Abstract: A fluidizing feed apparatus (20) for supplying particulate material to a fluidized bed furnace (12) having a housing (22) which defines a chamber which is divided by a multi-tiered perforated distribution plate (24) into a plurality of independent gas plenums (26, 36, 52) beneath the respective tiers (23, 25, 27) of the distribution plate, a particulate fluidizing plenum (28) above the upper outer position (25) of the distribution plate (24) and a particulate feed plenum (30) superadjacent the lower central portion (25) of the distribution plate (24). Conveying gas is independently fed under pressure to each of the gas plenums to pass upwardly through the respective tiers of the perforated distribution plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for the distribution at a regulated rate of a fluidizable powdery material has a storage container (1), a porous wall and air conduit for fluidizing the powdery material and an orifice for discharging the fluidized powdery material. A casing (2) has two parts, an upper part (2A) connected to the storage container and to the orifice, and a lower part (2B) which is separated from the upper part (2A) by the porous fluidization wall (4). The upper part (2A) of the casing is connected at one of its ends (7A), to the storage container (1) by a column (3), at an upper part of its opposite end, to a balancing and degassing column (6) and, in its lower part (7B), to the outlet orifice (8) for the fluidized powdery material, which is disposed immediately above the level of the porous fluidization wall (4). The lower part (2B) is connected to an intake (5) for fluidization gas at a regulated pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the separation and classification of tobacco into two fractions, e.g., into heavies and lights. A stream of fluid is employed to produce a stratified bed of the tobacco, preferably in cooperation with vibration of the tobacco, in which the tobacco is supported by the fluid and is stratified as a function of particle size, density and weight. The stream entrains the tobacco particles located at the top of the stratified bed and removes them to a suitable receptacle, where they are received and collected.

Abstract: A fluidized bed discharge process for transferring solid particulate material from a high pressure vessel to lower pressure through successive zones of settling and transferring is disclosed, wherein said solid is maintained in a fluidized condition by the passage of a gas stream through said high pressure vessel from the base of said bed to the top of said vessel, involving conveying fluidized solid particulate material, by positive gas transfer, from a point in said vessel below the top of said bed, through the actuation of suitable valving means, to a settling zone or zones wherein said solid materials is separated from said gas which is vented back directly or indirectly into said vessel at a point above the point of conveying; upon the completion of conveying of said solid particulate material to said settling zone, actuating associated valving means to arrest all solid and gas flow to and from said settling zone; and actuating valve means associated with said settling zone to successively convey said so

Abstract: The flow restrictor (10) comprises a resilient and flexible porous membrance (12) over an air inlet port (18). In one embodiment an impervious member (130) is attached to the lower surface of the membrane over the air inlet port. The membrane balloons due to air flow through the inlet which greatly increases its effective cross sectional area as air flows into the plenum chamber. When air flow stops gravity and/or air pressure from the container forces the membrane against the seat (118) and the effective cross section of the membrane is reduced to approximately that of the inlet port.

Abstract: An improved powder pump for pumping air entrained solid particulate powder material comprising a pneumatic conveyor line within which there is located a low pressure venturi pumping chamber. This venturi pumping chamber is intersected by a powder supply passage through which powder is drawn via a siphon tube into the conveyor line from a fluidized bed source of powder material. Over the inlet end of the siphon tube there is a cone shaped deflector plate which functions to reduce the inflow of air bubble created powder voids and consequent uneven flow of powder from the pump.

Abstract: Activator for fluidizing slow-moving material in fluid containers (10). The activator comprises a flat activator hose (15) which is suspended on a support member (16) arranged like a coat-hanger, a conduit (17) projecting into the activator hose between the layers thereof for the supply of pressurized gas pulses to the space between the front and rear layers of the activator hose. At least the front layer of the activator hose is gas-permeable and allows transmission of the pressurized gas pulses to the material in the container, a rhythmical movement simultaneously being imparted to the front layer in relation to the rear layer in pace with the pressurized gas pulses.

