Active solids supply system and method for supplying solids

A method for transporting solids comprising:

• (i) providing a solids deaeration zone and a solids pump zone, wherein said solids deaeration zone is in flow communication with said solids pump zone, said solids deaeration zone comprises (a) a roller system comprising a plurality of porous roller assemblies, or (b) a belt system comprising a plurality of porous belt assemblies, operable to deaerate and convey the solids to said solids pump zone, said solids deaeration zone is capable of being pressure regulated, and said solids pump zone comprises a solids pump operable to transport said solids,
• wherein the solids pump zone is comprised of a belt (tractor) pump, and the tangential velocity of the solids at the porous roller assemblies or porous belt assemblies in the solids deaeration zone is from 80% to 120% of the tangential velocity of the solids at the belt assemblies of the solids pump zone;
• (ii) deaerating the solids in the solids deaeration zone, wherein said solids become sufficiently compacted prior to and upon entry into said solids pump zone to be effectively conveyed through said solids pump zone;
• and
• (iii) pumping the solids in the solids pump zone to an application.

A solids supply system comprising:

• (i) a solids deaeration zone, the solids deaeration zone comprising an inlet duct and opposing walls;
• and
• (ii) a solids pump zone, said solids deaeration zone being integrated with said solids pump zone;
• wherein said solids deaeration zone is integrated with said solids pump zone;
• said solids deaeration zone and said solids pump zone comprising a belt system comprising a plurality of porous belt assemblies, each porous belt assembly including a porous drive sprocket operating in both said solids deaeration zone and said solids pump zone, each porous belt assembly having a radius at the porous drive sprocket, the belt system being operable to deaerate the solids, wherein said solids become sufficiently compacted prior to and upon entry into said solids pump zone to be effectively conveyed through said solids pump zone;
• wherein a distance between an outside wall of the inlet duct and an opposing wall is from about 0.2 times to about 1.2 times the radius of a porous belt assembly at the porous drive sprocket;
• wherein said solids deaeration zone is capable of being pressure regulated;
• and
• wherein said belt (tractor) pump is operable to convey said to an application.