Abstract: An apparatus and related method for the recovery and the pneumatic transportation of dust coming from a filtration system provided with a particulate collection hopper. The apparatus comprises: an intermediate chamber for the passage of the particulate towards the evacuation means; and shutting means for a bottom opening (AP1) of said hopper. The apparatus is characterized in that the shutting means comprise, in turn, a shutter moved according to an arrow (ARW) by the action of intermittent pressurized air that flows in a control conduit forming part of said shutting means. Furthermore, the evacuation means comprise elements, specifically a nozzle aligned with a Venturi, to produce a pressure drop in the intermediate chamber.

Abstract: A vacuum transfer system having a weighing hopper mounted via at least one load cell to a frame. The weighing hopper is provided with an inlet connected via a product line to a product inlet hopper and a sliding outlet gate. An actuator valve is operatively connected to the weighing hopper and to a vacuum source. A controller is operatively connected to the actuator valve and also controls the opening and closing of the sliding gate. The product line comprises a flexible pipe section and a rigid pipe section pivotally mounted to the frame at a pivot disposed substantially vertically below the center of the flexible pipe section. In operation, the operator keys into the controller a target rate of product transfer and a target weight of product in the weighing hopper. The actuator valve applies vacuum to the weighing hopper in order to transfer the product from the inlet hopper to the weighing hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for feeding sliders (31) from a source of sliders to the slider insertion area (27) of at least two slider insertion devices (18, 19). A sensor (30, 52) on a sender track (20, 21) detects a lack of sliders (31) in the sender track. A signal is sent from the sensor (30, 52) to actuate a vibratory bowl (14) of sliders (31) and a plunger (35) to open a passage, thereby releasing the sliders (31) to a sender track (20, 21). When a sensor (46, 56) detects a lack of sliders (31) in a loading rack (25, 26) or a slider insertion area (27), the sensor (46, 56) signals a plunger (44, 58) and a pneumatic valve (48, 60) to open a passage to provide an air blast, thereby launching the sliders (31) onto the slider insertion area (27) of each slider insertion device (18, 19).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for feeding sliders (31) from a source of sliders to the slider insertion area (27) of at least two slider insertion devices (18, 19). A sensor (30, 52) on a sender track (20, 21) detects a lack of sliders (31) in the sender track. A signal is sent from the sensor (30, 52) to actuate a vibratory bowl (14) of sliders (31) and a plunger (35) to open a passage, thereby releasing the sliders (31) to a sender track (20, 21). When a sensor (46, 56) detects a lack of sliders (31) in a loading rack (25, 26) or a slider insertion area (27), the sensor (46, 56) signals a plunger (44, 58) and a pneumatic valve (48, 60) to open a passage to provide an air blast, thereby launching the sliders (31) onto the slider insertion area (27) of each slider insertion device (18, 19).

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

Abstract: A high density pneumatic transport system of solid materials from an airtight transport tank through a transport pipe into a collector. In the airtight transport tank materials are successively fed into a charge tank by reciprocating a slide damper. Simultaneously materials stored in the charge tank are successively pushed out into the transport pipe by supplying pressurized gas intermittently and transported continuously at high density through a lower horizontal pipe and a vertical riser pipe, then transported in the form of a long column in an upper horizontal pipe at a very low speed by deceleration by a divergent means, and finally collected into a storage tank of the collector.

Abstract: A continuous flow of particulate solids to a reactor is accomplished by first forming a heavy slurry in a storage tank, then transferring the heavy slurry to a mixing tank, where the heavy slurry is diluted to form a dilute slurry of desired density which can be continuously pumped to the reactor. Control of the particulate solids flow to the reactor is accomplished by calculating the flow rate of solid particles contained in the dilute slurry in an on-line computer, and comparing the calculated value to a desired value. The on-line calculation of particulate flow is based on the measured density and flow rate of the dilute slurry, and the predetermined densities of the dry particulate solids and the liquid diluent consituting the dilute slurry. The flow rate of the dilute slurry is continuously manipulated so as to maintain a desired flow rate of solid particles contained in the dilute slurry.

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: An improved method and related system for pneumatically transporting powdered or granular materials stored in an airtight storage container to a collector through a transport pipe in the form of a lengthy column in high density and at a slow speed by the use of pressurized gas. The method of the invention comprises the steps of stopping feeding of the pressurized gas when the whole of the powdered or granular materials corresponding to a final batch contained in the storage container are sent into the material transport pipe, simultaneously discharging the internal pressure of the storage container through a gas decompressing means, inserting a transport plug from the base end of the material transport pipe, and carrying forward the transport plug at a slow speed by feeding pressurized gas from the base end of the transport pipe.

Abstract: A material transfer system is provided having particular utility in cooperation with a liquid jet abrasive cutting system in which a continuous supply of abrasive, particulate material is required for abrasive cutting operations. Primary and secondary hoppers are provided for containing the abrasive particulate material, and the secondary hopper is suitably located at a position adjacent to the work station and remote from the primary hopper. The secondary hopper is provided with a first chamber and a second, lower chamber positioned beneath the first chamber.

