Fluidizing method and apparatus
US6764296B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 21, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 20, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 21, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G53/18
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A fluidizing method transports particulates by gravity flow but passes the particulates through a fluidizer which is partitioned by a porous distributor plate to form first and second chambers and wherein the particulate materials pass through said first chamber which is in gaseous communication with said second chamber via the porous distributor plate. Gas is delivered to the second chamber at a pressure sufficient to generate a gas bearing between the porous distributor plate and the particulate material. The gas is permitted to migrate through the particulate material, but it is then vented to the surrounding atomosphere without causing substantial turbulence in the particulate material and to reduce tendencies for dusting and separation of the particulates into sizes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.