Abstract: A powder conveying apparatus, a gas supply apparatus, and a method for removing powder that suppresses internal leakage are provided. A powder conveying apparatus includes a powder transport line via which a powder feedstock source is coupled to a vaporizer, and includes a first valve provided on a powder feedstock source-side of the powder transport line. The powder conveying apparatus includes a second valve provided on a vaporizer-side of the powder transport line, and includes a buffer tank configured to be filled with a purge gas. The powder conveying apparatus includes a first purge-gas supply line coupled to the powder transport line upstream of the second valve, the first purge-gas supply line enabling the purge gas to be supplied from the buffer tank to the second valve. The powder conveying apparatus includes a first purge gas valve provided on the first purge-gas supply line.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system according to which a discharge manifold is pressurized by at least a first fracturing pump, said discharge manifold being adapted to communicate pressurized fluid to an oil and gas wellbore.

Abstract: A powder transfer apparatus includes: a powder transfer pipe connecting a powder raw material supply source to a vaporizer and configured to supply a powder to the vaporizer from the powder raw material supply source; a first purge gas supply pipe connecting a buffer tank to the powder transfer pipe at a first branch point and configured to supply a purge gas from the buffer tank to the powder transfer pipe; a first valve that is closer to the powder raw material supply source than the first branch point is; a second valve that is closer to the vaporizer than the first branch point is, an opening degree of the second valve being adjustable; a first purge gas valve provided on the first purge gas supply pipe; and a controller configured to control opening and closing of the first valve, the second valve, and the first purge gas valve.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a nozzle body discharging a powder and a carrier gas from an opening, a powder supply supplying the powder and the carrier gas to the nozzle body, a flow rate adjuster provided in a supply path of the powder supply to cause a part of a flow of the carrier gas containing the powder to flow into a branch flow path branching from the supply path to adjust a flow rate of the carrier gas containing the powder to be supplied to the nozzle body, and the branch flow path connected to the flow rate adjuster. The branch flow path is connected to a flow path leading to the nozzle body and has a separator for separating the powder and the carrier gas. The carrier gas separated from the powder by the separator is supplied to the nozzle body through the branch flow path.

Abstract: A dilute phase powder pump for pumping powder, particularly coating powder, from a powder reservoir to a powder spray-coating device, includes a powder inlet, which is or can be flow-connected to the powder reservoir, and a powder outlet, which is or can be flow-connected to the powder spray-coating device. The dilute phase powder pump also has a powder pumping injector with a motive fluid nozzle and a converging inlet nozzle, and has a valve device for optionally interrupting a flow connection between the powder inlet (80) of the dilute phase powder pump and a powder inlet of the motive fluid nozzle.

Abstract: A grain handling system having an air system is presented that is capable of automatically detecting and clearing a plug in a tube of an air system using a central controller, an air pressure sensor, a dynamic pressure relief valve and a variable frequency drive connected to and controlling a blower motor. When a plug is detected, the central controller stops the flow of grain into the tube and ramps up the output of the blower motor to full capacity. Thereafter, the central controller performs an unplugging routine by opening and closing the dynamic pressure relief valve causing surges of air to impact the plug either breaking up the plug or bumping the plug along the tube until it clears. Once the plug clears, the central controller resumes normal operation.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for supplying fuel, enabling communications, and conveying electric power associated with operation of a hydraulic fracturing unit of a plurality of hydraulic fracturing units are disclosed and may include a fuel line connection assembly configured to be connected to the first hydraulic fracturing unit and to supply fuel from a fuel source to a gas turbine engine connected to the hydraulic fracturing unit. A system also may include a communications cable assembly configured to be connected to the hydraulic fracturing unit and to enable data communications between the hydraulic fracturing unit and a data center or another hydraulic fracturing unit. A system further may include a power cable assembly configured to be connected to the hydraulic fracturing unit and to convey electric power between the hydraulic fracturing unit and a remote electrical power source or the plurality of hydraulic fracturing units.

