Pneumatic particulate material fill systems and methods
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsChad Adam Fisher, Calvin Lynn Stegemoeller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Pneumatic particulate material fill systems and methods are disclosed. A particulate material fill system includes a cyclone separator having an inlet adapted to receive pneumatically conveyed particulate material. The cyclone separator has a first outlet adapted to vent air and a second outlet adapted to discharge solids. The particulate material fill system includes a tank adapted to receive solids discharged from the cyclone separator via the second outlet. The tank is adapted for use at atmospheric pressure.
Claims16
A pneumatic particulate material fill system comprising:
- a cyclone separator having an inlet adapted to receive pneumatically conveyed particulate material, where the cyclone separator has a first outlet adapted to vent air and a second outlet adapted to discharge solids;
- and
- a tank adapted to receive solids discharged from the cyclone separator via the second outlet, wherein the tank is adapted for use at atmospheric pressure;
- a conveyor having an inlet adapted to receive solids from the second outlet of the cyclone separator, and having an outlet adapted to discharge particulate material inside the tank;
- a receptacle disposed inside of the tank;
- and
- a metering feeder disposed at least partially within the tank and adapted to deliver particulate material from the receptacle at a substantially uniform rate.
A method for accurately metering and conveying particulate material, the method comprising:
- pneumatically conveying a stream of particulate material to a cyclone separator;
- venting air from the stream via a first outlet of the cyclone separator;
- discharging particulate material from the stream via a second outlet of the cyclone separator;
- and
- transferring the particulate material to a tank with a conveyor, wherein the tank is adapted for use at atmospheric pressure;
- and
- supplying a metering conveyor with the particulate material, wherein the metering conveyor is disposed at least partially within the tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.