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

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decomposing a sodium aluminate liquor supersaturated with alumina, obtained from alkaline action on bauxite by the Bayer process, is initiated by introduction of alumina trihydrate seed, thereby forming a suspension. The suspension is fed in at the top of a non-agitated reactor described as a "decomposer", and removed from the bottom of the decomposer; the speed at which the suspension moves downwardly is regulated at 1.5 to 10 meters per hour. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical-conical reactor which is fitted with an arrangement for feeding in the suspension at the top, and with an arrangement for taking out the suspension at the bottom. In one embodiment of the apparatus the suspension is taken from the base of the decomposer through an internal tube, with air injected into the bottom of it, is raised to the level of the top of the decomposer and is then sent downstream.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a pneumatic conveying apparatus wherein, with the material supply interrupted, a conveying pressure is numerically integrated and the reduction in the filling weight occurring in a specific period of time is determined. Before the beginning and at the end of the integration it is determined whether the filling weight is falling approximately evenly, i.e., whether any disturbing dynamic forces are overlying the filling weight. Such a calibration method permits alterations in the conveying capacity during the calibration.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding product to a pipeline via a venturi assembly has first and second tanks adapted to separately hold a quantity of product. The product is fed to the tanks from a supply hopper and enters each tank through an upper opening which accommodates a feed chute. The open end of each feed chute is closable by a flapper door which is swingable between open and closed positions. Pressurized air from a compressor is used to selectively close the flapper doors via a set of pressure valves which control the flow of air into the tanks. The product is fed from each tank to the pipeline through a Y-shaped housing and the venturi assembly. The housing has respective lower openings for each tank, also closable by swingable flapper doors. When the upper doors are closed by the air pressure, the product is forced out of the tank into the pipeline.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for pneumatically conveying solid particulate material which includes a vessel or blow tank which is supplied with particulate material to be conveyed from a suitable source. A riser pipe extends into the vessel and has a material inlet near the bottom of the tank with its other end flow connected to a transport line. A bottom discharge arrangement is also contemplated. Gaseous fluid under pressure is supplied into the vessel to pressurize the vessel and entrain and convey material through the riser pipe to the material transport line and to a remote use point. A by-pass line is provided for selectively connecting the pressurized inside of the vessel with the riser pipe/transport line at a point downstream of the inlet for material. This by-pass line serves to selectively vent gaseous fluid under pressure in the vessel to the material conveying line when system pressure exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: This invention presents apparatus and a method for controlling the contents and the filling of a distribution tank for pulverized material. The apparatus and method include structure for and the steps of weighing the distribution tank and an intermediate tank and structure for and the steps of sealing the connection between the tanks for transfer of material and separating the tanks for weighing.

Abstract: Equipment for the removal of air out of pulverulent materials before the product is packaged or transferred. The equipment comprises a storage silo (1), out of which the pulverulent material to be packaged flows readily into the packaging vessel placed underneath. At a distance from the tight exterior wall (8) of the packaging vessel, there is a metallic porous face of lining material (9), through which it is possible to remove air out of the packaging vessel or to feed pressurized air into the packaging vessel through the space between the exterior wall of the packaging vessel and the said porous face of lining material. The space between the exterior wall of the packaging vessel and the face of lining material is divided air-tightly, in the direction of progress of the pulverulent material, by means of partition walls, into at least two, preferably three, four or five compartments (3 to 7) separate from each other.

Abstract: An introduction process and apparatus is described concerning the continuous elution of a value, i.e. a metal value such as gold, from a particulate carrier by a counterflow of stripping liquid through the pressurized vessel in which the loaded particulate carrier is introduced to the vessel as a low velocity plug in a liquid carrier. The extraction process is also used with the continuous elution process in which the particulate material is extracted from the bottom part of a pressure vessel through a discharge pipe extending therefrom and in which a discharge liquid is introduced into the discharge pipe upstream of the discharge end under such pressure as to maintain a head of the discharge liquid upstream of that location and a flow of the liquid downstream from the location to transport the particulate material through the discharge pipe.

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 pneumatic material transference apparatus consisting of a closed hopper having a material inlet pipe at the top, a material outlet pipe at the bottom ending in a discharge chamber and a pneumatic operating system consisting of a valve chamber operatively connected to a control pipe, the upper end of which opens into the top of the hopper, the valve chamber having two valve seats, a valve disc associated with each valve seat, the valve discs being connected to each other by a valve stem such that when one disc is closed, the other one is open, a pressurized air supply chamber in cooperation with one of the valve discs and a vacuum chamber in cooperation with the other of the valve discs, an induction throat between the pressurized air supply and the discharge chamber, and a nozzle within the induction throat having an opening within the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A pulverized combustible material or ore is transported from a storage container, at atmospheric pressure, to the interior of a pressurized shaft furnace via three intermediate receptacles. The material is weighed in the first receptacle, pneumatically transported to the second receptacle, the second receptacle pressurized and the material transmitted under pressure to the third receptacle which is maintained at a pressure which is higher than the furnace pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle for receiving, transporting, measuring and delivering weighed amounts of flowable pulverulent material, such as wheat flour, has a blower which draws the material from a storage container to a selected one of a plurality of measuring containers where it is weighed and the weighed contents are then emptied by the blower for delivery to the customer, such as a bakery. A plurality of measuring containers are provided so that one may be filling while another is discharging. The vehicle is automated with sensing switches and valves regulating the operation.