Abstract: A method for feeding a dry pulverized solid material such as coal or limestone into a high pressure combustor is disclosed which employs a high pressure combustor is disclosed which employs a high pressure dry solids pump. The material is first pulverized and transported with air to a separator. The separated solids are temporarily accumulated and fed to one or more dry solids pump which continuously discharge the compact solids at high pressure into a gas mixing chamber. The compact solids are mixed with transport air as a dense phase for transport to the high pressure combustor.

Abstract: A corn furnace comprises a hopper for storing corn to be burned, and a combustion chamber in which corn is burned in a pot of fire to produce heat. An endless screw, supplying corn from the dispensing bottom of the hopper to the combustion chamber, comprises a lower proximate end for receiving corn from the hopper, a higher distal end for discharging corn in the combustion chamber through an inclined conduit, an elongate tubular member extending from the proximate to the distal end, and a generally helicoid blade rotatively mounted in the tubular member for conveying corn through that tubular member. The rotative helicoid blade is formed with a sharpened distal outer helical edge section. An air blower system supplies air to the distal end of endless screw to produce in the tubular member a flow of air in a direction opposite to the movement of the corn to remove from this corn dust and other impurities.

Abstract: A device for tearing-up and stoking straw into a burner unit. A reciprocating slide is provided under a magazine shaft for straw bales, the slide having mutually staggered teeth on its upper side in a forward part of the slide and elongated fins extending in the direction of movement of the slide in a rear part. The part closest to the stoking channel constitutes a piston means for the conveyance and compression of comminuted straw. The straw is torn-up during the initial advance movement of the slide towards the channel because the teeth are in engagement with the bottom of the lowermost bale, whereas the bale is upheld by the teeth and the fins during the return movement of the slide. The piston means ensures that the shredded straw is pushed into a stoking channel for the combustion chamber of a boiler. Very compressed straw bales are thereby very uniformly comminuted and compressed before being fed into a burner unit.

Abstract: A waste product feeder in which when waste products are charged through a hopper into a trough are transported by a screw and then discharged, they are successively scraped by a scraper in a predetermined quantity or volume.

Abstract: A fuel stoker for removable attachment to the access port of a solid fuel furnace has a bin for receiving fuel such as coal and a chamber carrying a piston, located at the bottom of the bin, for periodically throwing a charge of coal on top of a fire. A spring-loaded bar, pivotable by one end on the bin, is connected to the piston via a linkage, and spring-biased to advance the piston towards the fire. A spiral cam having a sudden drop-off is intermittently rotated one revolution by a motor to retract the piston and allow fuel to drop into the chamber. At the drop-off, the piston is suddenly advanced to throw the fuel onto the fire. The drive shaft also operates an agitating poker and a grate shaker during the fuel loading phase of operation.