Riley Stoker Corporation

David R Geoffroy

A device for promoting the flow rate of solid particulates from a fluidized bed of solids into a downcomer extending from a discharge outlet in a wall or the bed includes a hollow, funnel-like, horn element having a lower end connected upstream of the discharge outlet and an upper end portion spaced upwardly of the lower end and flared outwardly at progressively higher levels to form an enlarged flow entrance for the fluidized solid particulates to move from said bed toward said discharge outlet into the downcomer. The funnel-like, horn element has an enlarged open upper end formed with a rim around the flow entrance spaced above the lower wall of the bed and has a flow cross-section substantially greater than that of the discharge outlet. A bubble ring is provided adjacent the rim for injecting gaseous fluid into the solids to fluidize the solid particulates for movement in a generally horizontal direction towards a center axis of the flow entrance of the funnel-like, horn element.

Flow promoter for fluidized solids

A vertical tube heat exchanger for use with fluidized solid particulates as a heat transfer medium includes a plurality of vertically extending spaced apart tubes for containing an internal fluid flowing in heat transfer relationship with the walls of the tube. A containment housing is provided around the tubes for containing a flow of fluidized solid particulates moving through a heat exchange chamber in the housing around the exterior surface of the tubes. A gas plenum chamber is provided adjacent a lower end of the containment housing for directing fluidizing gas into the solid particulates. The housing includes a dividing floor between an upper heat exchange chamber and a lower plenum chamber and the floor is formed with openings in concentric alignment with the vertical tubes for injecting fluidizing gas into the heat exchange chamber around the tubes to flow upwardly into a bed of solid particulates. A bubble cap is provided around each tube for preventing the solid particulates from passing into the plenum chamber while at the same time permitting the injected fluidizing gas to flow upwardly into the heat exchange chamber. The bubble caps also accommodate relative expansion and contraction between the tubes and the floor of the housing to prevent a build up of stress between these components.

Growing community of inventors

Holden, MA, United States of America

David R Geoffroy