Apparatus and process for introducing a suspension into a reactor

An apparatus for introducing a predetermined volume of suspension into a reactor comprising:

• (a) a reactor,
• (b) a storage vessel maintained at a pressure P1,
• (c) an intermediate vessel connected to the storage vessel via a first conduit provided with a shut-off valve, said intermediate vessel having an internal capacity substantially equal to the predetermined volume of suspension, wherein the shut-off valve, the conduit and the intermediate vessel being so arranged that the volume of suspension can be transferred by gravity from the storage vessel to the intermediate vessel, and
• (d) a feed vessel connected to the intermediate vessel via a second conduit provided with a shut-off valve so arranged that the predetermined volume of suspension can be transferred by gravity from the intermediate vessel to the feed vessel and connected to the reactor maintained at a pressure P2 higher than P1, via a third conduit arranged at or close to the lowest part of the feed vessel and provided with an entry shut-off valve, the feed vessel being provided with a gas feed conduit and having a capacity sufficient to contain a volume of suspension and a quantity of gas under pressure such that the pressure difference between the feed vessel and the reactor enables the predetermined volume of suspension to be introduced into the reactor.