System for handling bulk particulate materials

A transport line adapted for pneumatically conveying a bulk particulate material comprising:

• a first elongated tube formed of a gas permeable material, having an inlet communicable with a vessel containing said bulk particulate material;
• a second elongated tube formed of a gas impervious material encompassing and spaced from said first tube about the periphery thereof;
• a plurality of transversely disposed, longitudinally spaced partitions between said first and second tubes, forming a plurality of isolated chambers encompassing said first tube;
• each of said chambers having means for selectively introducing a fluidizing gas therein independently of the other of said chambers, at various volumes and pressures whereby the volume and pressure of said fluidizing gas diffused through said first tube may be modulated along the length thereof;
• and
• means for injecting a flow inducing gas into said first tube.

A section adapted for connection to at least one other section in end-to-end relation which provides a transport line adapted for pneumatically conveying a bulk particulate material comprising:

• an inner tube formed of a gas permeable material and provided with a pair of end walls, each connectable to a similar end wall of a similar section;
• an outer tube formed of a gas impervious material disposed between said end walls and cooperating with said inner tube and said end walls to define a chamber encompassing said inner tube adapted for mating engagement with a chamber of said at least one other section;
• and
• said chamber having means for selectively introducing a fluidizing gas at variable volumes and pressures therein, independently of said at least one other section.