System for delivering solid particulate matter for loading

Abstract

An assembly for transferring solid particulate matter has a pressurized vessel for retaining a pre-determined quantity of the solid material. A transfer conduit connected to the vessel carries the solid material to a loading vessel, be it a processing tank, a storage vessel, or any other similar container. A discharge nozzle carried by a distant end of the transfer conduit is connected to a vacuum source, whereby a slight vacuum is created at the discharge opening. A separate dust removal conduit is secured immediately adjacent to the discharge nozzle for removal of the dust particles away from the discharge nozzle. The dust particles are collected in a separate vessel, which is mounted in a flow of air from the dust collection conduit and an exhaust fan. Mesh sleeves suspended in the vessel, capturing the dust particles on exterior surface thereof. Periodically, the dust particles are dislodged from the sleeves by blowing air through the sleeves. The dislodged dust particles are collected for disposal or recycling.

1 . A system for delivering solid particulate matter for loading, comprising:
 a pressurized vessel configured for retaining a pre-determined quantity of the solid particulate matter, said pressurized vessel being fluidly connected to a supply of pressurized gas;   a means for controlling delivery of pressurized gas into the pressurized vessel operationally connected to the pressurized vessel;   a transfer conduit configured for transferring the solid particulate matter from the pressurized vessel for loading, said transfer conduit carrying a discharge nozzle assembly with a discharge opening on a distant end thereof, said discharge nozzle assembly having a regulating door configured for moving between a closed position and a plurality of selected open positions and for regulating speed of delivery of the particulate matter through the discharge opening;   a means mounted upstream from said discharge opening for removing dust particles from said discharge nozzle assembly, said dust removing means being in fluid communication with a vacuum source, said means for removing dust particles being configured to create suction force sufficient to divert the dust particles from the discharge opening; and   a control panel operationally connected to the pressurized vessel and the means for removing the dust particles.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said means for removing dust particles comprises a dust collection vessel operationally connected to an exhaust fan and a vacuum source, and a dust collection conduit mounted in fluid communication between the dust collection vessel and the discharge nozzle assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said dust collection vessel comprises an interior chamber, and said means for removing dust particles further comprises a plurality of porous dust collection members suspended within the interior chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein each of the dust collection members is configured to retain the dust particles on exterior surface thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein each of the dust collection members comprises a mesh sleeve stretched over an open frame. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the means for removing the dust particles further comprises a means for dislodging the dust particles settled on the dust collection members. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the means for dislodging the dust particles settled on the dust collection members comprises a surge tank fluidly connected to the dust collection members, said surge tank being configured to deliver pressurized air through the dust collection members. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the means for removing the dust particles further comprises a means for collecting the dislodged dust particles. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the means for collecting the dislodged dust particles comprises a bottom door formed in the dust collection vessel and a container mounted below the bottom door for receiving the dislodged dust particles. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the means for removing the dust particles further comprises a means for connecting the means for dislodging dust particles to the control panel. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  1 , further comprising a means for detecting pressure within the pressurized vessel. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the means for detecting pressure within the pressurized vessel is manually operated. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the means for detecting pressure within the pressurized vessel is configured for automatic control by the control panel. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said pressurized vessel comprises an outlet, said outlet being operationally connected to the means for controlling delivery of pressurized gas into the pressurized vessel. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said regulating door is pivotally mounted in relation to the discharge nozzle assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the regulating door comprises a contact surface, and wherein an indentation is formed in said contact surface. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , where the discharge nozzle assembly comprises a contact plate configured for a sealing contact with the regulating door, and wherein a plurality of spaced-apart raised members is formed on said contact plate, each of the raised members being configured for mating engagement with the indentation in the contact surface of the regulating door. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein each of the raised members is configured for mating engagement with the indentation in the contact surface of the regulating door. 
     
     
         19 . A system for delivering solid particulate matter for loading, comprising:
 a pressurized vessel configured for retaining a pre-determined quantity of the solid particulate matter, said pressurized vessel being fluidly connected to a supply of pressurized gas;   a means for controlling delivery of pressurized gas into the pressurized vessel operationally connected to the pressurized vessel;   a transfer conduit configured for transferring the solid particulate matter from the pressurized vessel for loading, said transfer conduit carrying a discharge nozzle assembly with a discharge opening on a distant end thereof;   a means mounted upstream from said discharge opening for removing dust particles from said discharge nozzle assembly, said dust removing means being in fluid communication with a vacuum source, said means for removing the dust particles being configured to create suction force sufficient to divert the dust particles from the discharge nozzle assembly;   a means for collecting the dust particles removed from the discharge nozzle assembly; and   a control panel operationally connected to the pressurized vessel and the means for removing the dust particles.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said means for collecting the dust particles comprises a dust collection vessel operationally connected to an exhaust fan and a vacuum source, and a dust collection conduit mounted in fluid communication between the dust collection vessel and the discharge nozzle assembly. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the means for collecting the dust particles further comprises a plurality of porous dust collection members suspended within the dust collection vessel in a flow path between the dust collection conduit and the exhaust fan. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein each of the dust collection members is configured to retain the dust particles on exterior surface thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein each of the dust collection members comprises a mesh sleeve stretched over an open frame. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the means for collecting the dust particles further comprises a means for dislodging the dust particles settled on the dust collection members. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the means for dislodging the dust particles comprises a surge tank fluidly connected to the dust collection members, said surge tank being configured to deliver pressurized air through the dust collection members. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the means for collecting the dust particles further comprises a means for collecting the dislodged dust particles. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the means for collecting the dislodged dust particles comprises a bottom door formed in the dust collection vessel and a container mounted below the bottom door for receiving the dislodged dust particles. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a means for detecting pressure within the pressurized vessel. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the means for detecting pressure within the pressurized vessel is manually operated. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the means for detecting pressure within the pressurized vessel is configured for automatic control by the control panel. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said pressurized vessel comprises an outlet, said outlet being operationally connected to the means for controlling delivery of pressurized gas into the pressurized vessel. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said discharge nozzle assembly comprises a regulating door configured for selective regulation of delivery of the solid particulate matter through the discharge opening. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein said regulating door is pivotally mounted in relation to the discharge opening. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the regulating door comprises a contact surface, and wherein an indentation is formed in said contact surface. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , where the discharge nozzle assembly comprises a contact plate configured for a sealing contact with the regulating door, and wherein a plurality of spaced-apart raised members is formed on said contact plate, each of the raised members being configured for mating engagement with the indentation in the contact surface of the regulating door.