Abstract: Method and system unloads dry bulk materials from a tank hopper supported on a trailer, the trailer being connected to a tractor. A material conveying conduit is adapted for receiving material from the hopper. A blower is provided for supplying pressurized air to the hopper and to the conduit so that a pressure differential is created between the hopper and the conduit to thereby induce the flow of the materials from the hopper to the conduit. The pressurized air is cooled via a radiator which transfers heat from the pressurized air to ambient air. Ambient air is caused to flow across the radiator by a fan that is pneumatically driven by an air brake system located on the tractor.

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: Apparatus 10 for discharging particulate material such as sand has a container 11 for the material, a supply conduit 20 for pressure gas, e.g. air, connected to an inlet 16 and via pipe 17 to an outlet 12 and a flexible discharge conduit 14 leading to nozzle 15. Flow in conduit 20 is controlled by a manually operable valve 21 biassed closed and when open gas and particulate material flow forcefully through nozzle 15. All the gas goes through valve 21. The apparatus can thus be controlled by an operative remote from the container 11 without consumption of pressure gas when valve 21 is closed. The valve 21 is mounted for convenient operation by a user. In a modification the valve 21 is nearer the container and operated from near the nozzle through a mechanical connection.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus introduce fine particles of a solid into a reactor with the help of a feed enclosure connected to the reactor through an injection pipe. The process comprises (a) introducing the solid into the feed enclosure wherein most of the solid particles settle at rest and then (b) introducing a gas into the feed enclosure so that the solid particles are suspended by the gas to form a solid particle suspension entrained in a dilute-phase conveying system by the gas into the reactor through the injection pipe. The invention is particularly useful for introducing particles of a solid catalyst into a gas-phase polymerization reactor.

Abstract: A method of transferring material from the bottom of a body of water provides a first tank submerged at a predetermined depth above the bottom. A material source is provided at the bottom subject to ambient water pressure, and is fluidly connected with the first tank. Material is transferred from the material source to the first tank by reducing the pressure in the first tank below the ambient water pressure at the predetermined depth. The ambient water pressure at the bottom thus forces the material into the first tank. Material is transferred from the first tank to a second tank under the force of compressed air until the first tank is substantially empty of material and full of compressed air. The first tank is connected to a third tank and an air compressor, the material transfer from the first tank to the second tank taking place by the compressor transferring compressed air to the first tank from the third tank.

Abstract: An aqua culture facility and method using a pneumatic pump for displacement of water or other liquid located in a confined space having rigid bottom and side walls which form an interior surface of the space, with a flexible liner having the same contour as the space in which the liquid is confined. The confined space is a culture chamber and open at the top side, such as a fish pond. The flexible liner is comprised of two or more flexible membranes which are in sealing engagement at their edge portions to form a sealed compartment. There is an air inlet-outlet means through which gas or liquid can be introduced to inflate and then to exhaust the air from the sealed compartment. The flexible liner has a flexible membrane in contact with the rigid bottom and side walls of the confined space and is larger then the interior surface of the confined space. The placed flexible membrane liner is covered with water and seeded with organisms to create the culture chamber.

Abstract: A container used for transporting dry bulk product which can be loaded and unloaded using a pneumatic mechanism and without need for tipping the container, comprising a plurality of hoppers and an external frame. A unique method of connecting the hoppers to the frame is discussed using skirt rings at the ends of the frame and side panels secured to the hoppers and to the end pieces of the external frame and extending the length of the container to provide sufficient strength to the container.

Abstract: A substance delivery and filter system for use in delivering or conveying a dry, fluid powder substance from a closed container to an open receptacle is provided. The delivery and filter system includes a filter housing having a heavy particle cyclone separator, a fine particle filter bag assembly, a substance inlet port positioned just above the heavy particle cyclone separator, a substance outlet port positioned at the bottom of the cyclone separator, and a filtered air outlet port communicating between the clean side of the filter bag assembly and the outside environment. The powder substance in the container is entrained in an air stream and introduced into the filter housing through a conduit connected to the substance inlet port. The heavier substance particles fall downwardly from the swirling air stream caused by the cyclone separator and are discharged into an open-air receptacle from the substance outlet port.

