Feeding apparatus for creation of one or more plugs of compressible material for feeding into a gasifier or reactor

A feeding apparatus for creation of one or more plugs of compressible material for feeding into a gasifier or reactor, the apparatus comprising:

• a piston feeder comprising at least three pistons configured to pre-compress and convey compressible material;
• a mouthpiece serving as a non return valve in communication with the piston feeder and having an inlet end configured to receive at least partly compressed material from the piston feeder, wherein the inner diameter of at least an inlet section extending from an inlet end of said mouthpiece increases towards an exit end, so that an angle between the inner wall of at least the inlet section and the longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece is larger that 0° but less than or equal to 3°;
• a braking device situated at the exit end of the mouthpiece with friction means for regulating the final degree of compression of the material;
• wherein at least two pistons are configured to pre-compress and convey the compressible material to a third piston and the third piston is configured to convey and further compress the material through the mouthpiece to the braking device to form a plug of compressed material which functions as a safety seal.