Flow measuring and metering device for flowable granular solids

A volumetric flow measuring and metering device for flowable solids, the device comprising:

• a cylindrical tube providing a flow passage of a circular cross-section and that is generally arranged vertically and has opposite open top and bottom ends through which a flow of bulk material may be passed;
• an optical sensor disposed to measure a speed of the bulk material flowing through the passage and output a data signal having information about a speed of the bulk material flow;
• an obturating device positioned at the bottom end of the flow passage and movable in a linear direction toward and away from the bottom end;
• an actuator operable connected to the obturating device and operable to selectively position the obturating device relative to the bottom end of the flow passage;
• a controller, the speed sensor and the actuator operably connected to the controller and the controller operating to receive speed data from the speed sensor and to operate the actuator at least in part based on information contained in the speed data about the speed of the bulk material flowing through the passage;
• and
• a user interface operably connected to the controller.

A method for measuring the volumetric flow of a bulk material comprising the steps of:

• providing a flow passage that is generally arranged vertically and has opposite open top and bottom ends through which a flow of bulk material may be passed, a speed sensor disposed to measure a speed of the bulk material flowing through the passage and output a data signal having information about a speed of the bulk material flow, an obturating device positioned at the bottom end of the flow passage and movable in a linear direction toward and away from the bottom end, an actuator operable connected to the obturating device and operable to selectively position the obturating device relative to the bottom end of the flow passage, and a controller, the speed sensor and the actuator operably connected to the controller and the controller operating to receive speed data from the speed sensor and to operate the actuator at least in part based on information contained in the speed data about the speed of the bulk material flowing through the passage;
• causing a flow of bulk material to flow in the flow passage in a consolidated, column-like flow by positioning the obturating device in a position relative to the bottom end of the flow passage such that the consolidated, column-like flow is induced in the bulk material flowing through the flow passage;
• measuring the speed of the consolidated, column-like flow by the speed sensor and outputting a data signal having information about the measured speed;
• and
• calculating a volumetric flow rate of the bulk material flowing through the flow passage by the controller by at least using the data signal from the speed sensor.