Method and apparatus for uniform particle loading of vessels

摘要

Apparatus for dispersing particles flowing from an orifice (301) comprising a deflecting surface (309) disposed relative to the orifice (301), wherein the deflecting surface (309) is fixed relative to the orifice (301), whereby particles flowing from the orifice can impinge upon and can be dispersed by the deflecting surface. The invention also includes an apparatus for loading particles into a vessel comprising particle hopper storage means (1); at least one rotary loading arm (9,11) comprising a conduit having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is in particle flow communication with the particle hopper storage means, and wherein a portion of the conduit has a plurality of orifices disposed between the first and the second end; and a plurality of particle dispersal assemblies (22), each particle dispersal assembly being disposed adjacent to an orifice (301), wherein each particle dispersal assembly comprises a deflecting surface (309) which is fixed relative to the orifice such that particles flowing from the orifice can impinge upon and can be dispersed by the deflecting surface (309). This apparatus includes drive means (13) for rotating the at least one rotary loading arm (9,11).