Patent ID: 8152430

Claim:
A three hopper charging installation for a shaft furnace comprising: a rotary distribution device for distributing bulk material in a shaft furnace by rotating a distribution member about a central axis of said shaft furnace; a first hopper, a second hopper and a third hopper arranged in parallel above said rotary distribution device and offset from said central axis, for storing bulk material to be fed to said distribution device; a sealing valve housing arranged between said hoppers and said distribution device; said sealing valve housing having: a top part with a first inlet, a second inlet and a third inlet respectively communicating with said first hopper, said second hopper and said third hopper; a first sealing valve, a second sealing valve and a third sealing valve for isolating said first hopper, said second hopper and said third hopper respectively from the inner atmosphere of said shaft furnace, each sealing valve comprising a respective flap which is pivotable between a closed sealing position and an open parking position; and a funnel shaped bottom part with an outlet communicating with said distribution device; wherein said top part of said sealing valve housing has a tripartite stellate configuration in horizontal section with a central portion, in which said inlets are arranged adjacently in triangular relationship about said central axis, and with a first extension portion, a second extension portion and a third extension portion, wherein said first extension portion is dedicated to said first sealing valve and individually encloses said first sealing valve at three sides of said first sealing valve, said second extension portion is dedicated to said second sealing valve and individually encloses said second sealing valve at three sides of said second sealing valve, and said third extension portion is dedicated to said third sealing valve and individually encloses said third sealing valve at three sides of said third sealing valve, wherein each sealing valve is adapted such that its flap opens outwardly into the extension portion dedicated thereto with respect to said central axis by pivoting into a parking position located in said first extension portion, said second extension portion or said third extension portion respectively.