Abstract: A bladder for retaining material to be stored within a bladder tank. The bladder comprises a flexible enclosure comprising a floor portion connected to one or more wall portions, and a leak retention enclosure having upper and lower edges sealed to the flexible enclosure to create a sealed chamber between the flexible enclosure and the leak retention enclosure. Leakage of material from within the flexible enclosure adjacent to the sealed chamber is received within the sealed chamber and retained by the leak retention enclosure.

Abstract: A fluidizing butterfly valve. The fluidizing butterfly valve includes a valve body and a fluidizing valve disk or member configured to fluidize material located above the butterfly valve and/or material moving through the butterfly valve.

Abstract: A powder feed apparatus for a powder spraycoating equipment includes a dense phase powder pump fitted with at least one, or two feed chambers. Each of the feed chambers includes at one chamber end a powder intake valve and at the opposite chamber end a powder outlet valve and further includes at least one air exchange aperture to alternatingly apply compressed conveying air or a partial vacuum to the feed chamber. The apparatus further includes an integral structural block. The structural block includes the feed chambers and first control valves connected in fluid communication to at least one of feed chambers for the purpose of applying compressed conveying air and a partial vacuum to it. The first control valves are directly connected, in fluid communication via ducts constituted in the structural block, to at least one of the feed chambers.

Abstract: A dense phase 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.

Abstract: Methods, processes, and apparatuses for the large scale synthesis of carbon nanostructures are provided. Metal catalysts having small diameter and narrow distribution of particle sizes are prepared and continuously injected as aerosols into a reactor. The metal catalysts are supported on supports that are substantially free of carbon. The metal catalyst, in the form of a powder, is placed in an injector that is shaken vertically. The powder is aerosolized, and the powder entrailed in the gas is passed through a conduit that is bifurcated where one portion delivers the powder to the reactor while the other portion connects back to the ejector that is located in between the gas source and the top part of the container.

Abstract: Process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28).

Abstract: The coating-powder-supply apparatus according to the invention comprises a powder-storage container, a powder conveyor, in order to convey powder out of the powder-storage container, and a set of scales, in order to weigh the powder located in the powder-storage container.

Abstract: Process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28).

Abstract: A coating powder feed unit containing a powder pump which in a suction operating mode aspirates coating powder into a powder chamber (30) and in a pressure operating mode expels coating powder by means of compressed air out of the powder chamber (30). Said unit includes a pressure tester (64) measuring the compressed air pressure and generating a test signal based on the measured compressed air pressure.

Abstract: A dense phase powder pump includes a valve body that houses one or more pinch valve elements. The valve body comprises a sufficiently transparent material to allow an operator to visually observe operation of the pinch valves.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28).

Abstract: The hydraulic elevation apparatus and method of the present invention incorporate a multiple chamber framework internally disposed preferably within at least one single shaft structure, which facilitates movement of object transport containers within the multiple chamber framework. Preferably, fluid elevation is employed to elevate object transport containers and their contents within the multiple chamber framework. Each single shaft structure may be constructed from an existing rehabilitated shaft, or a newly drilled shaft. The present invention may be utilized in vertical or incline lifting environments, and an auxiliary hoist chamber may be incorporated into the multiple chamber framework for use as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, elevating objects by employing fluid elevation. The present invention may be employed in a variety of heavy lifting scenarios, including underground mining or in above ground lifting environments.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28).

Abstract: The invention pertains to a vessel (1) for storing particulate matter, such as pulverised coal or fly ash, comprising a main part (2) and, at its bottom portion, at least one discharge device (3), which comprises a converging outer shell (10) and a permeable, converging inner shell (14) positioned in the outer shell (10), the discharge device (3) being connected to the main part (2) by means of a first flange (9) at or near the lower rim of the bottom portion of the main port (2) and a second flange (11) at or near the upper rim of the outer shell (10). The inner shell (14) is secured to the inner wall of the outer shell (10) of the discharge device (3), preferably to the inner wall of the second flange (11). Thus, the number of gaskets is reduced and/or the positioning of the inner shell becomes less critical.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying fluidized high temperature finely divided dry material by gravity utilizes a multi-layered, gas permeable gas distributor member comprising (i) an upper layer a flat, rigid gas permeable, porous medium capable of withstanding temperatures up to about 2900° F. through which gas to fluidize the material will pass; (ii) a middle layer comprised of a gas permeable insulation material that maintains its physical integrity when exposed to temperature differentials ranging from about 500° F. to about 2900° F.; and (iii) a lower layer that supports the top and middle layers comprising a substantially flat plate having a plurality of openings therethrough through which fluidizing gas can pass.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28).

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28).

