Apparatus for blending particulate solids

Abstract

A single-pass blending apparatus for blending particulate solids including a blending bin having a bin wall, an upper bin end, a lower bin end, a first bin opening passing through the bin wall, and a second bin opening passing through the bin wall and spaced vertically and horizontally from the first bin opening. The bin wall defines a bin chamber. A plurality of flow openings pass through the lower bin end. A blending chamber is positioned beneath the bin chamber and communicates with the bin chamber through the flow openings. A first external blending tube is positioned outside of the blending bin and has an upper tube end communicating with the first bin opening and a lower tube end external of the bin chamber and communicating with the blending chamber. A second external blending tube is positioned outside of the blending bin and has an upper tube end communicating with the second bin opening and a lower tube end external of the bin chamber and communicating with the blending chamber. A diffuser cone control valve closes off the lower tube ends of the first and second external blending tubes and the flow openings, and, after the external blending tubes and the bin chamber have been filled, opens the lower tube ends and the flow openings to simultaneously allow the material in the lower tube ends and adjacent the flow openings to flow together into the blending chamber.