Abstract:
An unloading system for transferring dry, bulk, particulate material from a ship, barge or the like to a conveyor system and ultimately to a storage silo. The particulate material is continuously transferred from the ship into a first pressure vessel or container which pressure vessel is operated under a constant vacuum or negative pressure. During the filling of the pressure vessel, particulate material is removed from the pressure vessel and sequentially transferred first to a temporary discharge container and then to a conveyor system. The alternating filling and emptying of discharge container continues while the pressure vessel is continuously filled.
Abstract:
Calcium silicate insulation is formed by a process which involves the transfer of the calcium silicate crystals from an autoclave to a holding vessel at a flow rate selected to minimize or prevent damage to the reaction product and through a flow passage such that heat can be removed from the reaction product to stabilize the reaction product prior to its arrival at the holding tank. The calcium silicate material produced by this process is particularly suitable for use as high temperature insulation and has a porosity of in excess of 84% and a permeability to gas of about 0.01% or less. The thermal conductivity of the reaction product is substantially lower than prior art calcium silicate insulations at high temperature.
Abstract:
Particulate or fibrous material, after treatment with gaseous reagents in a vessel under pressure in a continuous process, is discharged from the pressure vessel by entering a discharge conduit in pressure communication with the pressure vessel, and is conveyed through the discharge conduit by means of a feed conveyor located therein. The feed conveyor compacts the material to form a dense, substantially gas impervious plug thereof in the discharge conduit against the outlet end thereof. The outlet end of the discharge conduit comprises an exit passage of small cross-sectional area so as to cause compaction of the material therein by means of the conveyor. A valve means is provided, movable rapidly between a fully open position and a fully closed position to permit passage of the cooked material therethrough, from the dense, compact plug formed in the outlet end of the discharge conduit. Operating means is provided to move the valve rapidly between its fully open and fully closed positions, at predetermined intervals. In this means, the cooked material can be discharged intermittently at frequent intervals from a pressure vessel, allowing the pressure cooking process to be conducted continuously. The dense compact plug prevents reagent losses and pressure losses on discharge of the material. The process is particularly well adapted to the steam cooking of wood chips to produce fibrous cellulosic product.
Abstract:
The invention provides for an improved seal leg and method for transferring particulate solids in a non-fluidized condition from a first pressure zone to a second pressure zone while controlling the level of solids in the first pressure zone or in the seal leg. A relatively uniform pressure gradient is produced across the length of the seal leg by bleeding gas into or out of the seal leg along its length. Bleeding gas as aforesaid permits the use of a shorter seal leg and a smaller diameter seal leg for a given solids flow rate as compared to a seal leg not provided with means for bleeding gas in or out along its length. The pressure gradient along the length of a seal leg not provided with means for bleeding gas in or out along its length will be highly nonuniform resulting in retarded solids flow due to localized high pressure gradients and a low overall average pressure gradient resulting in a substantial length requirement for the seal leg to maintain a pressure seal.
Abstract:
Methods of conveying solid particles via an elongate tube from a supplying region at one pressure to a receiving region at a substantially different pressure. Movable sealing zones, comprising mixtures of solid particles and liquid, contact the inner wall of the tube and are carried along with the particles when forced by a ram from the tube into the receiving region. While the particles and sealing zones are being conveyed into the tube, a gate or an auger at the receiving region may substantially seal it from the tube. Typically the sealing zones are formed as thin disks or annular layers of fine coal particles and oil, where discrete coal charges are fed into a gasifier unit.
Abstract:
Particulate solids are fed into a pressure reactor operated under a pressure of 5-150 bars by means of a guide cylinder which is secured to the reactor and surrounds the reactor inlet. The guide cylinder is adapted to be closed and a stationary feed conduit is directed towards the guide cylinder. A cylinder container, which is gastightly guided in the guide cylinder and has a bottom which is adapted to be closed, is moved up and down in the guide cylinder and when the bottom of the cylinder is open and the reactor inlet is closed the material flows out of the container into the guide cylinder whereas the bottom of the container is closed and the same is moved toward the open reactor inlet to displace gases into the reactor. The device for carrying out the process includes a guide cylinder secured to the reactor and surrounding the reactor inlet. The guide cylinder is adapted to be closed. A stationary feed conduit is directed towards the guide cylinder and a container is gastightly guided in the guide cylinder and is movable up and down therein and has a bottom that is adapted to be closed.
Abstract:
A method for continuous feeding of dry coal particles from essentially atmospheric pressure to the superatmospheric pressure level of a coal gasifier or coal liquefaction reactor is achieved by a series of screw feeding devices each partially boosting the pressure level of the coal in stages to provide the dry coal at reactor pressure.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for transferring solid materials between zones at substantially different pressures which includes, generally, an intermediate vessell or lock hopper which contains a liquid and can be filled with and emptied of solids, two valves, one at each end of the lock hopper, a solids feed device, and a pump to maintain liquid level in the system. In operation, the valve at the upper end of the lock hopper is opened while the valve at the lower end thereof is closed, thereby permitting solids to be transferred into the lock hopper which contains a liquid such as water. The solids displace some of the liquid, and the displaced liquid rises above the top valve and overflows into a collecting vessel. The top valve then is closed, and a pump adds or removes liquid until the pressure in the lock hopper is close to the reactor pressure. The lower or bottom valve is opened after the pressure differential is compensated for, allowing the solids to drop into a feeder which conveys the solids to the reactor. The liquid level in the feeder and the lock hopper is maintained by the pump to replace the volume of solids fed. This liquid level is maintained at a sufficient height to inhibit gas flow into the lock hopper, and is independent of operating pressures. After solids discharge, the bottom valve is closed and the top valve opened, and the cycle is repeated. For continuous solid feed, two or more valved lock lock hoppers can be used in tandem to feed solids to the feeder.
Abstract:
A material handler for a high pressure autoclave includes a combination of a body and a dished in cross section material carrier relatively arranged in a telescoping manner. The material carrier can be withdrawn from the body to a carrying position or telescoped into the body to eliminate the volume of the carrier. The body and carrier move in a passage to alternately position the carrier at a material transfer opening or in the autoclave. The carrier is telescoped into the body after material is removed therefrom, and while still in the autoclave, to eliminate its volume and avoid transferring atmosphere from one position to the other. The body and carrier combination has a sealed engagement in the passage.