System, method and apparatus for controlling the flow direction, flow rate and temperature of solids

An apparatus for controlling flow of solids in a chemical process plant, comprising:

• a solids feed-pipe having an upper end which receives solids from an upstream source, and a lower end;
• a bed fluidly coupled to the lower end of the solids feed-pipe and configured to receive the solids from the solids feed-pipe, the bed including a first transport zone and a second transport zone, each transport zone being configured to receive transport gas from a transport gas source;
• a first discharge passageway adjacent to the first transport zone;
• and
• a second discharge passageway adjacent to the second transport zone;
• wherein fluidized solids are transported to the first discharge passageway and the second discharge passageway using the transport gas supplied to the first and second transport zones.

A method of controlling a flow of solids, comprising the steps of:

• receiving at a bed solids from a source;
• fluidizing the solids in the bed using a gas;
• and
• selectively transporting the fluidized solids to a first discharge passageway and a second discharge passageway by controlling a supply of transport gas to a first fluidizing zone of the bed associated with the first discharge passageway and a second fluidizing zone of the bed associated with the second discharge passageway.