摘要 |
The discharge rate of a solid particulate material from a storage hopper is increased beyond the rate attainable by gravity flow along through the introduction of a pressurized gas into a plenum that lies over the discharge hopper. In one embodiment, a first pipe extends vertically downward from a storage hopper, and a second pipe of larger diameter is fitted over the lower end of the first pipe so that an annular plenum is formed between the pipes. A pressurized gas is injected into this plenum and results in an increase in the discharge rate. The discharge rate can be controlled by altering the pressure of the injected gas, and the flow can be rendered intermittent by opening and closing a gate valve at the outlet of the discharge hopper.
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