Abstract: There is provided a powder supply apparatus that prevents powder from scattering as much as possible. There is provided the powder supply apparatus that supplies a powder containing a metal used for a plating to a plating solution. This powder supply apparatus includes a plating solution tank, a feed pipe, a gas supply line, and a spiral-air-flow-generating component. The plating solution tank is configured to house the plating solution. The feed pipe is configured to feed the powder into the plating solution tank. The gas supply line is configured to supply a gas. The spiral-air-flow-generating component is configured to receive the gas from the gas supply line to generate a spiral air flow heading toward the plating solution tank inside the feed pipe.

Abstract: A method and system of a predictive maintenance IoT system comprises receiving a plurality of sensor data over a communications network and determining one or more clusters from the sensor data based on a pre-determined rule set. Further, the sensor data is classified through a machine learning engine and the sensor data is further base-lined through a combination of database architecture, data training architecture, and a base-lining algorithm. Intensity or degree of fault state is mapped to a fuel gauge to be depicted on a user interface and a predictive maintenance state is predicted through a regression model and appropriate alarm is raised for user action.

Abstract: A process for pressurizing bulk material in an apparatus for pressurizing bulk material in a hopper; wherein the hopper is configured as a lock hopper containing a bulk material, wherein the apparatus comprises a source of pressurized gas, lines to convey the pressurized gas from the source of pressurized gas to one or more inlets of the lock hopper, a valve arrangement arranged in the lines, wherein the process is characterized in that said valve arrangement comprises at least two valves arranged in parallel, each valve being connected to a downstream Laval tuyere, and in that said valves are controlled to open in an operating sequence to provide pressurizing gas with an adjusted gas flow rate to the lock hopper.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an agricultural system having first and second product meters configured to meter product to first and second lines, respectively. First and second motors are coupled to the first and second product meters and configured to drive them at first and second metering rates, respectively. An air source is configured to provide first and second airflows to the first and second lines, respectively. A controller electrically coupled to the first and second motors is configured to receive first and second inputs indicative of first and second numbers of first and second outlets fluidly coupled to the first and second lines, respectively. The controller is configured to instruct the first and second motors to drive the first and second product meters at the first and second metering rates, respectively, based on the first and second inputs, and to instruct the air source to provide the first and second airflows with first and second dynamic pressures or first and second velocities.

Abstract: Powder feed rate control system that includes a hopper adapted to contain a powder and to maintain a hopper pressure. A carrier conduit delivers a carrier gas flow and having an orifice. The carrier gas flow conveys powder entering through the orifice at a powder feed rate. A differential pressure transducer includes a first pressure input associated with the hopper pressure and a second pressure input associated with the carrier gas flow downstream of the hopper. The differential pressure transducer (PT) outputs a signal related to a differential pressure between the first pressure input and the second pressure input. An electro pneumatic regulator (EP) is adapted to communicate with a control and receiving the signal related to the differential pressure.

Abstract: A powder conveyor has a pneumatically actuated dense phase powder pump and a pressure controller. The dense phase powder pump comprises at least one conveyor chamber having a powder inlet valve and a powder outlet valve. The pressure controller can be used to adjust and maintain a set pressure on the at least one conveyor chamber of the dense phase powder pump that is or can be previously defined and/or to adjust and maintain an actuation pressure on the powder inlet valve or the powder outlet valve that is or can be previously defined. The powder conveyor further comprises a gas flow detection device for detecting or determining a quantity of gas that is fed or removed per time unit when the set pressure is adjusted and maintained on the at least one conveyor chamber or a quantity of gas that is fed to the powder inlet valve or the powder outlet valve per time unit when the actuation pressure is adjusted and maintained.

Abstract: An pneumatic convey device that employs active vacuum pressure monitoring using either a pressure sensor or vacuum motor power consumption to maintain a constant velocity pickup point, reduce product damage, increase capacity per vacuum pressure when the system is running at less than designed vacuum and reduce energy consumption at the point where the material convey starts.

Abstract: A pressure control system is provided. The pressure control system includes a first pressure sensing device configured to obtain a first pressure measurement including at least one of a first differential pressure and a first pressure, the first pressure measurement obtained from at least one of within and downstream from a solids supply system, a second pressure sensing device configured to obtain a second pressure measurement including at least one of a second differential pressure and a second pressure within the solids supply system, and a pressure controller configured to use the first pressure measurement and the second pressure measurement to control a pressure within the solids supply system.

