Patent ID: 6062094
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: B07B,G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for measuring a dust content of granules comprising:an elongate vertically oriented generally cylindrical hollow tower having an intermediate portion, a bottom portion with collection means for removing the granules from the tower at a distal end of the tower, and a top portion with an air exhaust means at a proximate end of the tower, the top portion adapted to detachably engage the intermediate portion;the tower intermediate portion further including a recirculation air inlet opening through a wall surface at a lower end of the intermediate portion, and means for introducing the granules in the tower intermediate portion, the means being located through the wall surface at an upper end of the tower intermediate portion;the tower intermediate portion further including inside the tower intermediate portion a plurality of horizontally oriented grates, each grate being secured in a predetermined space apart relationship between opposite ends of the tower intermediate portion;means for recirculating air through the elongate tower;the air exhaust means at the proximate end of the tower being in fluid communication with the means for recirculating air through the elongate tower, the means for recirculating air further being in fluid communication with the recirculation air inlet opening at the lower end of the intermediate portion thereby completing a recirculation path;filter means for filtering dust, the filter means being located inside the tower in a generally flat orientation parallel to the grates near the detachable engagement location of the intermediate portion with the top portion; andcontrol means for monitoring and regulating a flow of air through the recirculation path.