Abstract: An improved powder pump for pumping air entrained solid particulate powder material comprising a pneumatic conveyor line within which there is located a low pressure venturi pumping chamber. This venturi pumping chamber is intersected by a powder supply passage through which powder is drawn into the conveyor line. Located within the powder supply passage is a rotatable tubular powder diffuser through which the powder passes in the course of passage through the powder supply passage. Rotation of the diffuser is effected by atomizing or metering air flow to the powder flow passage upstream of the venturi pumping chamber. This atomizing air flow, in addition to effecting rotation of the diffuser, also controls the rate of flow of powder through the powder supply passage and into the venturi pumping chamber.

Abstract: A storage container for solid particulate materials includes a source of `lubrication` gas coupled to a fluidizer. The fluidizer particulate materials are carried from the container by a stream of transport gas. A deflector placed over the container outlet constrains the fluid flow in a substantially horizontal path to prevent the outlet becoming blocked by the solids when the gas flow is cut off. The proportions of particulate material can be varied by selectively varying the pressure in the container, where the container is a pressure vessel.

Abstract: A barge, including a system for pneumatic unloading of cement or other dry, bulk, powdered material from the barge into a receptacle. The barge includes a barge hull; a plurality of side-by-side hoppers disposed in the hull to receive and store the material; a collector system for each hopper to unload the material from the hopper and convey the material to a vacuum-pressure pneumatic conveyor; and a discharge conduit connected to the discharge outlet of the pneumatic conveyor for conveying the material from the conveyor to the receptacle during the discharge cycle.

Abstract: A high-pressure conveyor discharges a powdery or granular material from a pressurization tank through a discharge unit into a conveyor pipe. The discharge unit includes a guide cylinder or trough mounted on the tank, a screw feeder extending through the guide cylinder and having an end extending into the tank in overhanging relation to an aerator in the tank and the other end coupled to a variable-speed drive unit such as a motor. The material as it is fluidized on the aerator under a high pressure is supplied into the discharge cylinder, from which the material is fed by the screw feeder out of a discharge port in the guide cylinder into the conveyor pipe. A plurality of discharge units may be connected to the tank at angularly spaced intervals for uniform or adjusted distribution of the material to a plurality of locations.

Abstract: A fertilizer spreader includes an attachment assembly for use with a portable hand-held air blower for entraining granular fertilizer or the like into the discharge air stream of the blower, whereby the fertilizer is broadcast by the air stream over a lawn or garden area. The attachment assembly comprises an adapter nozzle connected in-line with the discharge air stream of the blower and including a pressure port through which a portion of the discharge air stream is directed for passage through a pressure tube to a diffuser mounted within a portable vented fertilizer-receiving container near the bottom thereof. The diffuser turns the air stream upwardly within the container and divides the stream into a plurality of turbulent air flows for agitating and suspending particles in a localized region above the diffuser, with a substantial portion of the air stream escaping from the container through a vent at a position remote from the localized region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting gas-borne particulate material comprising a pneumatic conveyor having an elongate duct. In order to inhibit formation of stagnant pockets and recirculation of solids within the duct, an annular flow of gas is introduced into the duct, preferably along its peripheral wall. The annular flow is auxiliary to the main flow and may be introduced via an annular passage encompassing an inlet section of the duct and extending longitudinally of the duct. Gas may be supplied to the annular passage from an annular plenum chamber surrounding the duct.