Abstract: The invention disclosed a plastic tubular product coating machine head and a plastic tubular product coating apparatus including the same, plastic tubular product coating machine head includes a machine head body, a tubular product guiding sleeve and a fluid guiding plate, wherein, fluid guiding plate is in the shape of a circular plate with a central circular aperture, an annular channel is formed in circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the fluid guiding plate, a plurality of sub-channels extending from the outer periphery of the fluid guiding plate to the inner aperture wall of the fluid guiding plate are formed on both end faces of the fluid guiding plate, the sub-channels are tangent to the circumference of the central circular aperture, the main fluid passage is communicated to the sub-channels through the annular channel.

Abstract: Provided is a configuration in which: a spool driven by an electromagnetic proportional solenoid is urged by a spool-returning spring configured to exert urging force in an opposite direction to a driving direction of the electromagnetic proportional solenoid; a mechanical stopper is disposed at the stroke end of the spool; current dither causes a control current to micro-vibrate, the control current driving the electromagnetic proportional solenoid; and the mechanical stopper includes a stopper-urging spring configured to allow the spool to vibrate owing to the current dither even when the spool is in contact with the mechanical stopper. A proportional solenoid control valve with this configuration is capable of reducing hysteresis at the stroke end of the spool by means of the current dither, and controlling the spool in a stable manner over the entire control range including the stroke end of the spool.

Abstract: Organic porous masses may be used in flavored smoke filters. Production of organic porous masses may involve introducing a matrix material into a mold cavity, the matrix material comprising a plurality of binder particles, a plurality of organic particles, and a microwave enhancement additive; heating at least a portion of the matrix material so as to bind the matrix material at a plurality of contact points, thereby forming an organic porous mass length, wherein heating involves irradiating with microwave radiation the at least a portion of the matrix material; and cutting the organic porous mass length radially thereby yielding an organic porous mass.

Abstract: A system provides pneumatic conveyance of grain or other dry, loose commodities. The system conveys the commodity from a first piece of equipment, for example a grain dryer, to a second piece of equipment, for example, a grain bin. A variable speed blower motor is mounted to drive air through a transport pipe, and the blower motor speed is controlled by a processor and software providing a desired pressure to efficiently move the commodity based on the rate of discharge into the transport pipe, while minimizing wasted energy or damage to the commodity that is often experienced when more than the required pressure is provided by a blower motor. Parameters used in determining the blower motor speed may include the gauge pressure measured in the transport pipe, the rate of discharge of commodity into the transport pipe, and the blower motor current or power.

Abstract: An agricultural implement system is provided including a fluid conduit configured to provide product to a ground engaging tool. The agricultural implement system also includes an air source fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and configured to provide an air flow through the fluid conduit in a downstream direction toward the ground engaging tool. The agricultural implement system further includes a product delivery system fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and configured to transfer the product into the air flow. In addition, the agricultural implement system includes a product flow control system configured to determine a mass flow rate of the product based on a pressure drop through the fluid conduit, and to adjust product transfer into the air flow based on the determined mass flow rate of the product.

Abstract: A pressure control system is provided. The pressure control system includes a first pressure sensing device configured to obtain a first pressure measurement including at least one of a first differential pressure and a first pressure, the first pressure measurement obtained from at least one of within and downstream from a solids supply system, a second pressure sensing device configured to obtain a second pressure measurement including at least one of a second differential pressure and a second pressure within the solids supply system, and a pressure controller configured to use the first pressure measurement and the second pressure measurement to control a pressure within the solids supply system.

Abstract: An agricultural implement system is provided including a fluid conduit configured to provide product to a ground engaging tool. The ground engaging tool is configured to deposit the product into soil. The agricultural implement system also includes an air source fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and configured to provide an air flow through the fluid conduit in a downstream direction toward the ground engaging tool. The agricultural implement system further includes a product delivery system fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, and configured to transfer the product into the air flow. In addition, the agricultural implement system includes a product flow measurement system configured to determine a mass flow rate of the product based on a pressure drop between an upstream portion of the fluid conduit and a downstream portion of the fluid conduit, a flow rate of the air flow, and a velocity of the air flow.

