GB958414A - Apparatus for withdrawing solid particles from a high-pressure vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

958,414. Transferring solid particles. UNIVERSAL OIL PRODUCTS CO. May 23, 1961, No. 18526/61. Heading B1F. Apparatus for withdrawing solid particles entrained in a liquid or gas from a high pressure vessel 1, said vessel having at least one conduit 19 for withdrawing fluid from the top part of said vessel, having also an unobstructed conduit 5 connecting the bottom of said vessel to the upper part of a hopper 9 positioned below, the bottom of said hopper being connected to the top part of a second larger hopper 12 by a valved conduit 10, a valved discharge conduit 13 being connected to the bottom of said second hopper, and a valved fluid supply conduit 6 being connected to said unobstructed conduit. In a preferred embodiment, a programming device controls the fluid supply valves 7 and 4 to introduce fluid alternately into conduit 6 and a conduit 3 which is connected to conduit 6 and vessel 1. The high pressure vessel 1 is continuously supplied with, or has generated therein, fragile hydrogel spheres. The spheres may be aged therein in oil and subsequently discharged from the apparatus through line 13 and then drained of oil and calcined. After ageing, liquid is supplied to line 3 thus causing passage of aged material via line 5 to hopper 9. Said passage of aged material is aided by providing a line 15 having a restricted cross-section or orifice or needle valve which permits overflow of solids-free oil from hopper 9 by opening valve 14. When hopper 9 is filled valve 4 is closed and 7 opened thus causing an upward flow of fluid via line 5 into vessel 1 hence arresting said solids passage with a corresponding discharge from vessel 1 through line 19. Valve 14 is now closed, valve 11 opened to facilitate emptying of hopper 9 into hopper 12. When accomplished, valves 11 and 7 are closed so that hopper 9 is again filled from vessel 1 with valve 4 open. This is further facilitated by opening lines 15 and 13, which lines when valve 14 is open, facilitate discharge from hopper 12. To avoid excessive rate of flow a restriction 16 is inserted in line 15, in which a valved line 17 for withdrawing fluid from hoppers 12 or 9 is also incorporated. The term hopper includes a mere pipe and a conduit may be an orifice. The valves are motor operated and a programming system is mentioned, wherein the valves are operated, e.g. electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically.