Method and device for the feeding of finely divided solid matter to a gas-containing vessel
AssigneeShell Oil Company
InventorMaarten J. van der Burgt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for introducing finely divided solids, especially particulate coal, into a gas-containing vessel, utilizing a centrifugal pump having a feed inlet and a rotor. The rotor is surrounded by a second gas of lower density than the first gas in the vessel in order to reduce friction. The second gas can be at a lower pressure or a lower molecular weight than the first gas, low pressure hydrogen being preferred.
Claims14
A method of continuously feeding finely divided solids to a vessel containing first gas, comprising the steps of:
- (a) feeding finely divided solids into a rotor rotatably arranged in the vessel;
- (b) rotating said rotor so that the solids are discharged therefrom into the vessel;
- and
- (c) surrounding at least a portion of the rotor with a layer of a second gas having a lower density than the first gas present in said vessel and maintaining said second gas separate from said first gas.
An apparatus for the feeding of finely divided solids to a gas-containing vessel comprising:
- (a) a rotor rotatably arranged in the vessel;
- (b) a feed inlet to said rotor for introducing finely divided solids into said rotor;
- (c) said rotor having means for discharging the finely divided solids therefrom into the vessel;
- and
- (d) a shield surrounding at least a portion of said rotor and forming a virtually gas-tight sealed space between the rotor and a first gas present in the vessel for receiving and maintaining a second gas therein separate from the first gas in the vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.