Solids feeder with integrated supply of carrier gas

摘要

An apparatus for fluidized transport of solids, e.g., catalyst to a pilot plant FCC unit. Carrier gas flow is generated by compressing a sealed bellows to displace gas and an exit tube attached to the bellows into a solids reservoir. A confinement baffle in the solids reservoir controls solids flow and aids refilling. An auxiliary breather tube with an outlet in the solids reservoir can fluidize solids as the bellows expands.