Abstract: An arrangement for adapting the transportation behavior of material to be conveyed includes a first container, which is coupleable to a first pressure level; a second container, which is coupleable to a second pressure level; a connecting line for transporting material to be conveyed from the first container to the second container; and a pressure reduction device by which a pressure difference between the first container and the second container is controllably variable.

Abstract: An abrasive jet cutting system may include a differential pressure measurement apparatus configured to measure a differential pressure between points in an abrasive supply system. The differential pressure may be used to determine one or more conditions of the jet and the abrasive delivery. The measured differential pressure may be used in a feedback control system, feed forward control system, and/or an alarm or safety system.

Abstract: An improved biomass feed system and processes for transporting biomass to downstream processing locations are disclosed. The system uses a pressurized gas to assist in the transporting of the biomass to the conversion reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for adapting the transportation behavior of material to be conveyed, which arrangement comprises a first container, which is coupleable to a first pressure level; a second container, which is coupleable to a second pressure level; a connecting line for transporting material to be conveyed from the first container to the second container; and a pressure reduction device by means of which a pressure difference between the first container and the second container is controllably variable.

Abstract: A system for controlling gas leakage in a solids delivery system is provided. The system includes a bulk solids pump comprising an inlet for a particulate material and an outlet for discharge of said particulate material. The system also includes a buffer gas channel configured to impede backflow of process gas into the bulk solids pump, such as from a downstream system or process. The system further includes a pressure differential system configured to control a flow rate of the buffer gas and maintain a positive differential in pressure between the buffer gas and the process gas.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling the velocity of a particulate material conveyed by a gas flow under negative pressure in a duct said device comprising means for separating the flow into first and second streams. The first stream has a relatively high particulate material content and the second stream has a relatively low particulate material content. The flow of the second stream is restricted for example by a flow restricting or constricting orifice or valve. The duct diameter may increase incrementally along its length.

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: An improved feeder system and method for a vapor transport deposition system that includes a carrier gas bypass flow line to allow for continuous carrier gas flow to a vaporizer unit when a vibratory unit which supplies powdered material and carrier gas to the vaporizer unit is out of service. A process gas flow line to the vibratory unit may be included when the powdered material contains a powdered dopant in the material mix.

Abstract: A dynamic blower system to apply shredded aluminum foil on top of existing building insulation, including: a tank into which the foil is loaded; an air input port connected with the tank to generate an air vortex in the tank; an output hose connected with an outlet port of the tank; and an internal output louver connected with the tank and positioned relative to the vortex to direct the spinning foil into and through the outlet port and output hose.

Abstract: A plant for transport of granular material comprising container for granular material to be transported, receiver-meter group designed to receive granular material from container, conveyance duct of granular material from container to receiver-meter group, depressurization-pressurization means arranged to suction/inject a gaseous medium from/into container, and vacuum duct between receiver-meter group and depressurization-pressurization means, thereby creating a flow of granular material and gaseous medium in at least one conveyance duct or line directed to receiver-meter group and a flow of gaseous medium between receiver-meter group and depressurization-pressurization means, the plant comprising detection means of parameters of flow located in vacuum duct or line, adjusting means of the power of depressurization/pressurization means and electronic control means designed to receive in input control signals from speed detection means and to emit control signals in output for driving adjusting means.

