Abstract: A blending bin for particulate having a plurality of vertically extending passageways is provided. Each passageway includes multiple vertically spaced ports. Blending vanes are provided within each passageway to control the proportion of material withdrawn from the bin through the ports. The streams of material are in turn proportionally combined into a single outlet stream. The ports are spaced such that lots of material loaded into the bin will be blended together in the outlet stream and such that thin layers of off-grade or non-uniform material will not reach disproportionate levels in the outlet stream.

Abstract: Solid particulate material is moved through a hopper bottom bin in mass flow inducted by a conical surface positioned within the hopper to compensate for the shallowness thereof. Laminar mass flow movement will occur in the uppermost region of the material within the vertical bin walls. The hopper cross-section is separated into segregated flow channels by the conical surface, and by webs extending therefrom. The conical surface and webs have overall dimensions small enough for insertion through a bolt ring on the bottom of the hopper. The proportion of the material flowing through each channel is chosen to achieve a desired discharge flow pattern by varying the relative cross-sectional areas of either the inlets or the outlets of the channels. This results in changes in the velocity profile of the downwardly flowing material in a zone above and adjacent to the separate flow channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the capacity of paddle screw mixer conveyors based on creating a dam of mixed particulate material and another substance at the outlet end of the mixer. A second embodiment uses two counter rotating shafts of paddles to increase mixing efficiency. Methods of grain treatment utilizing the mixer are illustrated.

Abstract: The stream throttle includes a movable closure member having an inclined upstream surface and a parabolic downstream surface, an orifice which is throttled by the downstream surface, and an inclined entry surface extending upstream from the orifice in spaced relation to the downstream surface. The entry and downstream surfaces provide a flow control zone which terminates adjacent the orifice. These surfaces, together with the upstream surface, maintain material flow toward and through the control zone uniform, with minimum velocity gradients. The parabolic downstream surface outline causes orifice area and hence flow capacity to vary on a linear basis during movement of the closure member with respect to the orifice. In another disclosed embodiment, the upstream surface is formed by a stationary diverter member within which the closure member is insertable for stop-start flow control.

Abstract: The system includes a plurality of material discharge spouts combined with a blending device for use with a hoppered bin. Each spout opens to the hopper at a location selected to draw material into the hopper from substantially one predetermined portion of a horizontal bin cross sectional plane in a first in -- first out segregation free manner. The blending device combines the material discharge streams formed by the spouts in proportion to the areas of the portions of the horizontal bin cross sectional plane from which they are drawn, respectively, to form a common discharge stream of uniform composition. The principles of the invention are applicable to conversion of existing bins or bin bottoms, or to a bin withdrawal system or process. Also disclosed is a blending unit which includes a mass flow hopper, the blending unit being particularly suited for bin or bin bottom conversion application.