Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for removing catalyst, absorbents and other materials from a reactor, guard bed, or other refinery or petrochemical vessel via a robotic or remotely operated device. A vacuum hose is connected to the device for removing the material from the vessel for ex-situ regeneration or disposal. The device moves around on the surface of the catalyst using motorized screws that grip to the catalyst material. The device is powered by hydraulic, pneumatic or electric motors attached to the frame of the device with supply and return hoses extending in and out of the vessel in line with the vacuum hose.

Abstract: Apparatus including a support; first tubular conduit of gas impermeable material having open and closed ends providing an axially disposed passageway with at least one radial outlet; a second tubular conduit of gas permeable material encompassing and spaced from such first tubular conduit, having closed ends, providing a first annular passageway communicating with the radial outlet; a third tubular conduit of gas impermeable material mounted on such support, encompassing and spaced from such second tubular conduit, providing a second annular passageway having open and closed ends and having an inlet at such closed end, a helical member mounted coaxially on such second tubular member, and a device for rotating the first tubular conduit and method using same wherein air under pressure travels from the axially disposed passageway, through the radial outlet into the first annular passageway and through the gas permeable material into the second annular passageway.

Abstract: A system for use in a gasification system comprises an increasing pitch screw feeder and a high-pressure vessel disposed about said increasing pitch screw feeder. The high-pressure vessel comprises an inlet for connection to an outlet of a solid pump and a conveyance gas line and an outlet through which solid fuel delivered from the solid pump is transported to a gasifier. The outlet is downstream of the solid pump and the conveyance gas line.

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: An apparatus includes a feed chamber for feeding of material from storage bunkers and a lifting device for lifting the material to a high level. The lifting device includes a delivery end to which a transport line for conveying the material away to a remote delivery point can be connected, a pressure vessel having a vertical conveyor that begins in the feed chamber and ends in a top region of the pressure vessel, and a discharge pipe beginning in a bottom region of the pressure vessel and leading out of the pressure vessel. The apparatus also includes a pressurizing device which pressurizes the pressure vessel via a first valve and activates a conveying air nozzle of the discharge pipe via a second valve, and a controller for filling the pressure vessel via the vertical conveyor, fluidizing the material via the pressurizing device, and conveying the material away via the transport line.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the conversion of biomass to oxygenated hydrocarbons. More particularly, an improved biomass feed system or process for conveying biomass to a reactor for conversion to oxygenated hydrocarbons is provided. The provided system or process utilizes a spool piece adapted to convey solid particulate biomass from a lower pressure to a higher pressure. The spool piece conveys the solid particulate biomass material either directly to a reactor operated at or below the higher pressure or first to a vibratory feeder and then to such reactor. The vibratory feeder can include a bowl and an outlet spout extending tangentially from the bowl.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging bulk material from a container containing gas includes a single-shaft screw conveyor including a conveying tube having an axis of symmetry. A purge tank is disposed downstream of the screw conveyor with the conveying tube opening into the purge tank. The purge tank includes ports for a supply and discharge of a purge gas stream and an outlet opening for the bulk material. A closing cone with a cone tip and an axis of symmetry is shiftably mounted on its axis of symmetry. The closing cone is pressed with the cone tip from outside into an outlet opening of the conveying tube. The axis of symmetry of the closing cone coincides with the axis of symmetry of the conveying tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for pneumatically conveying a bulk material which does not flow readily in which an input device variably meters the bulk material into a lateral conveyor until it is partially filled, and then a mechanical conveyor, in combination with the simultaneous introduction of compressed gas into the lateral conveyor, empties the bulk material partially filling the lateral conveyor, rendering the bulk material conveyable.

