Apparatus for transporting particulate materials from a lower level to a higher level

Abstract

A method of and apparatus for transporting particulate materials from a lower level to a higher level are disclosed, the method comprising: establishing a flow loop comprising a closeable chamber for receiving batches of the particulate materials, a first flow conduit extending upwardly from the chamber to a delivery level, a second flow conduit extending upwardly from the chamber to a header tank located at a higher level than said delivery level, and valve means at the chamber for selectively isolating the chamber from the first and second flow conduits; filling the flow loop with a pseudoplastic flotation fluid; operating the valve means to isolate the chamber from the first and second flow conduits; introducing a charge of the particulate materials into the chamber and then closing the chamber; operating the valve means to connect the first and second flow conduits to the chamber; and maintaining a supply of fluid in the header tank such that fluid and entrained particulate materials flow from the chamber through the first flow conduit to the delivery level.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.