Abstract: A fluid control system in pneumatic conveying ducts of powdered or granular material, comprising: a supply source of a pressurized gas for transporting said powdered or granular material; an injection line of said gas to put said source in fluid communication with a conveying duct inside which the material is conveyed; a self-regulating pressure valve arranged on the injection line between the source and said duct; a control member of the self-regulating valve to provide a control signal to said valve representing a pressure value, said valve maintaining the gas flow supplied in said duct constant; and a flow and flow rate meter, arranged on the injection line upstream of the valve to transmit a flow and flow rate value to said control member.

Abstract: A material handling system includes a chassis, a conveyor system supported by the chassis, a pneumatic conveying system supported by the chassis and a storage container supported by the chassis. The conveyor system is configured to convey a granular material from a material unloading station to an inlet of the storage container. Multiple pods are beneath the storage container. Each pod is connected to the storage container by a corresponding pod fill line. A pneumatic conveying line is beneath the pods. The pneumatic conveying line is connected to each of the pods. Each pod has a full level sensor configured to sense when the pod is full or close to full, and an empty level sensor configured to sense when the pod is empty or close to empty.

Abstract: A powder feeder for a cold spray system includes a rotatable drum body, a housing surrounding the drum body, and a support structure. The support structure couples to the housing and supports the housing such that the drum body rotates about a rotation axis to provide in-situ blending of powder disposed within an interior of the drum body.

Abstract: Systems for loading catalyst and/or additives into a fluidized catalytic cracking unit are disclosed. Methods of making and using the systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pressure tank having a simple structure to intermittently feed powder to a conveying pipe, and a method for determining the intervals for feeding the powder to the conveying pipe. The pressure tank includes a tank body used as a structure of a pressure vessel having a receiving port at its upper portion and a discharging port at its lower portion, a first check valve disposed just under the receiving port so that it can freely move up and down, and so that it can close the receiving port by its upward movement that is caused by means of compressed air, and a second check valve disposed just under the discharging port so that it can freely move up and down, and so that it can close the discharging port by its upward movement that is caused by means of compressed air.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a system for loading catalyst and/or additives into a fluidized catalytic cracking unit includes a bin for storing at least one of the catalyst and/or additives, and a loading unit in fluid communication with the storage bin and the fluidized catalytic cracking unit on a selective basis. The loading unit is capable of being evacuated so that a resulting vacuum within the loading unit draws the catalyst and/or additive from the bin. The loading unit is also capable of being pressurized so that the catalyst and/or additive is transferred from the loading unit to the fluidized catalytic cracking unit.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a system for loading catalyst and/or additives into a fluidized catalytic cracking unit includes a bin for storing at least one of the catalyst and/or additives, and a loading unit in fluid communication with the storage bin and the fluidized catalytic cracking unit on a selective basis. The loading unit is capable of being evacuated so that a resulting vacuum within the loading unit draws the catalyst and/or additive from the bin. The loading unit is also capable of being pressurized so that the catalyst and/or additive is transferred from the loading unit to the fluidized catalytic cracking unit.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint includes a stud having a shank connected to a ball stud, which is received in a ball stud housing. A one piece bearing shell is provided having a generally spherically shaped hollow body with an inner surface to matingly engage the ball stud and an outer surface for contacting the stud housing. Moreover, the outer bearing shell surface includes a first spherical portion having a first radius and first center and a second spherical portion having a second radius and second center. The first and second centers are axially offset relative to each other to create a converging sphere design that permits a low profile design. The converging sphere design also permits more effective compression pre-loading on the bearing sleeve as compared to a single spherical outer surface.

Abstract: A fast cycle system for transport of particulate material in dense phase has a feeder assembly dispensing material into a pulse pod assembly. The latter is connected to a pressurized pipeline and the pod of material is sent into the pipeline upon receipt of a pressure drop signal. Boosters spaced along the pipeline selectively vent and pressurize the pipeline driving the pod through to a receiver. The system including a receiving hopper and discharge valve in the receiving hopper for imparting, when actuated, peristaltic motion to the particulate material moving in the pipeline.

