Abstract: A pressurized tank is provided in which no air flows back from a piping for conveying powder to the pressurized tank. A pressurized tank (A) is used for a device (B) for intermittently feeding a predetermined amount of powder to a piping (7) for conveying the powder when the powder is conveyed in a plug flow through the piping (7) by means of compressed air.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for pneumatically conveying granular plastic resin material out of a resin supply to a process machine includes a vacuum pump, a conduit connecting the resin supply to a suction intake of the vacuum pump, a sensor for sensing vacuum level drawn by the pump at the suction inlet and a valve for supplying air to the conduit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transporting foamed thermoplastic polymer particles (3) from a container (5, 9) through at least one pipe (7,9), wherein, for transporting the foamed thermoplastic polymer particles (3), a gas stream is applied through the pipe (7, 11). The foamed thermoplastic polymer particles (3) are wetted with a water comprising lubricant.

Abstract: A gravity-fed housing for use in a gasification system is disclosed. The gravity-fed housing has a receiving end panel that forms a receive opening in a first plane. The receive opening is configured to receive a first plurality of heat carriers via gravity. The gravity-fed housing includes a siding connected to the receiving end panel. The siding forms a chamber and a discharge opening in a second plane that is parallel to the first plane. The discharge opening is offset with respect to the receive opening such that a line perpendicular to the receiving end panel that extends through a center point of the receive opening does not intersect a center point of the second opening. The siding includes a first panel that comprises a guiding surface that intersects the line and is angled toward the discharge opening.

Abstract: An air cart has a drop chute for conveying an agricultural product such as seed, from a metering device to a venturi portion of a product conveyance tube. The drop chute has a contoured downstream sidewall resulting in changes in drop chute width which introduce vortices providing an enhanced product flow. The downstream sidewall has an inward sloping region reducing the drop chute width beginning closely adjacent the metering device and continuing down about one-third the way from the metering device to the conveyance tube, and an abrupt corner causing an increase in drop chute width near the product conveyance tube followed by a curved region creating a gradual further increase in width terminating adjacent to the product delivery tube. A large low speed vortex is created near the inward sloping region and a small strong vortex is created adjacent the curved region.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport device (1a, 1b) for transporting a pneumatically transportable material (M) in a pneumatic system (10) by means of air for transporting the pneumatic transportable material (M) between a first pneumatic system portion (11) and a second pneumatic system portion (12), the pneumatic system portions (11, 12) including a plurality of pneumatic tubes (13) forming a continuous pneumatic transport path (CL), the device (1a, 1b) including an air source (2a, 2b), typically a vacuum source (2a), pneumatically connected to one of the first or second pneumatic system portions (11, 12) operative to provide air pressure or vacuum through the continuous pneumatic transport path (CL), and a controller (4a, 4b) configured to control the speed of the vacuum source (2a) and/or a mass-flow, respectively, of the material (M) in dependence of input from a monitoring line (3) adapted to monitor the pneumatic transport path (CL) to provide essentially constant speed of transport the pneumatically transportable m

Abstract: Provided herein is a system and method for alleviating gridlock in a pneumatic tube system. In various instances where inter-zone transactions conflict, one of the transactions is removed from a conflicting set and temporarily delivered to an alternate location in the system. This allows other blocked transactions to proceed. Once the gridlock condition is alleviated, the temporarily delivered carrier is retrieved and rerouted to its intended destination.

Abstract: An integrated control system for use with an engine connected to a generator providing electrical power to a switchgear is disclosed. The engine receives gas produced by a gasifier. The control system includes an electronic controller associated with the gasifier, engine, generator, and switchgear. A gas flow sensor monitors a gas flow from the gasifier to the engine through an engine gas control valve and provides a gas flow signal to the electronic controller. A gas oversupply sensor monitors a gas oversupply from the gasifier and provides an oversupply signal indicative of gas not provided to the engine. A power output sensor monitors a power output of the switchgear and provide a power output signal. The electronic controller changes gas production of the gasifier and the power output rating of the switchgear based on the gas flow signal, the oversupply signal, and the power output signal.

Abstract: A pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided. A pump control feature is provided for air flow rate control during positive and negative pressure conditions.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for transferring slurry, which is used to transfer minerals from the bottom of the sea to the ground; and, more particularly, to an apparatus for transferring slurry, which can efficiently transfer the slurry in the state of a solid-liquid mixture containing the minerals without clogging of a transfer pipe.

Abstract: A pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided. A pump control feature is provided for air flow rate control during positive and negative pressure conditions.

