GB2353019A

GB2353019A - Particulate handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2353019A
Application number: GB9919164A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Gerrard Sheehan
Original assignee: Catalyst Handling Res & Engine
Current assignee: Catalyst Handling Res & Engine
Priority date: 1999-08-13
Filing date: 1999-08-13
Publication date: 2001-02-14
Also published as: GB9919164D0

Abstract

Particulate material is transported using apparatus having substantially parallel conduits 2, 4 each having an open end 6, 8 and an arrangement for reversibly moving the open ends in an axial direction relative to one another. The conduits are arranged coaxially with the inner conduit 2 adapted for the transportation of gas entrained particulate material and the outer conduit 4 adapted for the transportation of gas to the conduit open end. The flow path of gas and the gas turbulence between the conduits can be altered by relative axial movement of the conduits whilst movement of the gas entrained particulate material is occurring. This enables creation of optimal conditions for the entrainment of particulate material, particularly where the particulate material to be transported is not homogeneous. The relative axial movement of the conduits whilst particulate material is being transported may be achieved either by a motive means or manually via the operation of a lever arrangement 16.

Description

2353019 Particulate handling a-pparatus This invention relates to

particulate handling apparatus, and in particular to apparatus for handling air entrained particulates.

It is often the case in handling particulates that for reasons of space, access, or safety, it is not possible to use standard handling methods such as people with spades or mechanical diggers to move large quantities of particulate material.

One particularly preferred method of handling particulate material where such standard methods are not available is to suck or blow a particulate along a conduit, pipe, or tube(hereafter conduit) from a first position to a desired second position such as a storage bin. The motivation for such movement can either be causing a sub-atmospheric pressure to suck material into the conduit, or providing an over pressure in the region of the particulate material which will force the material into the conduit. In one particularly preferred method, a first and second conduit are fixed together with the first conduit being adapted to transport gas entrained particulate, and the second conduit being adapted to supply gas. In use, both conduits have mouths adjacent to each other, or slightly off-set from each other in an axial direction of one of the conduits.

The gas pumped down the second conduit exits the open end of that conduit, entrains particulate, and is subsequently sucked into the first conduit together with the gas-borne particulate. This method works well in free flowing particulate, but is not efficient where the particulate is not free flowing, for instance when it is compacted together.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for handling particulate material. The apparatus includes a first and second elongate conduit, in which the first conduit is adapted for transportation of gas entrained particulate material, the second conduit is adapted for transportation of gas, both conduits have a first open end, the longitudinal axis of the conduits are substantially parallel to each other, and the apparatus is provided with a means for reversibly moving the open end of one conduit in an axial direction relative to the open end of the other conduit.

The benefit of the present invention is that because the open end of one conduit may be moved relative to the open end of the other conduit, the f low path of gas and that gas's turbulence from the second conduit to the first conduit may be altered whilst movement of the particulate is occurring. This enables creation of optimal conditions for the entrainment of particulate material. Those optimal conditions vary upon the compaction and the nature of the particulate. It is a particular benefit of the present invention that if the nature of the particulate to be transported (such as its level of compaction) is not homogenous, the apparatus may be adjusted without interrupting the extraction of particulate material.

It is often the case that the optimal spacial relationships between the ends of the two conduits is best found empirically; that is by trial and error. The apparatus of the present invention allows this to occur without interruption of process of movement of the particulate material.

It is particularly preferred that the first and second conduits are pipes and are substantially coaxial. It has been found that best results are obtained when the gas transportation conduit completely surrounds the particulate transportation conduit.

It is most preferred that the range of movement of the end of the mobile conduit is 15 cm in an axial direction in either direction from the end of the fixed conduit. This means that the mobile conduit may move, in total, around 30 cm from one extreme extended position wherein the open mouth of the gas supplying conduit is around 15 cm behind the mouth of the particulate transporting conduit, and the retracted position whereby the open mouth of the particulate transporting conduit is behind the mouth of the gas supply conduit by about 15 cm.

This range of movement has been found, particularly with particulate catalysts in catalyst beds to allow achievement of the desired levels of particulate entrainment and turbulence of gas flow for efficient movement of the catalyst.

It is most preferred that the conduits of the present invention are pipes and are coaxial. The inner pipe being the particulate transport pipe and the gas being supplied through the annulus between the inner pipe and the outer pipe.

It is most preferred that the apparatus of the present invention is formed from rigid conduit, the two conduits being held in a spaced apart fashion by one or more appropriate means. In other embodiments, however, the first and second conduits may be flexible. It is, however, again necessary to hold them in appropriate spacing relative to each other.

The apparatus of the present invention is preferably in communication with particulate receiving means and gas supply means by way of flexible hoses. Those hoses are most preferably attached by ports or other standard joint means to the end region of the conduits remote from the open ends of those conduits. where the conduits are substantially coaxial, the outer conduit is provided with an end flange, which flange includes an aperture which allows the passage of the inner conduit through it, and a seal around the edge of that aperture to render that aperture gas/particulate tight.

It is most preferred that the means for inducing movement between the first and second conduits are one or more mechanical levers. Most preferably those levers are operated by human strength, but they can be attached to appropriate motive means. Other movement means may be used such as reciprocally movable actuators, threaded screws, or other such means.

