Patent ID: 6132157
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: B01J

Abstract:
Apparatus for filling a portable multiple compartment catalyst charging hopper having wall means and partition means defining a plurality of equal volume measuring compartments such that the measuring compartments contain substantially identical volumes of catalyst, comprising:(a) a base structure;(b) a bulk hopper being supported by said base structure and having a discharge outlet;(c) a discharge gate being supported for movement relative to said discharge outlet by motive means and being movable to an open position permitting discharge of catalyst from said discharge outlet and being movable by said motive means to a closed position blocking the discharge of catalyst from said discharge outlet;(d) a trolley platform being supported by said base structure;(e) a trolley being movable on said trolley platform and being adapted for support of a portable catalyst charging hopper and being movable between a start position where the portable charging hopper is manually accessible and a fill position where the portable catalyst charging hopper is positioned beneath said discharge outlet for receiving catalyst from said discharge outlet;(f) a mechanized trolley actuator being mounted to said base structure for moving said trolley and said portable catalyst charging hopper from said start position to said fill position and for returning said trolley and said portable catalyst charging hopper from said fill position to said start position; and(g) a catalyst leveling element being selectively positionable relative to said portable charging hopper for removing excess catalyst from the portable catalyst charging hopper during said returning of said trolley and said portable catalyst charging hopper from said fill position to said start position.