Clog-resistant entry structure for introducing a particulate solids-containing and/or solids-forming gas stream to a gas processing system

A clog-resistant inlet structure for introducing a gas stream to a gas processing system, said inlet structure comprising:

• a wall enclosing a gas flow path, including an upper wall section enclosing an upper section of the gas flow path, and a lower wall section enclosing a lower section of the gas flow path;
• a gas delivery tube arranged to receive the gas stream for flow therethrough, said gas delivery tube (i) being positioned within the gas flow path, (ii) extending axially into and through at least a portion of the upper section of the gas flow path enclosed by the upper wall section, and (iii) terminating in the gas flow path at an outlet end that is arranged to discharge a laminar flow of the gas stream into the lower section of the gas flow path;
• and
• means for introducing a shrouding gas in the upper section of the gas flow path, for flow of the shrouding gas from the upper section of the gas flow path to the lower section of the gas flow path in co-annular laminar flow to the gas stream flowing through the gas delivery tube and discharged at the outlet end thereof into the lower section of the gas flow path, so that a laminar axial flow of the shrouding gas shrouds the laminar flow of the gas stream discharged from the gas delivery tube.