Abstract: A system for supplying blasting media to a media blasting system in which a pair of pressure pots or pressure chambers are provided in which the blasting media is introduced for dispensing the media to conduits leading to blasting guns. The media supply valves and air supply valves are controlled by a cam shaft assembly. Further, a metering hopper having a media supply valve is provided between the storage hopper and upper pressure pot or chamber. The media and air valves are operated in timed sequence as determined by the cam shaft assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus having a charging lock chamber which can be alternately closed off with respect to a supply container by a movable closure head and an annular sealing edge in opposite relationship thereto as a seat therefor, on the one hand, and from a pneumatic conveyor conduit by a flap, on the other hand, for charging a feed of particles of bulk material into the conveyor conduit, is to require inter alia only one conveyor vessel for the virtually continuous conveying of bulk material, is not to require a metering device disposed at an upstream location, and is also to be suitable for conveying pressures of around 6 bars. That is achieved in that associated with the sealing edge is at least one annular feed duct for a curtain of air which is directed towards the closure head, and that the flap which is pivoted at one end has a force storage device engaging beneath it and in its closure position bears against the substantially horizontal edge of a mouth opening (18) of the charging lock chamber.

Abstract: A method and a device for the uniform distribution of a bulk materials stream, particularly one conveyed pneumatically, onto a more extended cross-sectional area possibly divided up into partial stream cross-sections by partitions, is distinguished by the bulk materials stream passing through an elongate vertical charging space, at the end of which it is gathered into a narrowing outlet channel in which the bulk material shows an essentially uniform cross-section distribution and that this bulk materials stream then passes to the tip of a coaxially arranged distribution cone which deflects the bulk material sideways uniformly in all directions and in this way forms a hollow bulk materials curtain of uniform circumferential distribution. This bulk materials curtain can be used as such, for instance in a vessel in which the bulk material is sprayed with liquid, or can be used for the further subdivision into partial streams.

Abstract: A twin outlet feed distributor for collecting ores and slurries and distributing them for further handling and distribution consisting of a single upper chamber, at least two lower chambers immediately below the upper chamber, a valve between the upper chamber, and each of the lower chambers, a pump associated with each of the lower chambers for removing ore and slurry from the lower chambers, a vent pipe from each of the lower chambers, the upper end of each of the vent pipes being directed into the upper chamber, and a high pressure water inlet into each lower chamber for flushing slurry and ore selectively from the lower chambers through the vent pipe into the upper chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing welding flux involving a flux supply and dispensing system comprising a tank assembly that includes an upper flux receiving chamber, a lower flux dispensing chamber, and a flux transfer chamber intermediate the upper and lower chambers. Flux is supplied to the flux receiving chamber either by a vacuum pick up arrangement or a suitable gravity or mechanical feed arrangement, and screened. The floors of the upper chamber and transfer chamber are each ported and equipped with separate plug valves arranged to move vertically to open and close with a plug type fit the respective ports for sequentially transferring a welding flux charge first from the upper chamber to the transfer chamber, and then from the transfer chamber to the lower dispensing chamber, under the control of a sealed pneumatic actuation system that keeps the flux from fouling the moving parts involved.

Abstract: A fluid operable valve suitable for use in high temperature and pressure environments involving the flow of solids material, incorporates a main valve member and a pilot valve member co-operable with separate seats axially spaced apart in association with the inlet of the valve. The arrangement is such that in operation the pilot valve member is sequenced to close against its seat prior to the main valve member which is purged prior to closure by a gas to remove particles of material which might cause ineffective sealing.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting flowable particulate material including a container for receiving the material and having a material receiving chamber and a material inlet, and a gas inlet chamber with a gas inlet, the two chambers being separated by a porous wall, a material outlet, a pressure sensor in the material receiving chamber and a valve operated by the sensor when a predetermined pressure occurs in the material receiving chamber for opening said material outlet, the material outlet including a conduit between the material receiving chamber and a location external to the container, one end portion of the conduit being movable relative to another portion thereof to provide a predetermined spaced relationship between the end portion of the conduit and the porous wall, the gas inlet chamber being separated into two parts by a gas inlet compartment depending within the chamber from the porous wall and two manually adjustable control valves for controlling the supply of gas to the chamber and compartment respe