Abstract: A pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided. A pump control feature is provided for air flow rate control during positive and negative pressure conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for vacuum conveying bulk material in a vacuum conveying system (1) which comprises: a plurality of tubes (2-6) for conveying bulk material, at least some of said tubes having flexible walls (71), a vacuum blower (10) disposed at a first end of said vacuum conveying system (1) for generating a conveying gas flow within said vacuum conveying system (1), a bulk material discharging section (22, 23) for discharging bulk material into said vacuum conveying system (1), and a bulk material receiving section (8, 9) communicating with said vacuum blower (10), for receiving bulk material conveyed by said gas flow from said bulk material discharging section (22, 23).

Abstract: A powder injection method and a powder injection microchip, the powder injection microchip comprising: a gas supply inlet (6) for supplying gas; an outlet (8); a channel (4) in fluid connection with the gas supply inlet and the outlet; a powder inlet (12) in fluid connection with the channel, for receiving a first, open end of a powder reservoir (14), the powder reservoir having an opening (22) at or near to a second end of the powder reservoir to allow egress of gas from the powder reservoir at a point distal to the first end of the powder reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting solid waste drill cuttings material produced in the drilling of an oil or gas well, the apparatus including: a waste supply apparatus; a feeder to transport the material; a pneumatic conveying apparatus to which the material is transferred from the feeder; at least one blockage sensing device in the conveyor; and a control apparatus for controlling feed rate of the feeder.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the pneumatic conveying of fine bulk material, in particular glass fibers.

Abstract: In a system for pneumatically conveying a bulk particulate material including a first conduit formed of a gas permeable material, a second conduit formed of an impermeable material encompassing and spaced from the first conduit, a plurality of partition walls disposed between said conduits and spaced along the lengths thereof providing a plurality of plenums, means connectable to a first source of gas under pressure for injecting a gas under pressure into said first conduit to impel material deposited therein and second means connectable to a second source of gas under pressure for supplying gas under pressure into said plenums to fluidize material flowing through the first conduit, a system for declogging the second conduit consisting of means connected to a source of gas under pressure operable for selectively supplying the plenums with bursts of gas under pressure for dislodging material deposited in said apertures of the first conduit.

Abstract: A mail delivery system includes a housing having a bottom wall, an upper wall, and a peripheral wall. An elongate tubular member has a first end attached to an opening in the peripheral wall. The second end extends into a dwelling. The elongate tubular member has a central section, which includes tubular components that are removably coupled together. Each of a plurality of handles is attached to one of the components. A suction assembly is fluidly coupled to the elongate tubular member. A control device is for selectively turning the suction assembly on in a forward direction or reverse direction. A container for holding articles is positioned in the elongate tubular member. The container is movable through the elongate tubular member.

Abstract: The air conveyor comprises a guide rail (3) on which the articles (1) are to be suspended, and along which the articles are to be transported in a given direction of transport. The conveyor system provides a pneumatic means to move the articles in the direction of transport and further includes additional pneumatic means (10) that are designed to generate, when operated, a plurality of reverse air jets orientated onto the articles in a direction opposite that of their direction of transport. The user of the reverse jets makes it possible, in particular, to free without manual intervention articles accidentally immobilised in the course of transport, or, to slow down, immobilise or impart a rhythm to the articles as they are transported.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and plant for the pneumatic transportation of solid particles in the form of a diluted phase through a conduit (1), with which the transport air in said conduit is given a velocity which is at most equal to the air velocity chosen for a maximum particle load level. The free flow from the pressurized air source (3) is regulated on the basis of measured air velocity or on the basis of a state corresponding thereto, such as air pressure in the conduit, and an established relationship between the free flow and the said measured velocity of the air or a state (pressure) corresponding thereto, essentially independently of the particle load. There is thus maintained in the conduit a preferably constant transport air velocity with all different occurring levels of particle load.

Abstract: In a gas flow-using powdery and granular material fluidization transporting method and apparatus using airflow, an apparatus is provided to feed out powdery and granular material into a transporting tube provided for pneumatically transporting the powdery and granular material. The feeding out apparatus includes intracontainer-pressure means (23a, 23b) for detecting the pressure in a storage container, intra-transporting tube-pressure detecting means (25a, 25b), and pressurized-gas regulating means (17a). In addition, a plurality of discharging ports is provided, and transporting tubes are individually connected with the discharging ports. The discharging ports and transporting tubes are selectively used to pneumatically transfer the powdery and granular material. Moreover, steps of detecting a clogging and taking countermeasures against it are provided. In a blowing method, a high-temperature gas is used, and the amount of a carrier gas is regulated.