Abstract: A fluidizing mat has an upper, micro-perforated sheet and a lower gas impermeable sheet. The upper and lower sheets are maintained in spaced apart superimposed relationship by a plurality of spaced-apart load bearing means, e.g. encapsulated air bubbles, which define a plurality of passageways that extend in different directions over substantially the full area of the fluidizing mat and intersect with each other to form a single continuous chamber between the upper and lower sheets.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28).

Abstract: This invention is a method for operating fluidized beds, such as used to convey powdered material, wherein the fluidizing gas flows are pulsed or vibrated to help initiate and maintain fluidization. The invention maintains the fluidization effects by preventing channeling or ‘rat-holing’ in a powder bed by oscillating gas pulse frequencies in the 0.5 to 300 hertz range. The invention further is directed to efficient conversion of the energy contained in the pressurized gas flow to vibrational energy. The invention describes devices capable of feeding one or more fluidized-beds from a compressed (pressurized) gas supply, thus conserving energy and increasing mass transfer within the beds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for distribution of fluidisable materials from a reservoir (1) of materials to one or more material receiving units. In accordance with the invention the distribution system has at least two hydraulic levels between the reservoir and the material receiving units. The system further includes a novel fluidising element with good dynamic response properties. The system may preferably be used for distribution of alumina and/or fluoride to feeding equipment in electrolysis cells with a reduced consume of fluidising gas.

Abstract: Device for the floating accommodation of a wafer. This device comprises two mutually opposite parts which delimit a chamber in which the wafer is placed. By gas being supplied from opposite sides, the wafer is held in a floating position. To prevent the wafer from touching the lateral boundaries, it is proposed to provide a discharge of gas at least partially near the circumference of the chamber wherein the wafer is accommodated. This discharge is realised such that if the wafer moves from the intended position to such a gas discharge, by closing of said gas discharge, the pressure is locally increased such that a force is generated acting in opposite direction to return the wafer in the intended position.

Abstract: A pneumatic storage tank for storing, transporting, and discharging pulverulent or powdered material or the like including a tank having a cylindrical side wall and upper and lower concave heads enclosing and sealing opposite ends of the cylindrical side wall, the tank adapted to be supported in a vertical position, a plurality of slope sheets within the tank, the slope sheets being sealed to the cylindrical side wall around the full circumference of the cylindrical side wall, the slope sheets being inclined downwardly from the cylindrical side wall to the central region of the tank adjacent the lower concave head of the tank, a plurality of air slides within the tank, the air slides disposed along the slope sheets between the slope sheets and extending from the cylindrical side wall of the tank downwardly toward the central region of the tank adjacent the lower concave head of the tank, wherein the slope sheets and the air slides separate the tank into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, an inlet p

Abstract: A water slide for semiconductor wafer processing minimizes water usage by confining water to flow within spaced-apart grooves in the absence of a wafer. When a wafer passes down the water slide, a meniscus of water formed above the grooves is spread out to occupy the space underneath the wafer and prevent it from contacting the water slide as the wafer travels down the water slide.

Abstract: A device for removing residual deposits from storage vessels by moving the deposits radially inwardly to a central outlet in the floor of the vessel. The device includes a sweep arm pivotably connected about the central outlet at its inner end and extending outwardly generally parallel with the floor. The sweep arm includes a ramp which plows the deposits up onto a perforated platform which is sloped inwardly towards the outlet. Air pressure is provided into a plenum chamber under the platform so as to create a bearing for the deposits to transverse from the platform to the outlet. A motive drive force is provided so as to pivot the sweep arm about the central outlet thereby plowing the deposits from the floor to the platform and conveying them into the outlet.

Abstract: A floor mat and a container liner which incorporates the floor mat are used in shipping containers that are used to transport compactible powders. The floor mat comprises an upper planar non-flexible sheet and a lower gas impermeable planar sheet held in spaced apart superimposed relationship by a plurality of rigid ribs which extend between the upper and lower planar sheets to form an array of channels that extend substantially the full area of the floor mat. The channels are opened at one end and closed at the other. A gas manifold has an upper portion and a lower portion, each of which join respectively to the upper and lower planar sheets about the open ends of the channels in a manner so as to enable a flow of gas to be provided thereto. The floor mat is secured to the container when in use. The upper planar sheet and the upper portion of the manifold have a plurality of micro-perforations.

Abstract: An air permeable pad to help load a bulk cargo into or unload a bulk cargo from a cargo container including a body and a hose. The body, in turn, includes a first, gas permeable layer and a second, gas impermeable layer. The two layers of the body are connected together and form an interior and a seal extending around that interior. The hose is connected to the body of the pad in communication with the interior thereof to conduct gas into or out from that interior. In use, one or more of these pads is installed in or on a cargo container or vehicle to help load a bulk cargo into the container and/or to help unload a bulk cargo from the container. More specifically, to help load a bulk cargo into a container, air is drawn from that cargo, via the air permeable pads and associated hoses, to compact the cargo therein, reducing the volume of space occupied by a given mass of the bulk cargo.

