Patent ID: 6726409
Filing Date: 2004-04-27
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A method for unloading particulate material from a container having a thermally-conductive shell, an outlet for particulate material and a material conveying conduit connected to said material outlet, which method comprises:(a) providing a pressurized gas inlet in the container; (b) providing a pressurized gas outlet in the container; (c) providing a cooled gas conduit between the pressurized gas outlet and the material conveying conduit; (d) providing a source of pressurized gas; (e) introducing pressurized gas into the container through the pressurized gas inlet; (f) directing the pressurized gas to flow across at least a portion of the thermally-conductive shell; (g) withdrawing the pressurized gas from the container through the pressurized gas outlet; (h) conducting the pressurized gas to the material conveying conduit; (i) discharging material through the material outlet into the material conveying conduit; (j) entraining the material that has been discharged through the material outlet with the pressurized gas in the material conveying conduit; (k) conveying the material through the material conveying conduit.