Abstract: A bulk material conveying system for use with a bulk material holding tank having at least one outlet. The conveying system includes a main supply line for carrying pressurized gas and a material conveying line having an inlet and an outlet. The material conveying line is in communication with the holding tank outlet for transporting the bulk material from the holding tank to the conveying line outlet. The inlet of the material conveying line is in communication with the main supply line for receiving the pressurized gas whereby the gas moves the bulk material in the conveying line towards the conveying line outlet. The system further includes an aerator line having an inlet and an outlet and at least one connector for feeding the pressurized gas into the bulk material holding tank to agitate the bulk material and push it towards the holding tank outlet and a pressure sensor for sensing when the pressure in the material conveying line exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A vacuum sewer system comprises a normally closed sewer valve connected between the outlet opening of a waste receiving unit to be emptied and a sewer pipe, and an ejector. The ejector is an integrated part of the sewer pipe. The sewer pipe includes one portion forming a suction pipe of the ejector and another portion forming a discharge pipe of the ejector.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting filter rod sections between the outlet of a magazine and the inlet of a pneumatic conveyor has a rotary drum with axially parallel peripheral flutes for the transfer of filter rod sections from the magazine into alignment with the inlet of the pneumatic conveyor. A pneumatic ejector is used to propel filter rod sections from successive flutes into the inlet of the pneumatic conveyor. The drum is discontinuously driven by an electric motor which accelerates the drum subsequent to each ejection of a filter rod section into the inlet of the pneumatic conveyor and at least decelerates the drum prior to movement of a flute into register with the inlet of the pneumatic conveyor and/or during ejection of filter rod sections from successive flutes.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying filter rod sections from storage or from a maker to a reservoir or to a filter tipping machine for cigarettes or other rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry has a first conveyor which advances the filter rod sections lengthwise, a second conveyor which advances the sections sideways, and a unit which transfers successive sections of a series of sections delivered by the first conveyor to the second conveyor. The advancement of sections by the first conveyor is interrupted if the spacing between successive sections in the first conveyor is less than required for disturbance-free transfer of sections from the first conveyor into the second conveyor. One or more sensors are provided to minitor the movements of sections at the transfer unit and to generate signals which are utilized to remove sections from the transfer unit when the pattern of movement of sections from the first conveyor to the second conveyor departs from a desired pattern.

Abstract: Filter rod sections are transported sideways from a magazine containing a pile of parallel sections toward positions of alignment with the inlet of a pneumatic conveyor and are propelled into the conveyor at a transfer station where they continue to move sideways. In order to avoid damage to sections during propulsion into the conveyor, the duration of complete transfer of successive sections into the inlet is monitored in order to generate signals denoting the intervals of axial advancement of successive sections all the way into the conveyor. Such signals are compared with signals denoting those intervals of sidewise movement of sections past the transfer station during which the sections can move axially without being damaged by the stationary inlet of the conveyor.

Abstract: A pneumatic material transporter includes a material hopper (2), a screw conveyor (3) to transport the material (supplied from the hopper) from the rear portion to a front portion of the screw conveyor, a pressure chamber portion (5) to receive the materials from the screw conveyor and to press the materials down while adding a limited amount of water, a horizontal mixer (6) adapted to mix the material supplied from the pressure chamber portion with pressurized air, and then push the mixture to a material transporting conduit portion (8) connected to the mixer through a check valve portion, so that the material transporting conduit portion transports the materials to a yard.

Abstract: An apparatus for pneumatically conveying powered or granular material in a tubular conveyer using air assists for material conveying. The gas is supplied to the air assists from a connecting conduit having compressed gas at high plant pressure. The air assists operate in response to a sensed back pressure created in the conveying conduit up stream from the air assist.

Abstract: A pneumatic filter transport system has a gate (18) in a section of conveying duct (2), which gate and is openable in response to signals indicating a filter rod jam in a receiver unit (15) connected to the duct. Once opened, the gate allows remaining filters in the duct to be directed to a dump (30): this reduces the risk of a receiver jam developing into a line jam (which is more difficult to clear). The gate may be provided in a curved section of duct just upstream of the receiver. The duct may incorporate a longitudinally-extending partition (60), which allows removal from the duct of loose material (e.g., carbon granules) which has become separated from the conveyed filters. The duct may have longitudinal slots (68) which allow conveying air to exhaust from the duct upstream of the receiver.

Abstract: A continuous dense phase conveying method and apparatus, for conveying large quantities of dry bulk material through a material conveying pipe, feed particulate material into the conveying pipe and supply a quantity of low pressure gas into the pipe to force particulate material to move therealong. A gas pressure within the conveying pipe is monitored. When this monitored pressure reaches a predetermined gas pressure level, a quantity of high pressure gas is supplied to the conveying pipe to force the particulate material to move continuously therealong.

