Patent ID: 7309201

Claim:
An apparatus for automating delivery of a particulate to a tube contained in a reformer type heater with vertical tubes, comprising: a hopper having an opening at the lower end; a gate mounted on the hopper selectively projecting over the opening in the hopper; a box mounted below the hopper; a primary ramp mounted in the box underlapping the opening in the hopper wherein said primary ramp has an angle of inclination and extends to a lower end of the box; wherein said primary ramp includes a means for allowing dust and fines to fall through said primary ramp; a means for conveying the particulate to a tube loading adaptor, the means for conveying the particulate being connected to the box proximate to one end of said primary ramp; a means for collecting dust and fines connected to the box underlapping said primary ramp; wherein the tube loading adaptor is positioned for connection to the tube in the reformer type heater with vertical tubes; and a means for moving the particulate connectable to the apparatus for automating delivery of the particulate.