Pressurized vessel internal material conveying apparatus and method

Abstract

A pressurized vessel configured to convey a material comprises a number of generally rectangular-shaped baffles, each having at least one curved edge coupled to an interior wall of the vessel along a length of the vessel. The pressurized vessel includes a plurality of generally triangular-shaped baffles that have at least one curved edge coupled to an interior wall of the vessel. The other edges of the plurality of generally triangular-shaped baffles are coupled to separate generally rectangular-shaped baffles that are oriented at a 45-degree angle from the generally triangular-shaped baffle. The coupling of the plurality of generally triangular-shaped baffles and plurality of generally rectangular-shaped baffles conveys material within the pressurized vessel, as the vessel is rotated.

1 . A pressurized vessel configured to convey a material within the vessel, comprising: 
 a plurality of generally rectangular-shaped baffles having at least one curved edge coupled to an interior wall of the vessel such that the length of the generally rectangular-shaped baffles at least partially extends laterally along a portion of the length of the vessel; and    a plurality of generally triangular-shaped baffles each having at least one curved edge coupled to an interior wall of the vessel, the other edges coupled to separate generally rectangular-shaped baffles that are oriented at a 45 degree angle from the generally triangular-shaped baffle, wherein the coupling of the plurality of generally triangular-shaped baffles and plurality of generally rectangular-shaped baffles conveys material within the pressurized vessel as the pressurized vessel is rotated.    
   
   
       2 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein each generally triangular-shaped baffle is positioned perpendicularly to the length of the vessel.  
   
   
       3 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein each generally rectangular-shaped baffle includes a flat bar section on a non-curved portion that is perpendicular to the remaining portion of the generally rectangular-shaped baffle.  
   
   
       4 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized vessel includes a door proximate to an end of the pressurized vessel and a first generally rectangular-shaped baffle within the pressurized vessel coupled to an opposite side of the interior wall of the pressurized vessel from the door.  
   
   
       5 . The vessel of  claim 4 , wherein material deposited into the pressurized vessel is initially moved by the first generally rectangular-shaped baffle toward an end of the pressurized vessel opposite from the door.  
   
   
       6 . The vessel of  claim 4 , wherein the first generally rectangular-shaped baffle is coupled to a first generally triangular-shaped baffle positioned at an angle of 45 degrees from the orientation of the first generally rectangular-shaped baffle, and wherein the first generally triangular-shaped baffle is coupled to a second generally rectangular-shaped baffle positioned at an angle of 45 degrees from the orientation of the first generally triangular-shaped baffle.  
   
   
       7 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of generally triangular-shaped baffles and plurality of generally rectangular-shaped baffles are constructed of steel.  
   
   
       8 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the curved edge of each of the plurality of generally rectangular-shaped baffles is an arc.  
   
   
       9 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the curved edge of each of the plurality of generally triangular-shaped baffles is an arc.  
   
   
       10 . A method for transferring a material within a pressurized vessel from a first end of the pressurized vessel to a second end of the pressurized vessel, comprising the steps of: 
 loading a material into an interior portion of the pressurized vessel proximate to the first end;    rotating the pressurized vessel about an axis extending along a length of the pressurized vessel so that a first of a plurality of generally rectangular fins positioned on an interior surface of the pressurized vessel along a portion of the length of the pressurized vessel moves the material in a direction toward the second end of the pressurized vessel;    rotating the pressurized vessel so that a first of a plurality of generally triangular fins coupled to the a first generally rectangular fin contacts the material, the first generally triangular fin positioned at a 45 degree angle respective to the first generally rectangular fin; and    rotating the pressurized vessel so that the material is moved toward the second end of the pressurized vessel according to an alternating sequence of generally triangular fins and generally rectangular fin coupled at 45 degree angles to the interior surface of the pressurized vessel.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of generally triangular fins are coupled to the interior surface of the pressurized vessel at an angle that is perpendicular to the length of the pressurized vessel.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of generally rectangular fins includes an arced edge that is coupled to the interior surface of the pressurized vessel.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of generally rectangular fins are positioned to the interior surface at an angle that is not perpendicular to the length of the pressurized vessel.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of generally triangular fins includes an arced edge that is coupled to the interior surface of the pressurized vessel.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of generally rectangular fins includes a flat bar coupled to a straight edge of the generally rectangular fins forming a tee.  
   
   
       16 . A pressurized vessel system configured to convey a material within the vessel, comprising: 
 a cylindrical vessel having a closable opening configured to receive material;    a plurality of generally rectangular baffles having an arced edge and positioned at various points on an interior surface of the cylindrical vessel at angles not perpendicular to the length of the cylindrical vessel; and    a plurality of generally triangular baffles having an arced edge positioned at various points on the interior surface of the cylindrical vessel perpendicularly to the length of the cylindrical vessel, wherein one or more of the plurality of generally triangular baffles is coupled to a generally rectangular baffle at a first straight edge and a another generally rectangular baffle at a second straight edge so that the first and second generally rectangular baffles are oriented at the same angle respective to a plane of the one or more of the plurality of generally triangular baffles.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second generally rectangular baffles are oriented at an angle 45 degrees respective to a plane of the one or more of the plurality of generally triangular baffles.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second generally rectangular baffles are oriented at an angle 60 degrees respective to a plane of the one or more of the plurality of generally triangular baffles.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second generally rectangular baffles are oriented at an angle 30 degrees respective to a plane of the one or more of the plurality of generally triangular baffles.