The Ohio State University

James E Henry

Harold M Keener

Robert J Anderson

Apparatus and method for feeding particulate material from a hopper into a process stream at a controlled flow rate. A rotating wheel with spaced apart pockets is vibrated to densify the particulate material in the pockets. A stator contacts and covers a portion of the upper surface of the wheel and has a transfer station connected to discharge particular into the process stream. The wheel is driven in rotation at a controlled rate to control the particulate flow rate into the process stream. A conveying gas supply projects a jet of gas into the pockets for removing the particulate material and conveying it into the process stream. An aerating gas supply directs an upward flow of gas from the periphery of the wheel, through the particulate material being supplied to the wheel to fluidize the particulate material supplied to the wheel.

Particulate material feeder utilizing vibration and aeration

The invention relates to a method for combusting a dirty and/or difficult to burn fuel in a fluidized bed combustor. The fluidized bed and freeboard zone of the combustor are cooled by a non-intrusive counterflow cooling system which controls combustion temperatures and produces a clean, hot gas. The combustor is operated with many combinations of features including: low, in bed fuel injection; use of finely divided fuel; slug flow fluidization; and injection of lime or limestone to effect desulferization or raise the ash melting temperature, if desired.

Method for producing a clean heated fluid

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for combusting a dirty and/or difficult to burn fuel in a fluidized bed combustor. The fluidized bed and freeboard zone of the combustor are cooled by a non-intrusive counterflow cooling system which controls combustion temperatures and produces a clean, hot gas. The combustor is operated with many combinations of features including: low, in bed fuel injection; use of finely divided fuel; slug flow fluidization; and injection of lime or limestone to effect desulferization or raise the ash melting temperature, if desired.

Growing community of inventors

Applecreek, OH, United States of America

James E Henry