Patent EA-003121-B1 (EA)
Title: Method and apparatus for pneumatic material conveying
Inventor: SNOWDON BRIAN
IPC: B63B27/34
Filed: 2000-06-14
Abstract: 1. A method of conveying a non-free flowing paste comprising loading the paste into a vessel and applying a compressed gas to the vessel to cause, the material to flow out of the vessel. A method according to Claim 1 characterised in that the vessel includes a conical hopper portion which, at least during discharge of the material, forms the lower section of the vessel. A method according to Claim 1 characterised in that the cone angle is below a critical value required to achieve mass flow. 2. A method according to Claim 1 characterised in that the compressed gas is compressed air. 3. A method according to Claim 1 characterised in that the vessel is provided with an inlet and an outlet, such that loading of the vessel is via the inlet. 4. A method according to Claim 3 characterised in that the vessel has a conical shaped outlet. 5. A method according to Claim 1 characterised in that the outlet is connected to a conduit which leads to the final desired destination of the material. 6. A method according to Claim 1 characterised in that the paste is a paste produced from oil drilling cuttings. 7. A method according to Claim 1 characterised in that the method includes the steps of: (i) at least partially filling a vessel with a non-free flowing paste from a filling station; (ii) transporting the vessel to a discharge station; and (iii) at the discharge station, applying compressed gas to the interior of the vessel to convey the material out of the vessel to its destination. 8. A method according to Claim 1 characterised in that the lower conical hopper portion is the outlet end of the vessel. 9. A method according to Claim 1 characterised in that a compressed gas is applied the surface of the paste. 10. A method according to Claim 1 characterised in that the vessel which is adapted to fit in an ISO container frame. 11. A method according to Claim 1 characterised in that the drill cuttings are loaded into a first relatively small vessel capable of being pressurised from which said material is fed under pressure via a pipe to one or more further vessels also capable of being pressurised, said further vessels capable of being transported to a position where discharge of material takes place. 12. A method according to Claim 6 characterised in that the drill cuttings are loaded into a first relatively small vessel capable of being pressurised from which said material is fed under pressure via a pipe to one or more further vessels remain in their original position and the material is discharged from them into yet further vessels which are themselves transported to the destination. 13. A method according to claim 7 characterised in that the vessel is transported in a horizontal position. 14. A method according to claim 13 characterised in that the vessel is turned from the horizontal position through at least 90 degree to ensure that the centre line of the vessel is in the vertical when being discharged. 15. An apparatus for conveying a material in the form of a thick, heavy paste, the apparatus comprising a vessel capable of being pressurised by a hydraulic fluid, said vessel having a material inlet, a material outlet and a pipe connected to said material outlet, means for loading the material into said vessel through said inlet, gas supply means for supplying compressed gas to said vessel to cause the material to flow out of the vessel via said outlet and along said pipe. 16. An apparatus according to Claim 15 characterised in that the vessel is a suitable size and shape to act as a storage device or hopper. 17. A vessel for use in as apparatus according to claim 16 characterised in that the vessel is adapted to withstand a pressure of between 4 and 8 bar. 18. A vessel according to claim 19 characterised in that the vessel is housed in an ISO container frame.