Abstract: A metering assembly is provided for use with an air seeding system for delivering one or more particulate materials to an air seeding apparatus, the air seeding system comprising a product tank, configured to hold a particulate material and having an outlet, the metering assembly comprising at least one metering device, the metering device having a housing, an inlet positioned in the housing to receive particulate material from the outlet of the product tank, a first loading zone and a second loading zone, and a flow controller provided beneath the inlet and operative to route particulate material that has entered the metering device through the inlet in a first direction towards the first loading zone and in a second direction towards the second loading zone.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a feed chamber for feeding of material from storage bunkers and a lifting device for lifting the material to a high level. The lifting device includes a delivery end to which a transport line for conveying the material away to a remote delivery point can be connected, a pressure vessel having a vertical conveyor that begins in the feed chamber and ends in a top region of the pressure vessel, and a discharge pipe beginning in a bottom region of the pressure vessel and leading out of the pressure vessel. The apparatus also includes a pressurizing device which pressurizes the pressure vessel via a first valve and activates a conveying air nozzle of the discharge pipe via a second valve, and a controller for filling the pressure vessel via the vertical conveyor, fluidizing the material via the pressurizing device, and conveying the material away via the transport line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for pneumatically conveying bulk material which does not flow readily, in which: bulk material is metered by means of one or more input device(s) (8) into a lateral conveyor (1); and the bulk material in the lateral conveyor is subsequently emptied via a transport line (19) wherein the metering of the bulk material into the lateral conveyor (1) is achieved by means of the input device(s) (8) and the emptying of the lateral conveyor (1) is effected with simultaneous action of a mechanical conveyor (9) in the lateral conveyor and inflowing compressed gas (17), with the mechanical conveyor (9) having a narrow clearance with respect to the lateral conveyor (1), so that the lateral conveyor is substantially emptied during the emptying process.

Abstract: An ice delivery system includes an ice bin with an ice maker thereon. An auger dispenses ice from the bin and agitators within the bin prevent blockage. The agitation may follow a pattern depending on the location of the agitators with some about the periphery less employed than those adjacent the auger. An ice gate receives ice and flowing air to direct the ice pneumatically to a multistation diverter. The flow through the diverter is vertically downwardly. Tubes from the diverter convey ice to remote dispensing stations. The dispensing stations have prechambers with drains and lockable gates to advantageously receive ice for delivery into the remote station bins or block the ice storage area to allow cleaning. Conduit couplings are configured to connect tubing without creating an area of ice blockage or allowing the buildup of contamination. Germicidal lights or ozone may be used in the ice bin to avoid contamination.

Abstract: Rotating conveyor for the evacuation of metallic shavings resulting from mechanical work processes comprising a collection container in which is able to rotate a motorised bucket above whose bottom wall is positioned the lower end of an evacuation conduit connected to an aspiration unit, for instance pneumatic. A stationary conveying member extends between the vertical axis of rotation of the bucket and the lower end of the evacuation conduit to convey the shavings below it.

Abstract: An ice delivery system includes an ice bin with an ice maker thereon. An auger dispenses ice from the bin and agitators within the bin prevent blockage. The agitation may follow a pattern depending on the location of the agitators with some about the periphery less employed than those adjacent the auger. An ice gate receives ice and flowing air to direct the ice pneumatically to a multistation diverter. The flow through the diverter is vertically downwardly. Tubes from the diverter convey ice to remote dispensing stations. The dispensing stations have prechambers with drains and lockable gates to advantageously receive ice for delivery into the remote station bins or block the ice storage area to allow cleaning. Conduit couplings are configured to connect tubing without creating an area of ice blockage or allowing the buildup of contamination. Germicidal lights or ozone may be used in the ice bin to avoid contamination.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing and distributing loose particulate material includes a system for applying an agent to the loose particulate material. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a container for holding and transporting the loose particulate material to the site of application. A feeder regulates the flow of loose particulate material out of the container. Loose particulate material exiting the feeder is blown out of the apparatus through a hose by an air stream produced by a blower. An agent is introduced via a carrier fluid to the air stream carrying the loose particulate material, whereby the resulting mixture of the agent with the carrier fluid is then mixed with the loose particulate material carried by the air stream.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a particulate material having an upstream source of particulate material, a delivery device disposed downstream of the upstream source of particulate material and communicable with the source for delivering the particulate material from the source to a discharge conduit, conveying device communicable with the discharge conduit for conveying the particulate material through the discharge conduit, the delivery device and the conveying device being cooperable to form an incremental batch of dischargeable particulate material downstream of the delivery device.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel carrying apparatus for carrying spherical objects such as spherical semiconductors of silicon in which the spherical objects are not contacted with an inner surface of a pipe-shaped body while they are being carried in the pipe-shaped body. The carrying apparatus for carrying spherical objects is provided with a spiral current generating means for generating a spiral current of fluid, and the spiral current generated by the spiral current generating means is introduced into a passage of the spherical objects. The spiral current generating means includes a rotary shaft 3 in which a carrying passage 2 is formed in a direction of the central axis and a spiral groove 3b is formed at a predetermined position on the outer circumferential surface. Further, in the rotary shaft 3, a jet pipe 3a connecting the carrying passage 2 with the spiral groove 3b is formed.

