulate solids within the apparatus.

Abstract: An improved solids pump apparatus for transporting and metering particulate material including a transport channel having an inlet and an outlet. The transport channel is formed between substantially opposed faces of first and second rotary disks movable between the inlet and outlet towards the outlet and at least one arcuate wall extending between the inlet and outlet. The apparatus further includes a device provided adjacent the inlet for preventing a dead area from being formed to thereby provide a constant and uniform flow of the particulate solids within the apparatus.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for transporting and metering particulate material including a transport duct having an inlet, an outlet, and at least one moving surface located therebetween having a downstream facing drive surface. The apparatus further includes drive device for moving the moving surface between the inlet and the outlet towards the outlet, and compacting the particulate material sufficiently to cause the formation of a bridge composed of substantially interlocking particulate spanning the width of the transport duct. The apparatus is used to transport and meter particulate material under ambient conditions and against pressure.

Abstract: A multiple-choke unit for transporting and metering particulate material under ambient conditions wherein the material is compacted to bridging and then disturbed as it is friction driven through a duct. The duct has two opposed walls moving between the inlet and outlet which have a surface area that is larger than the surface area of a stationary wall or walls which form the other part of the duct. The duct includes a plurality of chokes which bridge by compaction and disturb the material as it is friction-driven through the unit. The unit provides simultaneous transport and metering of particulate material. The unit is used to transport particulate material under atmospheric conditions.

Abstract: A multiple-choke unit for transporting and metering particulate material wherein the material is compacted to bridging, disturbed and then recompacted as it is friction driven through a duct. The duct has two opposed walls moving between the inlet and outlet which have a surface area that is larger than the surface area of a stationary wall or walls which from the other part of the duct. The duct includes a plurality of chokes which bridge by compaction, disturb and recompact the material as it is friction-driven through the unit. The unit provides simultaneous transport and metering of particulate material. The unit may be used to transport particulate material under atmospheric conditions or into a pressurized system.