Abstract: A method of transferring water provides potential energy with the air pressure of compressed air and uses compressed air used for transfer repeatedly and continuously. The compressed air is retained at the place where the water is transferred from. The compressed air retained is drawn and compressed by a compressor for another transfer operation, and the water is transferred continuously by an alternate replacement between the compressed air and the water. The water can be brought into a place by water pressure where the compressed air acts on the water.

Abstract: A bulk material conveying system includes a closed chamber having an inlet and an outlet and a conveyor communicating with the chamber outlet for receiving bulk material from the chamber. A pressurized gas is supplied to the upper portion of the chamber and to the conveyor to provide a pressure differential in the chamber which causes the bulk material in the chamber to flow through the outlet and conveyed through the conveyor. A pressure regulator is provided for automatically maintaining the pressure in the upper portion of the chamber at a predetermined value not to exceed a pressure sufficient to maintain the pressure differential during normal material flow rate conditions.

Abstract: Ultrafine powder is stored in a pneumatic transportation tank (20), and is discharged to a transporting conduit (23) while being fluidized by the pressurized air fed through a fluidizing air port (24). The ultrafine powder is fed to a weigher (30) provided at the other end of the transporting conduit (23), at which the weight of the transported ultrafine powder is weighed by a load cell (31). After the weighed value reaches 90% of a predetermined value, the fed amount of the pneumatic transportation air is reduced, and a bypass regulating valve (38) is adjusted to thus decelerate the transportation. When the weighed value reaches 100% of the predetermined value, the discharge of the ultrafine powder to the transporting conduit (23) is stopped. This method and the apparatus enable the storage, quantitative batch transportation, and automatic weighing of the ultrafine powder such as silica fume.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for introducing pulverulent material into a tire for the purpose of balancing a tire and an associated wheel assembly. A quantity of polymeric pulverulent material sufficient to balance a tire and an associated wheel assembly is charged to a cylindrical chamber and confined therein. Pressurized air is passed through the chamber in such manner as to form cyclonic air currents in the chamber. The cyclonic air currents can be obtained by configuring the air inlet and the air outlet for the chamber so that their respective axes are not aligned. A mixture of air and pulverulent material is withdrawn from the chamber and passed to a tire which is being balanced.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising (i) a double cone having apexes at opposite ends, said double cone having independent gas inlet means at about the apex of the first cone and multiple independent gas outlet means in the second cone, and (ii) a hollow tube, open at both ends, inside the double cone running from one apex to the other apex having independent gas inlet means at the apex of the first cone and independent gas outlet means at the apex of the second cone.

Abstract: A container used for transporting dry bulk product which can be loaded and unloaded using a pneumatic mechanism and without need for tipping the container, comprising a plurality of hoppers and an external frame. A unique method of connecting the hoppers to the frame is disclosed using skirt rings at the ends of the frame and side panels secured to the hoppers and to the end pieces of the external frame and extending the length of the container to provide sufficient strength to the container.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for introducing pulverulent material into a tire through a tire valve stem is performed by confining a predetermined amount of pulverulent material in a cylindrical chamber having axially spaced and radially offset inlets and outlets, subjecting the confined pulverulent material to pressurized air which is transformed into a cyclonic air current within the chamber by the radially offset inlet and outlet, and introducing admixed air/pulverulent material from the chamber into a tire through its associated tire valve stem.

Abstract: A seed distribution system is provided for planters and drills wherein the distribution system includes a central hopper for supplying a plurality of seed metering units. A plurality of seed distribution units are mounted on a lower portion of the central hopper and each seed distribution unit includes a central tubular member defining an air column for entraining seeds to be distributed from the central hopper. A plurality of discharge outlets open into the air column for receiving seeds therefrom and for conveying the seeds through distribution tubes to metering unit bins associated with each of the seed metering units. In addition, each of the seed metering unit bins is provided with apparatus for adjusting the level of seed accumulated within the bin.