Abstract: A separator for separating two or more materials of which one or more consist(s) of a particulate, fluidisable material such as aluminum oxide, from a material which can not be fluidised such as nails, tools, coke, pieces of wood, and lumps of oxide. The separator comprises a chamber (1') in which are located one or more screens (7, 9) and one or more fluidising/transport channels (8, 10) underneath, at angles established in advance. The separator has no movable parts.

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 valve device for medical fluid transfer and methodology utilizing the valve device provides a multi-purpose needle free valve assembly and bottle or IV port adapters for multiple medical use requirements. The adapters being suitable for insertion into IV ports, medicine bottles or vials and IV luer lock connectors. The valve device assembly for fluid transfer is used within administration structures for medical purposes utilizing a needle free syringe as the transfer apparatus, the needle free syringe being mateable with the valve device assembly in a first connector and when inserted, the syringe tip opens the valve by compression of the valve head or piston and valve springs allowing for two-way communication between the barrel of the needle free syringe and the IV ports, medicinal bottles or vials and IV luer lock connectors.

Abstract: A waste collecting/removal apparatus having a bin with a forward waste outlet opening, a rearward air flow inlet, a plurality of adjustable inclined louvres spaced from the bottom of the bin and an air flow plenum below the louvres to cause air flow between the louvres to move the waste material in the bin upwardly and forwardly toward the outlet opening.

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: The suspension density and mass flow rate of a particular solids and gas mixture transported to a reactor is controlled by using a radiation source and detector. The suspension density is measured and compared to a preselected value. The result is converted to a control signal which may be used to control venting from the vessel, and/or the amount of aeration gas supplied to the lower portion of the vessel, in order to maintain the suspension density at the preselected value and provide a constant mass flow rate.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for establishing and maintaining a uniform mass flow rate of particulate solids and gas mixture from a container to a receiving reactor. A preferred embodiment utilizes a plurality of porous inserts in the walls of the container through which a gaseous fluid is forced thereby contacting particulate solids within said container and enhancing the flow of said solids.

Abstract: A porous filter pad for use in conjunction with a fluid pressure conveying system is disclosed. The porous filter pad includes a rigid, self-supporting molded plastic body having a predetermined elongated shape with opposed walls. Openings of a predetermined porosity are provided along one wall and openings of a predetermined smaller porosity are provided along the other wall. Inner tortuous pathways within the molded plastic body interconnect the openings between the opposed walls. The molded plastic body includes a plurality of molded and bonded particles which are formed in close proximity to one another at least along the wall having the openings of predetermined smaller porosity and are compressed into a more compact and dense relationship as a coherent mass with the openings of predetermined smaller porosity therein.

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: Injection of gas into a bed of solids contained in a hopper is compartmentalized to allow independent control of gas to be vented upward and gas and solids to be discharged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bulk material silo and method operating such silo, the silo being provided with a central discharge chamber from which a venting channel leads to the peripheral wall of the silo, the side walls of the channel having openings of the material to enter. Such a silo construction ensures a symmetrical material supply to the discharge chamber over the entire periphery.

Abstract: A fluidation kit for retrofit installation on a pneumatic outlet for a railway covered hopper car is disclosed. The outlet includes an outlet pan having downwardly sloping walls. The kit includes at least one air permeable fluidizing membrane on the inside face of the outlet pan wall to fluidize a powdered or pulverant lading. An externally mounted manifold assembly is attached to outside surfaces of the outlet pan for connecting the air permeable fluidizing membranes on the inside surfaces of the downwardly sloping walls of the outlet pan to a source of fluidizing air. The air permeable fluidizing membrane is supported in a peripheral extending frame member which supports the air permeable fluidizing membranes a small predetermined distance above the sloping wall surfaces to provide a plenum therebetween for diffusing fluidizing air throughout the entire extent of the air permeable fluidizing membrane.

Abstract: The emptying device for a bulk silo (1) with flat or slightly inclined silo bottom (8) comprises an outer slope (2) and open air transport grooves (7) distributed over the silo bottom (8). The air driven conveying chutes (7) extend radially to a ventilated annular chamber (3) located inside the outer slope (2) of the silo bottom (8), the bottom of which annular chamber is provided with open air driven conveying chutes (4) and is inclined toward the discharge opening (5). The bottom of the annular chamber (3) is located lower than the silo bottom (8).