The invention will be further described and explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Further enhancements of the apparatus of the present invention may be made by the introduction of apertures in the walls of either or both conduits in the region of the open mouths. This will affect the turbulence in that region and thus the entrainment of particulate both in terms of quantity and the ability of the turbulence to break up compacted particulate material. In a f urther improvement of the present invention the open mouth of the gas supplying conduit may be supplied with one or more cowls so as to direct the supplied gas in a particular direction or directions. This may be particularly appropriate in certain circumstances where the apparatus of the present invention is used.

A still further improvement of the present invention may he the provision of a longitudinally extending means that passes along the gas supply conduit. This has a handle at first end and a hook or bend at the second end. The second end is located substantially at the open mouth of the gas supply conduit and the elongate means is sufficiently long for the first end to extend from the closed end of the gas supply conduit by at least 30 cms. In use, an operator of the apparatus of the present invention may hold the handle end of the elongate means, push it forward and accordingly push the hooked or bent end of the feeler means out of and away from the mouth of the gas supply conduit. By twisting and turning the handle the operator may gain an impression of the nature, of the particulate immediately in front of the open mouths of the apparatus of the present invention, for instance the degree of compaction. Such knowledge will enable the most appropriate setting of the apparatus of the present invention. It is particularly preferred that the hook at the first end of the elongate means is configured so that it can sit completely within the gas supply conduit when not it use. This has the particular advantage that it does not snag on or displace any of the material through which the apparatus of the present invention is passed.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention when in an extended position; Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the embodiment of Figure 1 when in a retracted position; and Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the movement means of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Referring to figures 1 and 2, apparatus for the handling of particulate material (1) is comprised of a inner conduit (2) and an outer conduit (4). Conduits (2) and (4) are substantially coaxial and of a substantially circular cross section. Inner conduit (2) is of greater longitudinal extent than outer conduit (4) and outer conduit (4) partially surrounds inner conduit (2) Conduits (2) and (4) have f irst open ends (6) and (8) respectively. The end of outer conduit (4) remote f rom open end (8) is sealed with a flange (10) Flange (10) is substantially circular and is provided with an aperture of substantially the same size as the outer diameter of inner conduit (2). Around the edge of said aperture is a seal (12) which allows movement of conduit (2) in an axial direction, but forms a substantially gas tight seal with the surface of conduit (2).

Fixed to outer conduit (4) in the region of flange (10), via a fixed arm (14) is a motive means (16) Motive means (16) may be used to move conduit (2) in an axial direction relative to conduit (4).

As illustrated in greater detail in figure 3, movement means (16) comprises a pair of levers (20a) and (20b) fixed together by a handle (22) at a first end of levers (20a) and (2 Ob) Levers (20a) and (20b) pivot around pivots (24a) and (24b) located at the end of struts (14) remote from outer conduit (4). At the ends of levers (20a) and (20b) distal f rom handle (22) there are provided longitudinally extending slots (26a) and (26b). Said longitudinal slots pass fully through levers (20a) and (20b). Affixed to inner conduit (2) are projections (28a) and (28b). Said projections are located,configured and dimensioned so as to engage with slots (26a) and (26b) respectively.

In use, levers (20a) and (20b) are pivoted around pivots (24a) and (24b) by an operator pulling or pushing on handle (22). When such pivoting occurs, the interference of projections (28a) and. (28b) with slots (26a) and (26b) respectively causes conduit (2) to move relative to conduit (4) either taking projections (28a) and (28b) closer to flange (10) or further away. It is particularly preferred that the maximum longitudinal movement of projections (28a) and (28b) is approximately 30 cm.

In use an operator, when using the apparatus of the present invention to pick up particulate material, will be able to move conduit (2) between the extended position as shown in figure (1) and the retracted position shown in figure (2).

This enables the operator to vary the amount of turbulence about the open mouths (6) and (8) of conduits (2) and (4) respectively. The further conduit (2) is extended out of mouth (8) of conduit (4) the greater the turbulence created and accordingly the greater the entrainment of particulate material or the greater the forces generated to break up compacted particulate material. Such turbulence is represented by arrows (30) in figures (1) and (2). In figure (2), as may be seen, the open mouth (6) of conduit (2) has been withdrawn into mouth (8) of conduit (4) This results in little turbulence of the gas before it enters conduit (2). This is the most appropriate configuration for very free flowing particulate material where very little turbulence is necessary to entrain particulates into the gas flow.

Claims

1 Apparatus for handling particulate material including a first and second elongate conduit, in which the first conduit is adapted for the transportation of gas entrained particulate material, the second conduit is adapted for the transportation of gas, both conduits have a first open end, the longitudinal axis of the conduits are substantially parallel to each other, and the apparatus is provided with means for reversibly moving the open end of one conduit in an axial direction relative to the open end of the other conduit.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the first and second conduits are substantially co-axial.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 in which the f irst conduit is encompassed by the second conduit.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the reversible movement permitted between the open endS of the conduits is limited over a predetermined range.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the conduits are substantially co-axial, one of the conduits being received internally of the other.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the inner conduit is the particulate transport conduit, the gas being supplied through the annulus between the inner conduit and outer conduit.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the conduits are rigid, one being received co-axially internally of the other, means being provided to hold the conduits in a spaced apart fashion.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for inducing movement between the first and second conduits comprises a mechanical arrangement, particularly a lever arrangement.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the mechanical arrangement is configured to be manually operated.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the mechanical arrangement is configured to be driven by motive means.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim in combination with particulate receiving means and gas supply means.

12. A method of handling particulate material using apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the relative positions of the first and second conduits are adjusted in the axial direction during the handling operation.

13. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.