Abstract: An aeroslide (50) includes a molded plastic base (52) comprising a bottom wall (54), side walls (56) extending upwardly from the bottom wall and end walls (58) extending upwardly from the bottom wall and joining the side walls to enclose the interior of the base. Indentations (66) are formed in the upper portions of the side walls, and reinforcing members (68) are adhesively secured in the indentations at spaced points along the length of the base. Flanges (60) extend outwardly from the upper ends of the side walls and the end walls, and a porous fabric layer (70) is secured in place over the open top of the base by an adhesive layer extending between the upper surface of the flanges and the adjacent undersurface of the fabric layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic mixing silo comprising a storage compartment, a central mixing compartment connected thereto and at least one material inlet opening into the mixing compartment and at least one material outlet connected to the mixing compartment. A considerable improvement in the mixing effect of this mixing silo (1) may be obtained above all if the material outlet (14) is formed by an overflow from the mixing compartment (3). In addition, correcting material may be directly introduced into the mixing compartment through an additional material inlet (12).

Abstract: A fertilizer spreader includes an attachment assembly for use with a portable hand-held air blower for entraining granular fertilizer or the like into the discharge air stream of the blower, whereby the fertilizer is broadcast by the air stream over a lawn or garden area. The attachment assembly comprises an adapter nozzle connected in-line with the discharge air stream of the blower and including a pressure port through which a portion of the discharge air stream is directed for passage through a pressure tube to a diffuser mounted within a portable fertilizer-receiving container near the bottom thereof. The diffuser turns the air stream upwardly within the container and divides the stream into a plurality of turbulent air flows for agitating and suspending particles in a localized region above the diffuser.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a powder-feeding system for gas-propelled delivery of a powder to be controllably supplied, as to a flame-spraying gas torch or to a transferred-arc plasma torch. A fluidizing chamber receives (a) fluidizing-gas flow from below a porous screen, and (b) a restricted gravitational flow of powder at a relatively small central discharge location above the porous screen. A gas conduit extends transversely through the chamber between the powder-discharge location and the porous screen; it has a carrier-gas supply connection at one end and a gas-propelled powder-delivery connection at its other end. The conduit also has an upwardly extending opening virtually beneath and facing the powder-discharge location, but a shed interposed between this opening and the powder-discharge location sufficiently overlaps the opening to assure that no powder will pass through the opening and into the conduit unless it has been gas-fluidized.

Abstract: A system for spraying fluidized powder comprising at least one powder dispenser, a powder fluidization chamber containing a quantity of powder therein, a fluidization hose for introducing a stream of air into the chamber to fluidize the powder therein, at least one powder blower having an outlet from which a stream of air is allowed to pass, at least one powder control valve connected to the chamber and in communication with the fluidized powder therein, a rod for actuating each powder control valve wherein a quantity of fluidized powder is exhausted into an orifice in each powder control valve, a powder hose for introducing the fluidized powder from each powder control valve into the sides of each powder blower outlet, a conduit connecting each powder blower outlet with a portion of each powder dispenser for supplying a stream of fluidized powder, and a fluidization blower from which a stream of fluidizing air is allowed to pass into the fluidization hose.

Abstract: A closed system for fluidizing and conveying solid particulate material from one or more porous floor supply containers to one or more receptor containers by means of aeration while preventing the release of aerated particulate material into the atmosphere. The system comprises at least one porous floor supply container which receives pressurized air to fluidize the particulate material and which feeds the fluidized mixture to a delivery conduit which communicates with the receptor container(s). The invention comprises venting the supply container to a material recovery unit to isolate the vented aeration air and all of the particulate material carried thereby and then readmitting at least said vented particulate material to the system, the vent air being passed through a filter before release to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A bottom assembly for a hopper vehicle is adapted to permit safe pneumatic unloading as well as gravity unloading of a hopper. The bottom assembly includes a membrane mounted to be moved over and away from a hopper bottom opening, and sealing devices for insuring a secure seal for the hopper which can be easily set. A discharge manifold is connected to the hopper at a location spaced from the hopper bottom opening, and the hopper bottom opening is contained in a plane which is tilted with respect to the horizontal.