Abstract: A method of transferring objects provides potential energy with the air pressure of compressed air and uses compressed air for transfer repeatedly and continuously. The compressed air is retained at the place where the objects are transferred from. The compressed air retained is drawn and compressed by a compressor for another transfer operation, and the objects are transferred continuously by an alternate replacement between the compressed air and the objects. The objects can be brought into a place by water pressure where the compressed air acts on the objects.

Abstract: A container used for transporting dry bulk product which can be loaded and unloaded using a pneumatic mechanism and without need for tipping the container, comprising a plurality of hoppers, an external frame, a unique method of connecting the hoppers to the frame using skirt rings at the ends of the frame and side sills, and internal stiffeners between the hoppers, all of which act to provide sufficient strength to the container.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveyor for granular materials which includes an apparatus for introducing the material into the entraining air stream. The apparatus includes a pressure vessel having means at its upper end for receiving allotments of material from an unpressurized source. Located within the vessel below the inlet is a feeder of the type having a hopper leading to reciprocating tray. The tray includes a plurality of inclined blades and provides a constant metered flow of the material between the blades to an outlet located adjacent the lower end of the pressure vessel. The lower end of the pressure vessel is connected to a transition throat leading directly to the conveying line through which passes the entraining air stream. The outlet of the feeder is spaced from the opening of the transition throat such that air pressure may pass about the exit and pressurize a lower portion of the pressure chamber outside of the feeder.

Abstract: A sparger container comprises a pair of opposed end walls, a pair of opposed side walls, and a closed floor. The closed floor has an open-topped, longitudinally-extending channel and two generally planar sides slanting upwardly from the top edges of the channel to the side walls. A sparger system is provided immediately above the floor and includes a generally rectangular network of pipes disposed along the inner perimeter of the side and end walls, and at least one inlet providing fluid communication between a source of pressurized fluid and the pipes. The sparger system can also include a pipe positioned above the channel. Each of the pipes is provided with a plurality of holes therethrough, which are evenly-spaced circumferentially and are positioned at spaced intervals along the lengths of the pipes. An outlet for the container is positioned at one end of the channel and extends through one of the end walls.

Abstract: A particle feeding device and method for fluidized bed coaters that has no moving parts. It preferably provides for constant flow of purge gas into the fluidized bed coater and has a feedback control means for monitoring and precisely controlling the flow of particles into the coater. The particle feeding device includes a supply of granular material in communication with a generally horizontal passageway and a delivery conduit for feeding granular material into a desired location, such as a fluidized bed coater. The amount of granular material remaining in the supply is periodically determined and pulses of gas are periodically discharged through said generally horizontal passageway so as to blow granular material into said delivery conduit in a manner so as to feed the precise amount of granular material for predetermined periods of time.

Abstract: A feed system for flame spray guns is provided that comprises a hopper with a powder storage chamber, a pressurized gas source separated from the powder storage chamber by a gas distributor board, at least one flow line providing fluid communication for the pressurized air and entrained powder between the storage chamber and a flame spray gun, a powder outlet valve on each flow line for controlling the flow of pressurized gas and entrained powder from the storage chamber into the flow line, and a purge line delivering pressurized gas to the flow line downstream of the powder outlet valve for clearing powder from the flow line after the valve is closed.

Abstract: A slurry supplying device by which a uniformly mixed slurry can be supplied to a blasting gun in a pressure-type wet blasting machine. The slurry supplying device comprises a substantially closed vessel which contains the slurry and has a conical section in at least one part of the vessel. A conical stop valve is freely movable up and down to close the bottom of the slurry settling section by sealingly fitting its conical edge on the conical section of the vessel. An air duct supplies low pressure air for agitating the slurry at a lower part of the closed vessel by raising the stop valve body. An air duct is provided for supplying highly pressurized air into the closed vessel for pressurizing the slurry. A slurry supply pipe is provided for supplying the pressurized slurry to the blasting gun. A pressure relief valve is mounted on the top plate of the vessel for maintaining a maximum air pressure in the upper portion of the vessel.

