Apparatus and method for introducing solids into a solids upflow vessel

摘要

A solids feeder and method for transporting particulate solids from an elevated solids feed reservoir and introducing the solids upwardly into the bottom of a solids upflow vessel. The feeder includes a stationary feed cylinder axially aligned with a bottom solids inlet of the upflow vessel and fitted with a vertically reciprocatable piston which alternately (1) retracts to allow the feed cylinder to receive solids from the feed reservoir by gravity flow through a feed chute and (2) extends to displace the solids upwardly into the upflow vessel. Horizontally reciprocatable slide plates prevent backflow of solids during the filling of the feed cylinder.