Abstract: A bottom unit for a material transportation car hopper includes a membrane which preferably is foraminous. The membrane is oriented at an angle with respect to horizontal and slopes toward a hopper discharge pipe. The bottom unit is separate from the discharge pipe. The bottom unit includes a vibrator for vibrating the membrane, and an air injection system for defining a film of air moving up through and across the membrane for sweeping material from the membrane and into the hopper material discharge system.

Abstract: A rail car includes substantially flat plate extensions interposed between upper and lower sections of the shell of the car to increase the internal volume of the car. The extensions are supported by lateral supports which extend laterally in the interior of the car and by longitudinal support beams also in the car interior which extend longitudinally of the extensions, are intersected by the lateral supports, and substantially prevent internal pressure in the car from being applied to the extensions.

Abstract: A coating of wear resistant tungsten carbide is applied to a photo-etched roto-gravure cylinder, the coating having a thickness in the range of from 15 to 35 microns. Tungsten carbide powder is supplied to a plasma flame spray gun by means of a powder feeder which supplies powder particles at a uniform density and at given sizes. The feeder comprises a hopper having air inlet and outlet passages and vertically spaced porous membranes which confine the powder and permit the passage of air. Air flow through the hopper suspends the powder particles of a desired diameter range adjacent a spray gun feed conduit. When copper cylinders are to be coated, the surface is allowed to oxidize to promote a chemical bonding of the coating to the surface.

Abstract: A blending chamber silo for pulverized bulk material has a main silo chamber with an inlet in its uppermost region, and a centrally located blending chamber on the floor of the silo has a roof and side walls with bottom apertures therein for the influx of the material from the main silo chamber into it. Aeration apparatus and air inlets are provided for the silo floor, and separate homogenization aeration apparatus is provided for the floor of the blending chamber, which operates under a pressure higher than that of the silo aeration apparatus. The roof of the blending chamber is spaced well below the top of the silo, and the blending chamber has a diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of the silo, whereby the lower portion of the silo wall and the wall of the blending chamber define a semi-annular narrow space having a height to width ratio greater than 1:1 and which breaks up material compacted or formed into bridges in its downward path toward the bottom apertures of the chamber.

Abstract: A self-adjusting powder distributor--which is particularly intended for use with alumina calcination apparatus--comprises a casing with a permeable partition, a plurality of outlets, and means for introducing preheated hydrate above the partition and fluidizing air therebelow. The fluidized hydrate withdraws through outlets of the casing for further treatment or partly as final product. The casing is provided with means by which the amounts and mutual ratios of the withdrawing material can be adjusted according to preselected values by altering the cross-sectional flow area or the level of the outlets.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system in which a transport tube is provided with an overhead rail in the form of an I-beam contained therein and a vehicle riding along the rail. The vehicle is formed by an elongated container suspended beneath the rail and displaceable therealong within the tube, with at least one vertical pivot mounted at an end of the container and a support mounted at an end of the container and a support mounted on the vertical pivot. A plurality of support rollers are mounted on the support and engage the lower flange of the rail while a plurality of guide rollers, also mounted on the support, flank the lower flange of the rail. Packing means provided at an end of the container enables the vehicle to be pneumatically displaced through the tube, the packing means being spaced from the wall of the tube and mounted on the vertical pivot for displacement in a horizontal plane by a pin provided on the support and engaged by a fork provided on the packing means.

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

Abstract: A coating of wear resistant tungsten carbide is applied to a photo-etched roto-gravure cylinder, the coating having a thickness in the range of from 15 to 35 microns. Tungsten carbide powder is supplied to a plasma flame spray gun by means of a powder feeder which supplies powder particles at a uniform density and at given sizes. The feeder comprises a hopper having air inlet and outlet passages and vertically spaced porous membranes which confine the powder and permit the passage of air. Air flow through the hopper suspends the powder particles of a desired diameter range adjacent a spray gun feed conduit. When copper cylinders are to be coated, the surface is allowed to oxidize to promote a chemical bonding of the coating to the surface.