Patent ID: 7191807
Filing Date: 2007-03-20
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for handling bulk particulate material, comprising: a reservoir hopper including a gas-permeable liner lining at least a portion of said reservoir hopper, at least one gas inlet configured for connecting said reservoir hopper to a pressurized flow of gas; a transition and pipe assembly in fluid communication with and configured for receiving material from said reservoir hopper, said transition and pipe assembly having an outer conduit, an inner conduit, and at least one gas inlet, said outer conduit being substantially impervious to gas, said inner conduit being permeable to gas, said inner conduit disposed within and surrounded by said outer conduit, each said at least one gas inlet configured for connecting said outer conduit to a pressurized flow of gas; and a first variable-orifice non-contact valve configured for controlling a flow of material by a curtain of gas from said transition and pipe assembly.