Abstract: For transferring bulk goods from a screw conveyor to a pneumatic conveyor, use is made of a cellular feeder. The shafts of the cellular feeder and the screw conveyor are preferably substantially parallel. The outlet of the screw conveyor is formed as a longitudinal slot formed in the casing of the screw conveyor and being of a length which is at least twice the length of the pitch of the feeding screw, and communicates with the inlet port of the cellular feeder for throwing out and discharging the goods substantially radially. The outlet of the cellular feeder is formed at an angular distance from the inlet port of the cellular feeder and is adapted to discharge the goods substantially axially and is connected to or forms the inlet of the pneumatic conveyor.

Abstract: A powder coating apparatus and method feeds fine powdered coating material such as thermoplastic type material to a succession of discrete articles passing by the apparatus which includes a vibratory feeder bowl and a spiral track for delivering a substantially constant supply of powder coating material to the articles, wherein the powdered coating material is mixed with a pressurized airstream that delivers the powdered coating material to the articles. A sensor is also used to regulate an amount of powdered coating material supplied to the auger to the vibratory feeder. The invention also provides a powder feed system that deposits an excess of powdered coating material than that required to form the coating and provides for recirculation of the powder not ultimately used to form the coating back to the powder feeding apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is disclosed for measuring the mass flow of pneumatically conveyed particles along a transport tube 14. The apparatus includes a fluidized bed of the particles 16 and an application device or collection box 18. The improvement comprises means for unfluidizing the fluidized particles in communication with the fluidized bed. Additionally, one or more augers 22 are provided for delivering particles at a predetermined air pressure in predetermined amounts in communication with the means for unfluidizing and one or more pumps 24 are provided downstream from the one or more augers 22. A sensor 26 is downstream from the one or more pumps. The particles then are conveyed from the sensor to the collection box. A method is also provided to measure the mass flow of pneumatically conveyed particles along a transport tube with an apparatus which includes a fluidized bed of the particles and a collection box.

Abstract: A powder coating apparatus feeds fine powdered coating material such as thermoplastic type material to a succession of discrete articles passing by the apparatus which includes a vibratory feeder bowl and a spiral track for delivering a substantially constant supply of powdered coating material to the articles. A sensor is also used to regulate an amount of powdered coating material supplied by an auger to the vibratory feeder. The invention also provides a powder feed system that deposits an excess of powdered coating material than that required to form the coating and provides for recirculation of the powder not ultimately used to form the coating back to the powder feeding apparatus.

Abstract: A powder feeding device for feeding powder at a constant rate has a container for storing a powdered material and a discharge device mounted in the container at a lower portion thereof for discharging the powdered material from the container at a constant rate. A vibrator is mounted on the container or on a wire net mounted in the container to separate air from the powder. The powder may be supplied from a powder tank to the powder container.