Abstract: A device for handling bulk material, especially in marine transportation, comprises a pressure vessel having at least two members for mechanically enclosing a volume of the bulk material to be conveyed. The pressure vessel is equipped with pressure fluid activated push rods for moving the two members between an open and closed position to thereby grab a volume of the bulk material. The two members are preferably two essentially identical halves. A supply conduit is connected to the pressure vessel for supplying a pressurized gas thereto. A discharge conduit is connected to the pressure vessel for conveying the volume of bulk material out of the pressure vessel with the aid of the pressurized gas.

Abstract: A device for cleaning surfaces of chemical contaminants. The device comprises a hopper-like vessel having upper and lower chambers separated by a horizontal partition that constitutes the bottom of the upper chamber; an inverted U-shaped withdrawal tube located within said upper chamber and having intake and delivery legs which intake leg terminates short of the bottom of the upper chamber and which delivery leg opens into said lower chamber; an injector pipe having a nozzle located within the lower chamber and aligned therewith a delivery pipe having its intake end located within the lower chamber, the injection and delivery pipes producing together a pumping effect whereby the decontaminating agent is sucked from the upper chamber and a dispersion is formed in situ.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling finely powdered material into a long and narrow cavity or hole having a relatively small opening is provided. The apparatus features a discharge port for a particulate laden gas stream directed toward the opening of the hole to be filled but spaced apart from the opening of the cavity to be filled by a gap, so that in operation the powdered material continues across the gap and into the cavity due to its inertia while the gas escapes through the gap.

Abstract: A powder sprayer having a housing for containing a quantity of powder, a rotatable roller for metering the discharge of powder from the housing, a powder supply hopper remote from the housing, first and second conduits connecting the powder supply and housing, and a selectively operable regenerative type blower disposed in one of the conduits. The first and second conduits, blower, housing, and supply hopper define a closed loop through which air and powder may be circulated with relatively low-pressure, high air-flow operation for reliably transferring powder from the supply hopper to the housing without the tendency for clogging. In one embodiment, the supply hopper has an associated mixing chamber within which powder is pneumatically agitated for creating a relatively rich, substantially constant air-powder mixture for direction to the sprayer housing.

Abstract: A method of unloading a cargo from a lined, modular cargo container having a flexible, expandable liner located inside the container and expanded against the interior surfaces thereof. The method comprises the steps of conducting gas into the interior of the liner to increase the pressure on the bulk cargo therein and to urge the liner outward against the interior surfaces of the cargo container; and drawing gas and substantially the complete supply of the bulk cargo outward from the interior of the liner, without tilting the container and without tilting the liner.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveying system for particulate material. An upper vessel includes an inlet for the material. An intermediate housing is open to and located under the inlet. A primary check valve is located in the intermediate housing and will receive the material from the inlet. A lower housing is located beneath the intermediate housing. The lower housing includes a secondary check valve therein which receives the material from the primary check valve. A material exit is located below the secondary check valve. Each of the check valves includes an opening through which the material may flow. This opening is oblique to vertical, and a movable closure member is connected to alternatively open or seal the opening. Pressurized air is supplied to the check valves in an alternating manner.

Abstract: The device has an opening provided through a side wall of the fluidization enclosure and a tube extends outside a enclosure and substantially perpendicular thereto. A duct is connected substantially perpendicularly to the tube and extends downwards. A piston is slidably mounted in sealed manner inside the tube to slide between a first position in which it constitutes a panel closing the opening and a second position in which it at least partially uncovers the opening of the duct into the tube, and control means for controlling displacement of the piston inside the tube.

