Method and apparatus for transporting particles

摘要

A method for transporting particles such as polyolefin particles from a first container to a second container. The particles are transported from the first container to the second container through a transportation pipe by means of a pressure difference between the first container and the second container. A valve is provided in the transportation pipe near the second container, and the valve is closed and opened to transmit particles intermittently. Cleaning gas is fed into the transportation pipe at a position on the inlet side near the valve. The cleaning gas is gas consisting essentially of olefin monomer. The cleaning gas is fed into the transportation pipe while the valve of the transportation pipe is closed, and the particles remaining in the transportation pipe are sent back to the first container thereby to clean the transportation pipe. Therefore, the inside of the transportation pipe is kept clean all the time.