Abstract: Pneumatic conveying apparatus and method are described to provide for a simple, economical, convenient (and preferably automatic) system for conveying small pieces of frozen food (e.g., chopped vegetables, diced meat, or preferably ice cubes or crushed ice) on an as-required basis to one or more locations remote from a food source. The system is configured such that dispensing locations can be added or eliminated from the system or temporarily taken "off line" from the system without the need to change the basic system configuration or the central food providing apparatus. The apparatus includes a food source, a feed auger (preferably reversible) for moving the food from the source into the conveying conduit, use of pressurized air to convey the food through the conduit, and a receiver bin in the terminal container to collect the conveyed food for subsequent dispensing or use. Appropriate sensors and controllers, which may be microprocessor-based, may be used to automate the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing loose materials, such as insulation or fireproofing in worksite areas, may be used for depositing a single or premixed loose material. Alternatively, the apparatus may be used both for combining two constituent loose materials to form a composite loose material and for depositing the composite loose material in a worksite area. The apparatus includes a separate hopper or bin for each of the constituent loose materials. Each hopper is operatively connected to a single loose material combining channel for supplying their respective constituent loose material for forming the composite loose material immediately before it is deposited in the worksite area. A single motor is used for supplying both constituent loose materials to the combining channel. The ratio of constituent loose materials in the composite loose material may be changed by replacing an easily accessible gear used in driving an auger for extracting the constituent loose material from one of the hoppers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a silo unloader which combines the advantages of both a single auger unloader and a double auger unloader and substantially eliminates the disadvantages of both, to create a silo unloader that is very efficient and effective. Only a portion of the unloader's auger arms has dual augers working therewith while the remaining portion has a single auger. The dual auger functionality is positioned at the end of the auger where most freezing and compaction occurs, thus creating a very aggressive auger at this point. Additionally, the blower of the present silo unloader is positioned at an angle above the augers. This allows for the use of an efficient closed bottom blower in a double auger system while also allowing the placement of the two augers substantially next to each other. By placing the two augers in close proximity to one another reduces the overall width of the auger arm, thus creating a more efficient auger arm.

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 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: The labyrinth seal coal injector is a safe, cost-effective means of continuously injecting dry, sized, coal and other mined materials into a pressurized hydraulic pipeline for transport. The injector consists of a rotor or screw rotated by a motor. Coal is compacted in the injector and forms a hydraulic seal against the pressure in the pipeline. A knife valve is used in initiation of the flow of coal into the pipeline.

Abstract: A truck including a container used to transport and dispense loose particulate materials. A moving floor is located on the floor of the container to move loose particulate materials within the container into a feeder and dispensing system. The container includes two opposing augers mounted on the inner surface of a rear door of the container. The augers feed loose particulate material within the container to a mixer. The mixer helps to break up the loose particulate material to keep it from bridging as it drops into a feeder. The feeder regulates the flow of loose particulate material into a mixing chamber. A high volume air blower is connected to the mixing chamber. The blower forces a high volume of air through the mixing chamber and out of the mixing chamber into an attached hose. As loose particulate material drops into the mixing chamber, it mixes with the air flow and is blown out of the attached hose.

Abstract: A device for dispersing and metering fibers which includes a frame, a hopper mounted on the frame and having an inlet opening for receiving fibers therein. A screen is provided through which the fibers from the inlet opening must pass for separating any existing fiber clumps into a size not exceeding a size predetermined by the screen. A primary fluffing device is provided for creating a uniform dispersion of fibers within the hopper. An outlet opening is provided for allowing the fibers to exit the hopper. A controllable metering device is provided in the outlet opening for transporting a metered quantity of fibers out of the hopper through the outlet opening. A housing structure is connected to an outlet end of the metering device, the housing structure including an air inlet opening into the housing and a secondary fluffing device inside of the housing for further reducing in size any fiber clumps to separated discreet fibers.

Abstract: An improved extrusion conditioning apparatus (10) includes an extrusion and cooker (12) and a closed loop pneumatic conditioning system (14) operatively coupled with the cooker (12). The closed loop system (14) includes a hood (16) disposed about the extruder outlet, together with first and second conduits (20, 22) operatively coupled with the hood and a cyclone separator (18); and a fan (24) and a heater (26) are operatively interposed within the conduit (22). In use, extrudate from extruder (12) is picked up by positive pressure air currents created by the fan (24), and such product is then conveyed to the separator (18) for separation thereof. The separated air then returns to the hood (16) via the conduit (22), and is heated during such return passage. Use of a largely positive pressure, heated air conveying system (14) minimizes product contamination by airborne microorganisms, while at least partially sterilizing the product prior to drying thereof.

Abstract: A pneumatic pellet transportation apparatus loads a predetermined quantity of dry ice pellets into an empty container while simultaneously evacuating the containers of dead air. The apparatus includes an aerator for fluidizing the dry ice pellets into a moving stream of compressed air. A container interface unit directs the fluidized dry ice pellets into an opening provided in the container. A method of using the pneumatic pellet transportation apparatus includes deactivating an auger well before the aerator is deactivated in order to clear the vacuum insulated transport conduit for efficient utilization of dry ice pellet resources.