Abstract: A device for promoting the flow rate of solid particulates from a fluidized bed of solids into a downcomer extending from a discharge outlet in a wall or the bed includes a hollow, funnel-like, horn element having a lower end connected upstream of the discharge outlet and an upper end portion spaced upwardly of the lower end and flared outwardly at progressively higher levels to form an enlarged flow entrance for the fluidized solid particulates to move from said bed toward said discharge outlet into the downcomer. The funnel-like, horn element has an enlarged open upper end formed with a rim around the flow entrance spaced above the lower wall of the bed and has a flow cross-section substantially greater than that of the discharge outlet. A bubble ring is provided adjacent the rim for injecting gaseous fluid into the solids to fluidize the solid particulates for movement in a generally horizontal direction towards a center axis of the flow entrance of the funnel-like, horn element.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for withdrawing particulate spent catalyst particles from a packed, non-fluidized bed of such particles in contact with a liquid medium within a vessel having a withdrawal conduit or pipe which has an inlet that opens within the bottom of the bed and faces generally downwardly so that a first section extends upwardly from the inlet, and a second section extends downwardly, and the spent catalyst particles exits the packed bed through a uniform and continuous flow path opening into a solids recovery vessel whose pressure is controlled to regulate flow of such spent catalyst from the reaction vessel independent of the rate of flow through the withdrawal conduit.

Abstract: A portable texturing system is disclosed which includes a small spray unit and a source of portable compressed air which may simply be a small tank which the workman may wear on a belt or shoulder harness. The spray unit includes a reservoir for holding a charge of texturizing mixture and a cap assembly incorporating a mixer/spray mechanism. In use, the cap is positioned below the reservoir such that the texturizing mixture can flow by gravity and suction to the spray mechanism. The cap assembly includes a quick connect coupling and a valve for receiving and controlling air from the supply. A discharge nozzle is provided for directing the compressed air/texturizer mixture toward a wall area to be texturized. A mixing region within the cap assembly permits the texturizing mixture to be entrained with a stream of compressed air and discharged from the nozzle whenever the valve is actuated.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for pneumatically conveying dry particulate material from a source to a destination by cyclically loading and unloading a transfer vessel. The loading stage is accomplishing by creating a vacuum pressure within the transfer vessel to pull material into it, and after it is filled to its optimum capacity, switch a number of valves to convert the apparatus to the unloading stage wherein positive pressure is applied to the interior of the vessel to push the material down the output conveying line to its destination. The motive force in the operation of both stages is positive air pressure. The vacuum is generating by a high velocity venturi structure in combination with valving and piping which uses the positive air pressure. The unloading stage of operation utilizes the dense phase conveying, which is high pressure, low volume conveying.

Abstract: In a powder coating system wherein the powder is introduced via a feed conduit from the feed point to a mixing chamber, a pressure gradient oriented against the chamber is produced along the feed conduit by acceleration of a gas jet in the mixing chamber, and pressure recovery is obtained by retarding the powder-gas stream, in order to feed the powder-gas stream through a conveying line to a coating unit. For increasing the quantity of powder dispensed per unit time to the powder coating system, the pressure drop in the powder-gas stream along the conveying line is at least in part compensated for by raising the pressure at the feed point.

Abstract: Fluidized powder in a powder preparation container is treated to impart to it a desired moisture content through the feeding into the fluidized powder of a stream of compressed air whose moisture content and temperature have been carefully regulated. Powder in the preparation container which has attained the desired moisture content is then transferred to a powder holding container and from there to a spraying device by which spraying device the powder is electrostatically charged and sprayed on articles. Further, the powder preparation container is heated along several distinct heating zones which are arranged one above the other along the axis, i.e. height, of the container. The powder in the powder preparation container is stratified with the powder at the bottom of the container being affected only negligibly by the continuous introduction of fresh powder through the top of the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously conveying a powder in a gas flow has a configuration of the bottom end of the supply reservoir in the form of a funnel-shaped guide surface converging towards a pointed end. This surface is intersected by a vertically extending cylindrical well defining a bottom area where the powder is received in perforations formed in a rotary disc for discharge from the well. The wall of the well is preferably provided with a fluidizing gas inlet.

