Method for transferring particles
AssigneeUop LLC
InventorChristopher Naunheimer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. A valveless conduit provides particle communication from the upper zone to the middle zone and a valved conduit provides particle communication from the middle zone to the lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through the conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the middle zone, the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduit, and the valve in the valved conduit.
Claims19
A method for transferring particles from an upper zone, through a middle zone, to a lower zone comprising:
- (a) transferring particles downward from the upper zone to the middle zone through an upper valveless conduit;
- (b) increasing the middle zone pressure;
- (c) opening a valve in a lower valved conduit;
- (d) transferring particles downward from the middle zone to the lower zone through the lower valved conduit, and transferring gas from the middle zone upward through the upper valveless conduit into the upper zone;
- (e) closing the valve in the lower valved conduit;
- (f) decreasing the middle zone pressure;
- and
- (g) controlling the transfer of particles by use of at least one of a controller, a particle level sensor, a pressure gauge, a pressure indicator, a differential pressure sensor, and a timer wherein the upper zone is at a first pressure, the lower zone is at a second pressure, and the second pressure is greater than the first pressure.
A method for transferring particles from an upper zone, through a middle zone, to a lower zone comprising:
- (a) introducing a first gas stream into the lower zone;
- (b) transferring particles downward from the upper zone to the middle zone through an upper valveless conduit, and transferring gas from the middle zone to the upper zone through the upper valveless conduit;
- (c) introducing a second gas stream to the middle zone to increase the middle zone pressure;
- (d) opening a valve in a lower valved conduit;
- (e) transferring particles downward from the middle zone to the lower zone through the lower valved conduit, and transferring gas from the middle zone upward through the upper valveless conduit into the upper zone;
- (f) closing the valve in the lower valved conduit;
- (g) venting the middle zone to the upper zone through the upper valveless conduit to decrease the middle zone pressure;
- and
- (h) controlling the transfer of particles by use of at least one of a controller, a particle level sensor, a pressure gauge, a pressure indicator, a differential pressure sensor, and a timer wherein the upper zone is at a first pressure, the lower zone is at a second pressure, and the second pressure is greater than the first pressure.
A method for transferring particles from an upper zone, through a middle zone, to a lower zone comprising:
- (a) introducing a first gas stream into the lower zone;
- (b) transferring particles downward from the upper zone to the middle zone through an upper valveless conduit, and transferring gas from the middle zone to the upper zone through a first gas conduit;
- (c) transferring gas from the lower zone to the middle zone through a second gas conduit to increase the middle zone pressure;
- (d) opening a valve in a lower valved conduit;
- (e) transferring particles downward from the middle zone through the lower valved conduit to the lower zone, and transferring gas from the middle zone upward through the upper valveless conduit into the upper zone;
- (f) closing the valve in the lower valved conduit;
- (g) venting the middle zone to the upper zone through the first gas conduit to decrease the middle zone pressure;
- and
- (h) controlling the transfer of particles by use of at least one of a controller, a particle level sensor, a pressure gauge, a pressure indicator, a differential pressure sensor, and a timer wherein the upper zone is at a first pressure, the lower zone is at a second pressure, and the second pressure is greater than the first pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.