Abstract: A composite continuous feeder is arranged above a growth furnace and comprises a primary feeder and a secondary feeder. The primary feeder includes a feeding chamber, a first material holder holding a plurality of material bits and an elevator mechanism. The elevator mechanism is coupled to the feeding chamber and first material holder, and used to lift or lower the first material holder in the feeding chamber. The secondary feeder includes a second material holder also holding a plurality of material bits, a buffering discharger and a material discharging guide tube. The buffering discharger is arranged at the outlet of the second material holder to receive the material bits output therefrom. The material discharging guide tube discharges the material bits into the growth furnace. By using the primary and secondary feeders, the invention can apply to mono-crystal and poly-crystal growth furnaces and effectively control material feeding amount and speed.

Abstract: A charging device for charging a shaft furnace, including a rotary distributor and a variable drive for rotating the rotary distributor about an essentially vertical axis of rotation, where the rotary distributor includes a plurality of guiding members which form sliding channels for charge material, and where the rotary distributor comprises a junction slide from which each guiding member issues and which is arranged such that a flow of charge material slides via one specific guiding member in function of the velocity and/or the sense of rotation of the rotary distributor.

Abstract: A charging device for a shaft furnace, which includes at least one charging hopper having a discharge orifice arranged in a position off-centre with respect to the central axis of the shaft furnace, and a material distribution device arranged below this hopper. The material distribution device includes a feed channel coaxial with the central axis of the furnace and a rotatable, pivotable chute, which is arranged below the feed channel for distributing a charge in the shaft furnace. The charging device also includes a connecting box in the shape of a funnel, arranged between the material distribution device and the charging hopper. The connecting box possesses a lower central outlet communicating with the charging hopper and at least one upper inlet which is arranged off-centre with respect to the central axis of the furnace and communicates with the discharge orifice of the hopper.

Abstract: A multiple hopper charging installation for a shaft furnace includes a rotary distribution device for distributing bulk material in the shaft furnace by rotating a distribution member about a central axis of the shaft furnace and at least two hoppers arranged in parallel and offset from the central axis above the rotary distribution device. Each hopper has a lower funnel part ending in an outlet portion and each hopper has a material gate valve with a shutter member associated to its outlet portion.

Abstract: A feeder for feeding bulk material into a high pressure conveying line. The feed assembly comprises a rotary feeder that has a material inlet for receiving bulk material from a low pressure source and a material outlet for discharging the bulk material into a higher pressure conveying line which is a source of leakage gas into the rotary feeder. The feeder has venting means to vent leakage gas through the material inlet without such leakage gas contacting the bulk material entering the feeder.

Abstract: A pyrolysis gasifier includes a first auger (26) which moves carbon from a carbon collection tank (24) through an air lock valve (30) to a carbon holding tank (28). The gasifier includes an inner cylindrical sleeve (80) which is configured such that there is a small air gap between it and an interior wall of the gasifier (16). The air lock valve (30) includes an inlet member (96) which connects the housing to a connecting tube from the first auger (26). A plate (100) within the housing is mounted such that in a closed position, the plate is sealingly positioned against a lower edge of the inlet member (96), while in an open position, the plate is away from the inlet member, permitting carbon to move into the carbon holding tank. A fuel spreader apparatus 53 is positioned at the top portion of the gasifier. It includes a stirring rod (44) and two opposed fuel paddle assemblies (67, 69) at the lower end thereof to spread the fuel over the cross-sectional area of the gasifier.

Abstract: A method of charging coal into a chamber furnace-type coke oven. The coal is fed from a table feeder from a coal hopper so as to be dropped and charged into a carbonization chamber of the coke oven, through a charging cylinder. The coal fed from the table feeder is accelerated by rotation vanes at the initial stage in which the coal starts to drop. The vanes have a rotation center which is located upward on the exterior of a locus of the stream of free fall gravitated by the coal. The rotation speed of the vanes is progressively increased in the latter half of charging of the coal. The coal is thus allowed to accumulate in the carbonization chamber so that the bulk density of the coal in the vertical direction can become uniform. Also disclosed is an apparatus for charging coal into a chamber furnace-type coke oven. The apparatus includes a coal hopper for storing the coal therein. A table feeder feeds the coal from the hopper.

Abstract: A combination mechanical/pneumatic fuel feeder for feeding particulate fuel into a furnace and having a closely coupled hopper, fuel metering device, rotor and air swept delivery plate.

Abstract: The reactor for the gasification of the fuel in a fixed bed comprises a rotary distributor, which is disposed over the fixed bed and includes at least one outlet structure for the fuel. The outlet structure consists of a tube, which is formed at its lower end with two arcuate cutouts through which the fuel flows out approximately at right angles to the direction of movement of the tube. Each cutout lies in a plane which includes an angle of about 25.degree. to 50.degree. with the horizontal. The outlet end of the tube has preferably the same elevation on the leading and trailing sides of the tube.

Abstract: A three-armed spider frame is provided including depending supports at the free ends of its arms and a center mount outwardly from which the three arms radiate. An upwardly opening hopper is journaled from the frame for rotation about a central upstanding axis and includes a plurality of lower outlets spaced outwardly from and about the hopper rotation axis. Each of the outlets includes dispensing structure for dispensing fluent material discharged from the outlets in sector-shaped horizontal patterns and structure is provided whereby the horizontal patterns may be selectively angularly displaced about the corresponding outlets. Further, variable speed motor structure is drivingly coupled to the hopper for rotating the latter relative to the frame and the interior of the hopper is divided into a plurality of upwardly opening compartments each serving a corresponding lower outlet.

Abstract: An industrial furnace, for instance a heating and/or reducing furnace, arranged to treat material in powder or in small pieces and having a chamber with refractory walls to which energy is supplied by electric means and/or by combustion and into which the material to be treated is charged. The material is moved forward from an inlet orifice to a discharge orifice by a member provided with teeth which are preferably hollow and are cooled by water, air or vapor circulation.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump for feeding pulverized coal into a reactor of a high pressure coal gasification system is disclosed. The coal is pulverized and fed by conventional means into a hopper wherein that coal is mechanically pumped, by a modified screw which compacts the coal and releases entrained air and gases from that coal, to an impeller which serves to centrifugally sling the coal at high velocity into the reactor. Gases of the required type, pressure and quantity are combined with the coal at the point at which the coal is slung from the impeller in such a manner that the coal sufficiently dispersed and mixed with those gases and in proper form for gasification.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding bituminous schist to a series of retorts each equipped with a rotary distribution spout and a central feed channel, the retorts radiating from a central schist distributing tower. At least one hopper communicates with a central feed channel communicating with the retort, and is laterally offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the retort. Conveyor belts are provided for conveying schists from the central distributing tower to the hopper or the hoppers of each retort.