Abstract: A device for hydraulic conveyance of loose materials comprises a toroidal chamber having an equatorial plane thereof set with respect to a horizontal plane at an angle (.alpha.) falling within a range of.phi.<.alpha.<90.degree.,where .phi. is the angle of internal friction of the loose material, when saturated with the liquid used for hydraulic conveyance. The chamber is provided with pipes for charging the loose material and for discharging the liquid, both of the pipes being arranged on one side with respect to the meridianal plane, and a slurry discharge unit arranged on its other side.

Abstract: The discharge rate of a solid particulate material from a storage hopper is increased beyond the rate attainable by gravity flow along through the introduction of a pressurized gas into a plenum that lies over the discharge hopper. In one embodiment, a first pipe extends vertically downward from a storage hopper, and a second pipe of larger diameter is fitted over the lower end of the first pipe so that an annular plenum is formed between the pipes. A pressurized gas is injected into this plenum and results in an increase in the discharge rate. The discharge rate can be controlled by altering the pressure of the injected gas, and the flow can be rendered intermittent by opening and closing a gate valve at the outlet of the discharge hopper.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus (10) for dispensing powdered pesticide (13). A housing (11) is separated into an upper chamber (12) and lower chamber (51) by a porous media layer (19). The powdered pesticide (13) is contained within the upper chamber (13) and is fluidized when compressed air enters the dispenser from air inlet line (18). The fluidized pesticide is dispensed through adjustable dip tube (26), outlet line (34) and nozzle (36) when a control valve (50) is activated. Only particles having a size smaller than a predetermined size are dispensed; the remaining, relatively large pesticide particles remain in the upper chamber until physically removed.

Abstract: The pneumatic conveying system according to the present invention includes a pneumatic transport pressure vessel having funnel-shaped sides and a closed domed top. The pneumatic transport presure vessel has a single inlet/outlet opening at the bottom of the funnel-shaped sides. The pneumatic transport pressure vessel is connected to a switch valve having a pipe section movable between first and second positions. In the first position, the switch valve connects the pneumatic transport pressure vessel to a positive displacement mechanical feeder to bottom load material from a storage hopper through the switch valve into the pneumatic transport pressure vessel. In the second position, the pipe section of the switch valve connects the pneumatic transport pressure vessel to discharge piping for conveying the material pneumatically to a desired discharge location.

Abstract: Caustic soda beads are transferred from a railcar to a receiving zone by means of an open loop air circuit. Ambient air is compressed in the circuit to a pressure of at least 75 psig in a compressor which simultaneously demoisturizes the air. Thereafter, the air is delivered to a dryer to be further demoisturized. The demoisturized, pressurized air is passed through a pressure reducing valve such that the air pressure is reduced to below 25 psig. A first portion of the low pressure air is conducted to the interior of the railcar. A second portion of the demoisturized, low pressure air is conducted through a control valve and then past an outlet of the railcar to cause caustic soda beads to become entrained therein and conducted to the receiving zone. The control valve is automatically adjusted in accordance with the pressure in the railcar to regulate the amount of pressurized air supplied to the railcar in order to maintain a constant pressure within the railcar.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispersing duct material into the atmosphere at low concentration levels and substantially uniform rates, wherein the apparatus has a tank, a fluidizer positioned in a lower portion of the tank, an air feed communicating with the fluidizer, a discharge port in an upper portion of the tank, a tubular densifier mounted substantially vertically in the tank and extending from a lower portion thereof to adjacent the port, the densifier having an air inlet adjacent its lower end and an outlet adjacent its upper end in direct and immediate communication with the port, and, an air feed communicating with the inlet, the densifier having longitudinally spaced passages therein for the transfer of dust material from the tank into the densifier for transportation to the discharge port.

