Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for establishing and maintaining a uniform mass flow rate of particulate solids and gas mixture from a container to a receiving reactor. A preferred embodiment utilizes an aeration tube suspended in the particulate mixture and serving as a fluidic valve to maintain a uniform mass flow rate. A portion of the aeration gaseous fluid may be directed upward in aid of such flow.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for establishing and maintaining a uniform mass flow rate of particulate solids and gas mixture from a container to a receiving reactor. A preferred embodiment utilizes a plurality of porous inserts in the walls of the container through which a gaseous fluid is forced thereby contacting particulate solids within said container and enhancing the flow of said solids.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the separation of solids from a mixture of solids and fluid, comprising a housing defining a plurality of separation chambers, each chamber being arranged around a central longitudinal axes and having a curved inner wall such that the intersection of the inner wall and a plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axes is a concave line, whereby all central longitudinal axes are in one plane, and each chamber having an inlet opening, a solids outlet opening and at least one fluid outlet opening, whereby each fluid outlet opening is in communication with a fluid outlet conduit, and whereby the solids outlet opening of each chamber is in communication with a solids outlet conduit which is in tangential cooperation with the chamber, which apparatus further comprises one supply conduit for the mixture of fluid and solids whereby the supply conduit debouches into a supply opening that is formed by the combined inlet openings of all chambers which openings are communicating with ea

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for equalizing the flow rate of a combustible, particulate solids, such as coal, and gas mixture discharged from a feed vessel apparatus in a uniform manner to a pressurized receiving reactor, such as a gasifier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removal of fine particulate fly ash at high temperature and pressures using a bag filter which produces a clean gas stream that is recycled to compressors or power recovery turbines and a concentrated syngas stream blowdown from which additional solids are subsequently removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling moisture content of a solid, such as pulverized coal, conveyed to a reactor, such as a gasifier, by controlling the temperature of a gas injected into a pulverizer or dryer based on the moisture content control of the coal transported to the gasifier.

Abstract: A method for the supply of hot solid particles, preferably hot spent substrate particles, to a retorting vessel for the extraction of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-containing substrate according to which hot solid particles are supplied to a slide situated at an angle to the horizontal plane, fluidization gas is supplied to the fluidization means of the slide, which fluidization gas is passed through the fluidization means causing fluidization of the hot solid particles on the slide and displacement of the hot fluidized particles alone the slide, at least one draw-off vessel is situated between the slide and retorting vessel which is filled with hot fluidized particles from the slide, and fluidization gas is passed through fluidization means of each filled draw-off vessel causing the hot solid particles therein to flow into a respective inlet of the retorting vessel.