Abstract: Apparatus and method for feeding particulate material from a hopper into a process stream at a controlled flow rate. A rotating wheel with spaced apart pockets is vibrated to densify the particulate material in the pockets. A stator contacts and covers a portion of the upper surface of the wheel and has a transfer station connected to discharge particular into the process stream. The wheel is driven in rotation at a controlled rate to control the particulate flow rate into the process stream. A conveying gas supply projects a jet of gas into the pockets for removing the particulate material and conveying it into the process stream. An aerating gas supply directs an upward flow of gas from the periphery of the wheel, through the particulate material being supplied to the wheel to fluidize the particulate material supplied to the wheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for combusting a dirty and/or difficult to burn fuel in a fluidized bed combustor. The fluidized bed and freeboard zone of the combustor are cooled by a non-intrusive counterflow cooling system which controls combustion temperatures and produces a clean, hot gas. The combustor is operated with many combinations of features including: low, in bed fuel injection; use of finely divided fuel; slug flow fluidization; and injection of lime or limestone to effect desulferization or raise the ash melting temperature, if desired.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for combusting a dirty and/or difficult to burn fuel in a fluidized bed combustor. The fluidized bed and freeboard zone of the combustor are cooled by a non-intrusive counterflow cooling system which controls combustion temperatures and produces a clean, hot gas. The combustor is operated with many combinations of features including: low, in bed fuel injection; use of finely divided fuel; slug flow fluidization; and injection of lime or limestone to effect desulferization or raise the ash melting temperature, if desired.

Abstract: System, method and apparatus for carrying out the shedding of electrical loads on a predetermined priority basis. A sensor network (32) detects a demand load at a power input (10) and develops a signal representative thereof. This signal is introduced to a series of controllers (36-39) along with a signal from an allowable load control circuit (48) which represents a predetermined maximum allowable load value. The controllers respond when the demand load is higher than the allowable load, a priority delay network (108) in each having a time-out interval corresponding with the relative priority basis assigned each load. Simultaneously, with the shedding of a load at the termination of the priority delay, a fictitious load feedback signal (102) is summed (96) with the demand load signal of the sensor. A reset control (90) responds in conjunction with a predetermined review interval timing function (144) to re-evaluate the priorities of shed loads in the event of a drop in demand load.