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: A device for dispersing and metering fibers which includes a frame, and a hopper mounted on the frame and having an inlet opening for receiving fibers therein. A screen is provided through which the fibers from the inlet opening must pass for separating any existing fiber clumps into a size not exceeding a size predetermined by the screen. A primary fluffing device is provided for creating a uniform dispersion of fibers within the hopper. An outlet opening is provided for allowing the fibers to exit the hopper. A controllable metering device is provided in the outlet opening for transporting a metered quantity of fibers out of the hopper through the outlet opening. A housing structure is connected to an outlet end of the metering device, the housing structure including an air inlet opening into the housing and a secondary fluffing device inside of the housing for further reducing in size any fiber clumps to separated discreet fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying powder. The apparatus includes a hopper for receiving powder, a mechanical conveyor, a sifter and a ribbon blender. The mechanical conveyor delivers powder from the hopper to the sifter. The ribbon blender, which is situated below the sifter for receiving powder from the sifter, has two or more outlets for discharging powder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conveying and discharging bulk material including a material feed hopper, a screw conveyor, a transition area and a rotary air valve. The feed hopper is divided by a diverter which distributes feed material into the two ends of a trough having a converging screw conveyor. The converging screw conveyor distributes feed material into a transitional holding area for feeding into a rotary air valve. The rotary air valve has a helical vane design and is equipped with at least one cutting knife to control the amount of bulk material distributed in the pockets between the vanes. A blower provides pressurized air flow into and through the rotary air valve. The pressurized air carries the bulk material from the rotary valve through a conduit to discharge the bulk material at a remote distance.

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: The amount of finely divided particulate solids added to a stream of fluid to form a mixture of the particulate solids and the fluid is determined by a method comprising (a) determining the temperature and quantity of fluid in a stream of fluid; (b) determining the temperature of the particulate solids; (c) determining the temperature of the mixture; and (d) calculating the amount of the particulate solids in the mixture. The method can also be used to control the amount of finely divided particulate solids added to the stream of a fluid. The fluid is at a different temperature than the finely divided solids.

Abstract: A dry bulk cement storage and mixing system comprises one or more generally cylindrical storage tanks or bins having somewhat wedge shaped bottom discharge sections with tapered flight conveyor screws extending across the diameter of the bin at the convergence of opposed sloping sidewalls of the bottom section. The conveyor screw is connected to a pneumatic fluidizing plenum wherein compressed air is introduced into the plenum for conveying material to a mixer or recirculating the material back into a selected storage tank through a distributor device mounted on top of the tank which distributes the material to minimize segregation of smaller or less dense particles during discharge of the material into the storage tank. One embodiment of the storage tank is mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis and includes a transversely extending cement unloading and vent conduit extending within the tank chamber.

Abstract: A powder constant-volume feeder includes a canister having on the inner surface thereof a fin for transferring powder upwards and is inclined to form a return portion for the powder which has been transferred by the fin. A bucket wheel has a plurality of buckets for continuously transferring the powder from the interior of the return portion to a powder hopper. The powder hopper receives the powder from the interior of the buckets of the bucket wheel. A constant volume of powder can thus be fed continously at a constant bulk density.

Abstract: Carbonaceous solids such as coal and oil shale are fed to a high temperature processing vessel without bridging and plugging problems interrupting the flow of the solids into the processing vessel by passing the solids at a controlled rate from a feed vessel into a first conduit communicating with the feed vessel. The solids are then passed through the first conduit into a second conduit which communicates with the first conduit and the processing vessel, and which contains a scraper for scraping the inside walls of the conduit. The pressure in the feed vessel is maintained at a level higher than that in the processing vessel by passing a sufficient amount of a gas into the feed vessel such that the solids are passed through the second conduit into the processing vessel in dense phase pneumatic flow as the scraper scrapes the inside walls of the second conduit thereby preventing any bridging or plugging from occurring.

