Patent ID: 8882400

Claim:
A solids feeder in communication with a flow of solids from a solids source and a flow of conveying fluid from a fluid source, the solids feeder comprising: a feeder body; a disc disposed within the feeder body, wherein the disc at least partially imparts flow to the flow of solids; an outlet channel of feeder body with the flow of the solids therein; and a discharge port in fluid communication with the outlet channel, wherein the outlet channel supplies the flow of solids to the discharge port, wherein the discharge port comprises: an inlet in fluid communication with the flow of conveying fluid, wherein the inlet supplies the flow of conveying fluid from the fluid source to the discharge port; and a flow channel in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet channel, wherein the flow of conveying fluid passes through the flow channel, wherein the flow channel comprises a reduced cross-sectional area at the outlet channel as compared to the inlet, wherein the flow of solids entering the flow channel at the reduced cross-sectional area is transverse to the flow of conveying fluid flowing through the flow channel at the reduced cross-sectional area, wherein the flow channel comprises a variably reduced cross-sectional area, and wherein the flow channel comprises a moveable plate therein.