GB360943A - Improvements in and apparatus for introducing and withdrawing solid substances into and out of vessels containing a medium under high pressure - Google Patents

Abstract

Solid substances are fed to or withdrawn from a vessel A, Fig 1, containing a medium under high pressure by means of a plurality of chambers B arranged in series and in which the pressure increases or decreases in successive chambers. The stage vessels or chambers B are separated from one another by valves C, C<1> respectively connected to operating means D, D<1> and are connected to each other by pressure equalizing valves E, E<1>. These valves are opened so that the pressure between two adjacent stage vessels is equalized and then the valve C or C<1> separating the chambers is opened for the solid material to pass from one chamber into the other on its way to the vessel A. If the vessel A is subjected to a pressure 5p then the pressure in the chambers B may be indicated by Op, 1p, 2p, &c. Each chamber B is connected by a pipe to a pressure regulating device F set to pressures 1p, 2p, &c. so that when the pressure in two adjacent chambers is equalized, the common pressure is higher than the desired stage pressure and the surplus pressure is withdrawn through the device F. The gases passing through the device F are supplied to a compresser G and the gas released from pressure at H is compressed to a pressure 5p and is supplied to the lowermost chamber B. The withdrawal of the substance can be effected in a corresponding apparatus while reducing the pressure in stages. The stage vessels B may be connected together by intermediate vessels K, Fig. 2, provided on the interior side with elastic pipes or tubings L adapted to be extended by fluid pressure supplied by a pump, to shut off one vessel from another alternately. The gas released from pressure at H is cleaned at M before passing through a compresser G on its way to the chamber N. In a modification a column formed of chambers K with elastic diaphragms L which are alternately expanded and contracted may be used. In Fig. 4 the elastic tubes K1, K2 are adapted to be expanded alternately to grip the cylindrical portion of valves T1, T2. These valves are manually operated and may be provided with screw devices which are rotated to feed the material from one chamber to the other when the elastic tube between them is collapsed. The elastic sealing means may be of U-section or may be a disc attached to one wall of the chamber which is extended by a plunger into the opposing wall of the chamber. In a further modification a compressible tube or connection between the two chambers is squeezed alternately at its upper and lower end by plungers so that the space between the plungers is alternately filled and discharged. In Fig. 8 the compressible connection Y is adapted to be squeezed together by rollers C<1>, C<2>, &c., mounted on endless bands, the material trapped in the connection between opposed pairs of rollers being discharged therefrom by a squeezing and sliding action. Instead of an endless band a series of rollers mounted on rotary arms may be provided to open and close respectively portions of the elastic connection. When the stage vessels are other than vertical the material may be transferred by a conveyer or worm. During the passage of substances through the stage vessels a treatment may be carried out at any place at the same time, for example heating or cooling or treatment with gases, vapours or liquids or a mixing or separation into components. The gas used in the stage vessels may be other than that used in the reaction vessel. The apparatus may be used for feeding carbonaceous material to hydrogenation plants, the reaction residues being removed from the reaction chamber <PICT:0360943/III/1> <PICT:0360943/III/2> <PICT:0360943/III/3> <PICT:0360943/III/4> by similar apparatus. The apparatus is also applicable for introducing metallic substances into the reaction chamber in the manufacture of metal carbonyls from metals and carbon monoxide under high pressure, or for the manufacture of metal carbamates wherein the salts, in the reaction chamber, are acted upon, while suspended in liquid ammonia, with carbon dioxide under pressure.