# US 2018/0023809 A1 · Pressure vessel and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0023809 A1 - Document ID: US20180023809A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/695,635 - Filed: 2017-09-05 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2010-08-31 - Assignees: Gas Technology Institute - Applicants: Gas Technology Institute - Inventors: Timothy SAUNDERS - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180023809A1 ## CPC - F23K 3/00: Feeding or distributing of lump or pulverulent fuel to combustion apparatus - F23K 2203/006: Fuel distribution and transport systems for pulverulent fuel - Y10T 137/86035: Combined with fluid receiver - F23K: FEEDING FUEL TO COMBUSTION APPARATUS (fuel feeders specially adapted for fluidised bed combustion apparatus F23C10/22) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A pressure vessel includes a pump having a passage that extends between an inlet and an outlet. A duct at the pump outlet includes at least on dimension that is adjustable to facilitate forming a dynamic seal that limits backflow of gas through the passage. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pressure vessel comprising: a pump including a passage having a generally constant cross-sectional area between an inlet and an outlet and defined on two sides by respective belts that are moveable along the passage; and a duct at the outlet and having a predetermined cross-sectional area that is approximately equal to the cross-sectional area of the passage, wherein the duct and the passage of the pump both include non-circular cross-sections. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pressure vessel as recited in claim 1, wherein the uniform width and the uniform depth are substantially perpendicular to a centerline of the passage of the pump. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The pressure vessel as recited in claim 1, wherein the length is substantially parallel to a centerline of the passage of the pump. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The pressure vessel as recited in claim 1, wherein the duct includes at least one wall that is movable to influence pressure that the wall exerts on a dynamic seal responsive to a detected gas pressure in the pump. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The pressure vessel as recited in claim 1, further comprising an actuator operatively connected with at least one wall of the duct to adjust at least one of the length, the uniform width along the length and the uniform depth along the length. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The pressure vessel as recited in claim 1, wherein the duct includes at least one wall having a first wall section and an adjacent second wall section that is movable relative to the first wall section. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The pressure vessel as recited in claim 1, wherein the duct adjoins the outlet and is defined by fixed walls. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The pressure vessel as recited in claim 1, wherein the predetermined cross-sectional area of the duct is within +/−10% of the cross-sectional area of the passage. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The pressure vessel as recited in claim 1, wherein the duct includes a duct passage defining a length, a uniform width along the length and a uniform depth along the length, at least one of which is adjustable. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The pressure vessel as recited in claim 1, further comprising a sensor within the pump and a controller in communication with the sensor and operable to adjust at least one of the length, the uniform width along the length and the uniform depth along the length to influence pressure that the duct passage exerts on the dynamic seal responsive to a detected gas pressure in the pump from the sensor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The pressure vessel as recited in claim 1, wherein the passage of the pump and the duct passage both have rectangular cross-sections. ### Claim 12 A pressure vessel comprising: a passage extending between a low pressure inlet and a high pressure outlet, the passage having a generally constant cross-sectional area between the low pressure inlet and the high pressure outlet, the passage being defined on two sides by respective belts that are movable along the passage, wherein the passage has four sides and a non-circular cross-section; and a dynamic seal within the passage and consisting essentially of consolidated particulate material, wherein the dynamic seal is within a duct at the high pressure outlet of the passage and the duct defines a length, a uniform width along the length and a uniform depth along the length, at least one of which is adjustable. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The pressure vessel as recited in claim 12, wherein the consolidated particulate material is coal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The pressure vessel as recited in claim 12, wherein the duct and the passage of the pump both have rectangular cross-sections. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The pressure vessel as recited in claim 12, wherein the passage of the pump has a rectangular cross-section. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The pressure vessel as recited in claim 12, wherein the passage of the particulate pump and the duct passage both have rectangular cross-sections.