Abstract: A process for the transport of powdered or particulate material from a container, such as a tank of a ship, via its upper opening to a separately disposed delivery location. The transport occurs with a transport apparatus which is provided with a feed head (31) for the detachment and feeding of material to the transport apparatus at its material intake end. The feed head pushes the material laterally inwards into the lower end of an upwardly directed transport pipe (30) just above an upwardly directd air current for fluidizing of the material gradually as it is pushed into the transport pipe and for transport of the material in the height direction through the transport pipe in a fluidized condition. The feed head is preferably provided with two diameterially opposite material feed openings for pushing the material from opposite directions towards the central axis of the transport pipe.

Abstract: Silo for storing solidify loose material, especially flue ash, which has a conveyor which can be moved on the surface of the stored material and which feeds the material loosened there to a conveyor device located in the silo which brings it to an exit opening provided on the silo floor. This conveyor device is simply and effectively constructed in accordance with the invention by forming it by a falling series of aeration devices on an essentially vertical silo wall. This silo wall is advantageously the circumference of a column provided in the center of the silo. In a first embodiment the mechanically separated and pneumatically loosened material passes through slideless openings into the inner space in the column, from which it is removed at the bottom. In a second embodiment the aeration devices are arranged on the circumference of the column in such a compact series that they result in the formation of an emptying column which follows the column surface and is filled by material fluidized by aeration.

Abstract: A control valve assembly for controlling particulate solids feed upward into a fluidized bed reactor, utilizing a purged valve seat mating with a poppet head and valve stem having a vented clearance space. The valve seat surface and a stem clearance space are each purged by a clean externally supplied gas, the solids flair in an elbow-shaped passageway are fluidized by air supplied through booster nozzles, and the valve stem is operated by a pneumatic actuator. A particulate solids material such as coal is transferred by a screw conveyor through a horizontal conduit, and then fed through the elbow-shaped passageway and the poppet valve seat upwardly into the reactor fluidized bed.

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 centrifugal pump for transferring solid particles from a low pressure zone into a high pressure zone comprises a centrifugal rotor and a housing that are each rotatable about a central axis. The rotor debouches particles into the interior of the housing and a screw conveyor is arranged in the housing for transporting particles along the inner surface of the housing to an outlet which is coaxial to the central axis.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for feeding a crushed or pulverized solid supply material such as coal or the like, from a supply source under ambient pressure into a reactor or the like which is under significantly higher pressure; such as in connection with a hydrogenation/oxidation process producing so-called "fuel" or "synthesis" gases. A liquefied gas such as carbon dioxide or the like, is fed under pressure into a moving supply of such materials (as may be contained in a closed casing screw conveyor/extruder or the like) in order to form a slurry which is suitable to be pumped into the receiver against its superior pressure. Process temperatures are so controlled that as the input liquefied gas component of the slurry migrates toward the lower pressure feed inlet end of the conveyor in response to the superior pressure at the discharge end of the conveyor, it solidifies into solid particles which intermingle with and substantially fill the interstices between the supply material particles.

Abstract: In a system for moving large quantities of pulverulent material from receiving hoppers, such as those of a fly ash precipitator, into a pressurized air conveyor pipeline, separate auger conveyors move material from a first line of receiving hoppers and from a second line of receiving hoppers downstream into gravity material inlets at opposite ends of an effectively airtight pressure conveyor casing. In the casing auger conveyor flights of opposite hand and substantially smaller than the casing means it toward a central outlet through which it drops into the pressurized air conveyor pipeline. Above the outlet the auger conveyor shaft has radial material agitating rods. The system is cycled to alternately feed material into the pressure conveyor casing at receiving hopper pressure, which is about atmospheric pressure, and out of the pressure conveyor casing at pipeline pressure.

Abstract: A garbage conveying system is provided. The system has upstream and downstream ends and includes a plurality of remote terminals adapted to receive garbage at a plurality of locations, a central terminal for receiving garbage from each of the remote terminals, and a plurality of remote terminal valves positioned between each of the remote terminals and the central terminal for selective isolation of one or more of the remote terminals.

Abstract: The steam expander conveys the expanding heat expandable thermoplastic elements along a horizontal axis using a plurality of paddle frames. The paddle frames serve to agitate and tumble the elements during movement from an inlet to an outlet. At the same time, steam is injected into the housing of the expander to expand the elements. The expanded elements can be drawn off via a vacuum line to an overhead hopper or hoppers.