Abstract: A continuous semi-dense phase conveying system comprising a vessel having a gas inlet, a particulate material inlet, and a gas and particulate material outlet, which has an operating pressure of about 15 psig or less. The system includes a rotary airlock valve for feeding particulate material into the vessel and a pressurizing gas supply which branches into a feed gas line and a bypass line. A pneumatic conveying line coupled to the gas and particulate material outlet of said the and coupled to the bypass line. The pressure of the vessel is controlled using a bypass valve on said bypass line and optimize the flow of gas and particulate matter through the pneumatic conveying line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metering system for the steady, continuous, dosed supply of a bulk material in powder form made of light, polydisperse particles from a supply device (B, SG) into a plurality of conveying tubes (FR1, FR2, FR3) to a consumer arranged downstream. The metering system comprises at least two metering containers (DB1, DB2, DB3) each having a delivery device (AE2/1, AE2/2, AE2/3), the delivery device (AE2/1, AE2/2, AE2/3) for each of the conveying tubes (FR1, FR2, FR3) comprising a dust flow regulation device (FI1/1, FI2/1, FI3/2), which is assigned thereto and opens therein, and a mass flow measuring probe (FIC1, FIC2, FIC3) being arranged on each of the conveying tubes (FR1, FR2, FR3), which is coupled to the dust flow regulation device (FI1/1 to FI3/2) which opens into the corresponding conveying tube (FR1, FR2, FR3).

Abstract: Method for automatically loading feed line with bulk material in suction delivery system having feed line, loading point, reservoir, and at least one material separator arranged at distance to reservoir. Method includes selecting target value for air speed for area of loading point, wherein for area of loading point, minimum target value and maximum target value for air speed are empirically determined from feed line parameters related to feed line and material parameters related to bulk material and values are stored in database. Method includes measuring in area of loading point one of air speed and quantity serving for determination of air speed in feed line and sending target value and measured value of air speed to controller. Method includes controlling air speed to target value via suction capacity, and adding bulk material in metered manner in dependence upon measured value of air speed when target value is reached.

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 Control System for monitoring the flow of air in a high capacity column delivery device, wherein a programmable logic controller, uses one or more sensors for sensing changes in air pressure and an air flow in a system to ensure one or more chute continuously and uniformly discharge a material; the programmable logic controller is connected to the system having; one or more sensors and a compressor which is mechanically connected to the system to supply the air to each chute through an air hose, which is necessary in order to assist the material to travel down a pipes and into the chute and out at a tip of a vibratory probe mechanism; the system further comprises at least one air hose directed downwardly in each chute to prevent any blockage of the material; wherein the programmable logic controller monitors the flow of air and pressure of air in the system through the use of these signals and electronically decides an appropriate reaction by sends a signal to the valve and air hose; when a blockage occurs

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 system provides pneumatic conveyance of granular materials, for example, grain or other dry, loose commodities. They system conveys the commodity from a first piece of equipment, for example a grain dryer, to a second piece of equipment, for example, a grain bin. A variable speed blower motor is mounted to drive air through a transport pipe, and the blower motor speed is controlled by a processor and software to provide a desired pressure to efficiently move the commodity based on the rate of discharge into the transport pipe, while minimizing wasted energy or damage to the commodity that is often experienced when more than the required pressure is provided by a blower motor. Parameters used in determining the blower motor speed may include the gauge pressure measured in the transport pipe, the rate of discharge of commodity into the transport pipe, and the blower motor current or power.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for use in controlling a translocation process of a pneumatic tube system in order to reduce the amount of energy transferred from the tube system to a pneumatic carrier and, hence, its contents. Generally, these utilities entail identifying and/or reducing forces applied to a pneumatic carrier traveling through a travel path within a pneumatic tube system. The systems and method disposed herein allow for varying the velocity of a pneumatic carrier as it passes through a travel path of the pneumatic system. Such varying of the velocity allows for reducing the total forces applied to the pneumatic carrier during passage through the system. In one arrangement, the power output of a power source connected to a compressor device is altered to vary the velocity of pneumatic carries in the system.

Abstract: An pneumatic convey device that employs active vacuum pressure monitoring using either a pressure sensor or vacuum motor power consumption to maintain a constant velocity pickup point, reduce product damage, increase capacity per vacuum pressure when the system is running at less than designed vacuum and reduce energy consumption at the point where the material convey starts.

Abstract: Provided is a conveying device used under a condition having a large pressure difference which is observed during a process such as a depressurizing process in an operation of manufacturing gas hydrate pellets and a method of controlling the same, the conveying device requiring less ancillary facilities, being small in size, and achieving high-speed processing while achieving secure blockage of pressure.

