GB322577A - Methods and apparatus for storing flowable solid material - Google Patents

Abstract

322,577. Adams, H. Oct. 3, 1928. Granaries.-A method of handling and mixing broken material, such as coal, of different sizes in a pile or mass in which the larger pieces are substantially segregated from the fines, comprises withdrawing the material from the mass at an outlet below the fines, and limiting the withdrawal of the material to the top layer of the mass and a slowly downwardly moving column over the outlet. The apparatus comprises a receptacle 10, 11, 12 in which is a shoot formed by two sides 18 and the container wall 10, the front 19 of the shoot being open to the receptacle. A hopper 20 is provided at the top of the shoot and staggered baffles 22 are provided in the length of the shoot to prevent breakage of the material. An outlet 41 is provided for the mixed material and an outlet 23 for the large pieces of material. Four angle-irons 25, 26 bound the outlet 41 and heating pipes or electric conductors 40 are housed in the angles to prevent the wet coal &c., from freezing. The coal from the hopper 20 descends along the baffles 22 and is discharged through the open side 19 of the shoot, the fines being deposited near the unclosed side and the large pieces rolling over the pile. The fines in the column 27 are first withdrawn through the outlet 41 and separately disposed of, the corner-pieces 25, 26 limiting the withdrawal to an upright column over the outlet in contact throughout three sides 29 with the main body. This causes the top layer 30 only to be fed to the top of column 28, mixing the large pieces with the fines adjacent to the column as the top layer moves to the column. If larger pieces mostly are required they may be withdrawn through the opening 23. Specification 112.453, [Class 78 (iv), Loading &c.], is referred to.