Abstract: In a method of controlling the infeed of air from an auxiliary conduit of a pneumatic conveyor installation into a tubular conveyor conduit into which compressed gas is introduced from a connecting conduit and the latter, upon a rise in pressure occurring upstream of the mouth thereof in the conveyor direction, in the conveyor conduit, is opened with a supply of air from an auxiliary conduit at high pressure, said supply of air into the conveyor conduit is interrupted in the event of pressure equalisation building up therein, by a control member which opens and closes the connecting conduit and which is guided in a path of movement which can be acted upon by at least one secondary flow of the auxiliary conduit, and a closing force is applied in a pulse-wise fashion to the control member.

Abstract: A system for delivering a particulate material has a closed storage hopper for the material, the hopper having a bottom hopper outlet and a check valve connected to a top portion of the chamber for venting positive pressure from the chamber; a venturi eductor having a material inlet for feeding the material, an eductor outlet, and a gas inlet; a gas feed valve, the gas feed valve being openable in response to a feed signal for activating the eductor; a hopper passage connecting the hopper outlet to the eductor material inlet; a hopper outlet valve for closing the hopper outlet in response to a hopper signal; a stir valve for pressurizing the hopper passage in response to a stir signal for agitating the material in the hopper; and a pressure sensor for momentarily activating the stir signal in response to an absence of the material at the material inlet, the system being operative in a transporting mode wherein the hopper valve is open, the feed valve is open, and the stir valve is closed; a stirring mode wher

Abstract: A sanitary waste collection system and a method therefor which enable the free disposal of waste at various places in a building, and saves labor required for carrying and collecting the waste. The waste collection system includes charge ports provided at every floor of the building into which are thrown waste stored in waste containers of a certain configuration, vertical transport tubes connected to each floor of the building as well as charge ports, horizontal transport tubes connected to the lower ends of the vertical transport tubes and extending to a waste accumulation area, and an air blowing mechanism for force-feeding air in the horizontal transport tubes, with the diameters of the vertical and horizontal transport tubes and being a little larger than the outer diameter of the waste container in section.

Abstract: An apparatus for pneumatically conveying bulk material includes a conveyor line for transporting the bulk material and a secondary line which carries clean gas and is sectionized by spaced three-way/two-way directional control valves. Each control valve is actuated by a pressure transmitter which compares the actual pressure in the conveyor line with the desired pressure in a third line carrying a fluid at a desired pressure decreasing in downstream direction in accordance with the pressure drop in the conveyor line during normal operation. A communication between the conveyor line and the second line is provided by respective branch lines which define the third connection of the control valves and are multiply connected to the conveyor line.

Abstract: An apparatus for pneumatically conveying bulk material includes a conveyor line for transporting the bulk material and a secondary line which carries clean gas and is multiply connected via branch line and a plurality of check valves with the conveyor line for allowing introduction of clean gas when the pressure difference as measured between adjacent pressure transmitters exceeds a predetermined value. Adjacent pressure transmitters are operatively connected with a differential pressure switch which actuates a valve regulating the flow of clean gas through the branch line. The differential pressure switch opens the valve as soon as the pressure difference exceeds the predetermined value.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for pneumatic or hydraulic transport of bulk material in a conveying direction through a pipeline by means of over or underpressure, in which components are provided for monitoring the pressure prevailing at a plurality of successive points along the pipeline, providing a plurality of sources of a pure gas or liquid each at a pressure corresponding to the pressure prevailing at an associated point along the pipeline, and supplying the pure gas or liquid from each source to the point along the pipeline which succeeds, in the conveying direction, the associated point for that source, while preventing any fluid flow from the pipeline to each source.

Abstract: A slurry transport system including a pipeline switching device mounted in pipelines so that when any abnormal condition exists in the slurry transport pipeline, the transport medium return pipeline can be used for transporting a slurry while using the slurry transport pipeline for returning transport medium to the point of origin.

Abstract: A method of unblocking conveying pipes (3) for particulate material comprises feeding air to the pipe at spaced apart positions therealong in order to reduce the length of the blocking material. The air is injected into the pipe at positions which are preferably spaced apart by a distance less than the critical particulate material plug length to conveying pipe diameter ratio that will result in a pipe blockage that cannot be moved by application of pressure applied to one end of the particulate material plug. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: A device for cleaning blockages of a pneumatic tube for carrying seeds or similar particulate matter comprising a sensing device adapted to sense the blockage, a gate in the tube adapted to be opened in response to the sensor and a pneumatic device to blow the seed or other matter out of the tube. A time delay relay may be used to prevent unwarranted recycling of the gate opening and pneumatic devices.