Patent ID: 8491228
Filing Date: 2013-07-23
Classification: B01J,B65G

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for conveying a particulate material from a first location to a second location within a gas stream under negative pressure, said apparatus comprising: a duct for conveying said particulate material from said first to said second location, a receiving vessel at said second location for receiving said particulate material, and a device located proximate a discharge end of said duct and comprising means for separating the stream of particulate material and gas into a first stream containing a relatively high proportion of particulate material to gas and a second stream containing relatively low proportion of particulate material to gas, and means for restricting the gas flow in said second stream; further comprising a pressure vessel located downstream of the receiving vessel, the pressure vessel separated from the receiving vessel by a valve selectively operative to permit the transfer of particulate material between said receiving vessel and said pressure vessel, a vacuum generating means for generating a vacuum in said receiving vessel, and a valve selectively operative to create a vacuum in said pressure vessel matching the vacuum in said receiving vessel; wherein the apparatus is characterized by a filling state, in which particulate material is received in said receiving vessel and said valve operative to permit transfer of particulate material between said receiving vessel and said pressure vessel is closed, and a transfer state, in which, following operation of the valve to create a vacuum in said pressure vessel matching the vacuum in said receiving vessel, said valve operative to permit transfer of particulate material between said receiving vessel and said pressure vessel is opened so that said particulate material is transferred from said receiving vessel into said pressure vessel without adjustment of the pressure in said receiving vessel.