Abstract: A continuous semi-dense phase conveying system comprising a vessel having a gas inlet, a particulate material inlet, and a gas and particulate material outlet, which has an operating pressure of about 15 psig or less. The system includes a rotary airlock valve for feeding particulate material into the vessel and a pressurizing gas supply which branches into a feed gas line and a bypass line. A pneumatic conveying line coupled to the gas and particulate material outlet of said the and coupled to the bypass line. The pressure of the vessel is controlled using a bypass valve on said bypass line and optimize the flow of gas and particulate matter through the pneumatic conveying line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a powder supply system (1) for supplying a processing apparatus (2) with a granular substance (3). In this arrangement the powder supply system (1) includes a main container (4) and a powder conveying system (5) with a storage container (51) for conveying the granular substance (3) into the processing apparatus (2). In accordance with the invention, means (6, 611, 612, 62) are provided so that, in the operating state of the processing apparatus (2), a predetermined amount of the granular substance (3) can be conveyed from the main container (4) as working powder to the storage container (51) in such a way that at least a minimum amount (M1) is available as a granular substance (3) in the storage container (51).

Abstract: A vacuum modulating air control valve includes a valve body with air intake ports, an output port, and a valve throat. A valve member is slidably mounted within the valve body between open positions relative to the valve throat and a closed position, to which the valve member is urged by a valve spring. A pneumatic cylinder has a piston forming a vacuum chamber and has a piston rod connected to the valve member. The output port is connected to a feedpoint of a vacuum conveying system, and the vacuum chamber is connected to a vacuum line communicating with the vacuum conveying system. A vacuum level within the vacuum chamber retracts the valve member from the throat, thereby admitting ambient air into the vacuum conveying system to control a material-to-air ratio within the system.

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 system for accurately weighing a mass of material, including a closed chamber (20) having a gas inlet (22) and a gas outlet (24). A scale (30) is disposed in the closed chamber (20). An inert gas supply, under positive pressure, is connected to the gas inlet (22) and a vacuum powered pressure regulator (100) is connected to the gas outlet (24) to maintain a predetermined pressure level within the closed chamber (20) and to substantially inhibit pressure fluctuations within the chamber (20) that may affect accuracy of the scale (30).

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for use in controlling a translocation process of a pneumatic tube system in order to reduce the amount of energy transferred from the tube system to a pneumatic carrier and, hence, its contents. Generally, these utilities entail identifying and/or reducing forces applied to a pneumatic carrier traveling through a travel path within a pneumatic tube system. The systems and method disposed herein allow for varying the velocity of a pneumatic carrier as it passes through a travel path of the pneumatic system. Such varying of the velocity allows for reducing the total forces applied to the pneumatic carrier during passage through the system. In one arrangement, the power output of a power source connected to a compressor device is altered to vary the velocity of pneumatic carries in the system.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention concerns a method of controlling a flow of slurry pumped through a non-vertical pipeline (10) by a pump (54). In the method, at least one sensor (12) is provided. This has a sensing face (42), and the sensor is mounted at a predetermined position along the length of the pipeline such that the sensing face is flush with the invert of the pipeline at that position. The sensor is calibrated to provide output signals related to the velocity of the slurry at the invert. The operation of the pump and/or the density of the slurry are then controlled in response to the output signals from the sensor. Other aspects of the invention relate to the apparatus and to a slurry pipeline control system incorporating the apparatus and in which the method is implemented.

Abstract: A system is provided for distributing particulate matter. The system includes at least two conduits, each conduit extending from a common first position adjacent a source of particulate matter to a second position. The pressure differential between the first and second positions is substantially the same for each conduit. A pressurized fluid conveys particulate matter through the at least two conduits. A device measures mass flow of particulate matter in each of the at least two conduits. A controller is in communication with the device that provides additional pressurized fluid to each conduit having a solids ratio greater than the desired solids ratio of the at least two conduits in response to a measured mass flow rate to balance (or to preferentially bias) mass flow of particulate matter through each of the at least two conduits.