Abstract: A powder feeder for dispensing controlled amounts of powder into a gas stream in a supersonic plasma spraying environment utilizes a stir spindle and a feed impeller mounted on a rotatable first drive shaft at the bottom of a powder cannister to agitate and mix the powder and then dispense the powder in controlled amounts from an aperture in the bottom of the cannister as the first drive shaft is driven by a motor. The controlled amounts of powder dispensed through the aperture in the bottom of the cannister are directed by a conduit through an aperture in the upper end of a housing and into a plurality of slots circumferentially formed about the outer periphery of a feedwheel mounted within the housing to be rotatably driven by a second drive shaft which is also coupled to be driven by the motor.

Abstract: A product pump assembly including a product pump having a product receiving inlet, a product discharge outlet, a product chamber, and an air port. A cone-shaped feed valve in the product chamber is forced upwards against the inlet thereby sealing it when pressurized air is forced through the port into the chamber, during the evacuation cycle of the pump assembly. The pressurized air is deflected against the valve sweeping the product out of the chamber through the outlet and via a delivery line to the product collector. An ejector is energized during the fill cycle to withdraw the air from the chamber through the air port, thereby opening the valve and pulling the product into the chamber.

Abstract: A slurry of liquified gas such as carbon dioxide and finely pulverized coal particles is provided in a mixing chamber and discharged from the chamber into a pipeline for conveyance to a power plant. During discharge from the mixing chamber pressurized gas at a sufficiently high pressure is injected above the slurry mix to maintain adequate pressure during discharge and prevent cavitation at the inlet port of a pump employed in the pipeline. The slurry is depressurized at the downstream end of the pipeline by movement through a pressure reducer so that it is decompressed non-adiabatically and the coal and gas particles are separated. The gas remains at a low temperature and is passed in heat exchange relationship with cooling water from the power plant cooling tower to lower the temperature of same and consequently increase the efficiency of the power plant.

Abstract: A granular product to be dosed is introduced at the same time as a transfer liquid into a dosing chamber below a retaining grid, provided in the upper part thereof. The measurement of the pressure upstream of the dosing chamber makes it possible to detect the arrival of the product level with the grid and to stop the introduction thereof. An inverted U-shaped pipe forming a syphon then ensures the transfer of the dosed product into a tank, when the compressed air is injected into the dosing chamber above the grid.

Abstract: A process and apparatus of preventing the plugging of the discharge and/or suction line of an internal recycle pump utilized in an expanded bed reactor of the type having a partition transversely extending through the lower portion thereof and defining a plurality of substantially regularly and uniformly disposed perforations and communicating with a reaction zone above the partition and plenum chamber therebelow. The reaction zone contains a mass of particulate catalyst contact matter supported by the partition and placed in randon motion above the partition by a pressurized mixture of a liquid carbon containing material and a hydrogen rich gas flow passing through the perforations from the plenum chamber and by the internal recycle pump having a pump suction line generally concentrically disposed with respect to the reactor and extending through the partition into the reaction zone.

Abstract: A powder feeder, includes a cylinder body connected to a gas blow pipe for fluidizing a powder at its bottom portion; a porous plate crossing the lower portion of the cylinder body above a gas blow hole; a partition plate which divides the interior of the cylinder body into a powder supply side and a delivery side and has a slit for communicating the supply and delivery sides with each other at its upper portion; a powder supply pipe connected to the lower portion of the cylinder body at the supply side to be inclined downward toward a connecting portion; and a powder delivery pipe connected to the lower portion of the cylinder body at the delivery side to be inclined downward in a delivery direction.

Abstract: A method of filling a container continually under superatmospheric pressure with flowable granular solids and removing the solids from the container utilizing entrance and discharge locks provided for liquid filling of the locks, gas-pressure equalization between the locks and liquid transfer from the entrance to the discharge lock. A liquid/solid separator is provided for the outflow from the discharge lock and the recovered liquid is stored.