Continuous multi-chamber process

An installation for carrying out a continuous multi-stage industrial process that carries out at least two successive stages of the process under a different pressure in an earlier stage than in a later stage, which is downstream from the earlier stage, the installation comprising:

• a first chamber defining a first space and comprising a first wall;
• a second chamber, disposed spaced apart downstream from the first chamber and separately from the first chamber, the second chamber defining a second space and comprising a second wall, wherein the second space excludes the first space;
• and
• a first connecting channel forming a pressure tight connection between the first chamber and the second chamber, the first connecting channel comprising a wall in a direction of travel from the first chamber to the second chamber, the wall forming a pressure tight, enclosed channel between the first chamber and the second chamber,
• wherein the first connecting channel elongates between a first end and a second end disposed downstream from the first end,
• wherein the first connecting channel is open at the first end and at the second end and is otherwise pressure tight and sealed against leakage through the wall of the first connecting channel, and
• wherein the first connecting channel contains a free-flowing intermixed material comprising process material and granular transport material that are intermixed in relative proportions sufficient to form a granular, free-flowing and trickling mixture that is passing through the first connecting channel from the first space and into the second space to form a trickling sealing zone within the first connecting channel to maintain a pressure difference between the first space and the second space.