Abstract: The invention relates to a method for distributing powder by means of a main conveyor (3) between a feed zone (1) and a plurality of receiver units (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5) arranged along said main conveyor, said method including: (a) filling the conveyor as far as a downstream receiver unit, (b) isolating the feed zone, and (c) conveying the powder from at least one portion of the main conveyor to at least one receiver unit. The invention also concerns a device for implementing the distribution method and an installation for the production of aluminum by igneous electrolysis including said means for feeding a series of cell feed hoppers in said installation.

Abstract: The process involves pouring a smothering powder onto a spent anode placed on a support to cover it, with the aim of limiting fluorinated gas emission by the anode. The support may include a temporary tank, pre-filled with powder and provided with an opening for discharging the powder towards the anode on the support.

Abstract: A process for transporting a powder material, in which a device is fitted between a supply zone and a zone to be supplied, the device including at least one substantially horizontal conveyor which includes a lower duct and an upper duct being separated by a porous wall, the upper duct provided with a balancing column. The upper duct is filled with powder material and the lower duct is supplied with gas at a pressure that allows the potential fluidization of the powder material in the upper duct. The minimal bubbling speed, which corresponds to the maximum void fraction, is determined and the fluidization pressure is set to a value such that the fluidization speed of the gas is between 0.8 and 1.5 times the minimal bubbling speed, preferably between 0.9 and 1.3 times the minimal bubbling speed.

Abstract: The process involves pouring a smothering powder onto a spent anode placed on a support to cover it, with the aim of limiting fluorinated gas emission by the anode. The support may include a temporary tank, pre-filled with powder and provided with an opening for discharging the powder towards the anode on the support.

Abstract: A process making it possible to transport by potential fluidization, a powder material, in which a device is fitted between the supply zone, typically a storage zone for said powder material, and the zone to be supplied, said device including at least one substantially horizontal conveyor, called an “air chute”, which includes a lower duct designed for the circulation of a gas and an upper duct designed for the circulation of the powder material, said lower duct and said upper duct being separated by a porous wall that said gas can pass through, a process in which the upper duct is filled with said powder material and the lower duct is supplied with gas at a pressure that allows the potential fluidization of said powder material in said upper duct said upper duct being provided with at least one balancing column.

Abstract: Method for conveying a pulverulent material making it possible to divide said pulverulent material, from a single storage capacity (10), between several conveyors (50) with a controlled flow rate in each of said conveyors, characterized in that said storage capacity is linked to said conveyors by at least one aero-pipe (30) and in that a hyperdense fluidized meter (40), is connected to said aero-pipe, said hyperdense fluidized meter being intended to feed each of the conveyors.

Abstract: Method for conveying a pulverulent material making it possible to divide said pulverulent material, from a single storage capacity (10), between several conveyors (50) with a controlled flow rate in each of said conveyors, characterised in that said storage capacity is linked to said conveyors by at least one aero-pipe (30) such as described in WO84 01560 and WO85 04676, and in that a hyperdense fluidised meter (40), such as the device described in EP 0 190 092, is connected to said aero-pipe, said hyperdense fluidised meter being intended to feed each of the conveyors.

Abstract: Process for conveyance of a powder material in a hyperdense bed to bypass an obstacle, in which an obstacle bypass device including at least upstream, intermediate and downstream caissons is inserted between two horizontal conveyors, an upstream conveyor, and the downstream conveyor. At a device entry, at the upstream caisson lower duct is supplied with gas at pressure P1, the upstream caisson further including an upper duct which is a column. The intermediate caisson is between the upstream caisson and the downstream caisson at a level that bypasses the obstacle, a lower duct of which is fed with gas at pressure P3 and an upper duct of which is connected to the upper duct of the upstream caisson and to an upper duct of the downstream caisson. At a device outlet, at the downstream caisson, a lower duct is supplied with gas at pressure P2. The three caissons remain full of powder material kept in a potential fluidization state at all times, with a pressure difference P1−P2 being kept strictly positive.

Abstract: Process for conveyance of a powder material (12) in a potential fluidization hyperdense bed using a device comprising at least one air pipe (3) comprising a lower duct (5) for circulation of a fluidization gas (G), an upper duct (7) for circulation of the powder material (12), the two ducts being separated by a porous wall (6), at least one pipe (8) supplying gas (G) and a balancing column (4, 4.2) in which the filling height (h) balances the potential fluidization pressure (pf), characterized in that a bubble (B1, B2) of pressurized gas is created in the upper duct (7) in the air pipe (3). This bubble is reliably located in the upper part (14) of the upper duct (7) of the said air pipe (3). Device to implement this process and to regulate the pressure of the gas bubble.