Abstract: A bag-filling machine, in which the material to be filled is conveyed by compressed air through a filling tube, has a storage cylinder which is closed at its underside by a grid-like floor having ventilation apertures. The filling tube is fitted above the floor in the peripheral wall of the storage cylinder. An improvement in the flow of the material to be filled and a more complete emptying on termination of the filling procedure are achieved if the floor is formed from at least three segments. Below the segments, sealed relative to one another, respective specifically associated compressed air supply chambers are disposed which are each provided with a regulatable compressed air supply.

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

Abstract: The pneumatic conveyor for grain consists of a horizontal conveying space, which accepts the falling grain at one end and whose discharge end terminates in an upward-narrowing vertical conveyor tube adjacent to the horizontal conveyor line, the grain being conveyed on a flow tray by a bypass flow or mechanically into the lower part of the vertical tube.

Abstract: A hopper is provided having longitudinally spaced tapered end walls and transversely spaced tapered side walls. An opening is provided in one of the end walls and a discharge conduit is attached to the external surface of this end wall. On the internal surface of this end wall a discharge trough is attached. The front surface of the trough is tapered on the same incline as this end wall. Fluidizing membrane assemblies are attached to each of the side walls which are inclined downwardly toward the discharge conduit to facilitate lading flowing into the discharge conduit during unloading. The discharge trough is generally in the form of an inverted V, with the lower edges of the V spaced from the lower hopper wall a distance sufficient to allow air and lading to pass around the trough and into the discharge trough.

Abstract: For the controllable removal of bulk materials from containers, a device is provided with a gas-permeable lining facing the bulk material, which lining is mounted on a support under the container outlet, with a gas connection mounted on the support, and with a shut-off device or valve element. To achieve uniform material flow from the outlet without high expense for mechanical devices with the smallest possible structural dimensions, even for bulk materials with poor ability to flow, according to the invention, the support (7) with the gas-permeable lining (9) attached to it is designed at least partly as a valve element (5) for the container outlet (3), and that the valve element (5) is movable while clearing the container outlet (3) at least partially.

Abstract: A process for mixing materials in bulk comprises the continuous and simultaneous withdrawal, through discharge openings distributed about the periphery of a mixing silo, of the material in such a manner that the vertical velocity of the descending material increases progressively about the periphery of the silo. Apparatus in accordance with the invention comprises a mixing silo having a relatively large number of discharge openings and means for insuring that the velocity differences in the material being withdrawn through adjacent openings is relatively small whereby the variation in material vertical velocity from the lowest to the miximum value will occur over a large number of discharge openings.

Abstract: An improved vertical cylindrical pneumatic tank for storage and transfer of pulverulent material of the type having inclined slope sheets, air slides, and an air inlet line, which improvement comprises an air manifold coupling the air inlet line to the air slide for directing air to the air slide in a closed system, and a pressure resistant filling material, such as foam, surrounding the manifold and filling the lower compartment for supporting the slope sheets and preventing pulverulent material from entering the lower compartment of the tank.

Abstract: A railway car for transporting pulverulent lading includes a fluid-tight container, slope sheets mounted within the container defining two troughs leading to a sump in the lower portion of the container, two aligned permeable conveyors in the bottom of each trough, an apparatus for alternately aerating each permeable conveyor in each trough for fluidizing the lading to facilitate movement thereof into the sump. Discharge valve structure is provided below the sump for pneumatically unloading the container pipe for pressurizing the space between the slope sheets and the container, and a pipe interconnecting the top of the container and the discharge valve structure for conveying air from within the container to the discharge valve structure during unloading of the container, are also provided.

Abstract: A fluidized bed discharge bin comprises a removable closure covering an opening in the bottom of the bin. The interior surface of the closure is covered by an air-permeable sheet whose outer perimeter is held between the bin opening and the closure. Spacing means are disposed on the surface of the closure to space at least a portion of the air-permeable sheet from the closure. Aerating fluid is introduced into the bin via an inlet in the closure which is located in close proximity to the location where the spacing means is spacing the air-permeable sheet from the interior surface of the closure. The aerating blower system includes a control for supplying aerating fluid to the bin in the form of successive aerating pulses and provision is made for causing an initial surge of pressure to be imparted to the beginning of each aerating pulse which is greater than the nominal aerating pressure. Plural embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: A silo for bulk material in which a cover defines at least one de-aerated space constituting a conveyor area accessible to the material to be conveyed, with at least one pneumatic conveyor chute extending at least partially in the conveyor area and toward an outlet opening, and an air-draining area above the conveyor area and beneath the cover, separated from the conveyor area by a partition that is permeable to air and checks the passage of the material.