Apparatus for handling fine bulk material

Abstract

An apparatus for handling a fine bulk material including a tubular member formed of a gas permeable material, a tubular member formed of a gas impermeable material encompassing the first mentioned tubular member, having an inlet and outlet at opposite ends thereof, a helical member mounted on the first mentioned tubular member, means for rotating the first mentioned tubular member and means for injecting a fluid under pressure through the first mentioned tubular member into the annular passageway disposed between such tubular members including the helical member, precluding the settling of material being conveyed in such passageway.

1 . An apparatus for handling a fine bulk material comprising:
 a support;   a first tubular conduit formed of a gas impermeable material journalled in said support, having a closed end providing an axially disposed passageway with at least one radial outlet;   a second tubular conduit formed of a gas permeable material, encompassing and spaced from said first tubular conduit, having closed ends, providing a first annular passageway communicating with said radial passageway in said first tubular conduit;   a helical member mounted on said second tubular conduit:   a third tubular conduit formed of a gas impermeable material mounted fixedly on said support, having an inlet adjacent an end thereof, encompassing and spaced from said second tubular conduit, providing a second annular passageway including said annular member, closed at one end, opened at a spaced outlet end and communicating with said inlet of said third tubular conduit, adjacent said closed end thereof;   means for injecting a fluid under pressure into said first passageway and through said radial passageway, said first annular passageway and said permeable tubular conduit, sufficient in precluding the settling of said material in said second annular passageway, between flights of said helical member; and   means for rotating said first tubular conduit.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said support includes a receptacle. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly according to  claim 2  wherein said first conduit includes an end which extends through an opening in said receptacle and is journalled at one end thereof in a wall component of said receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly according to  claim 2  wherein an end of said second conduit and an end portion of said helical member extend through an opening of said receptacle into the interim thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly according to  claim 2  wherein an end of said third conduit is supported on said receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly according to  claim 2  wherein said receptacle comprises a means for holding and/or conveying a bulk particulate material. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said first conduit includes an end which is journalled in a housing of said means for rotating said first tubular conduit. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said third conduit includes an end wall closing said third annular passageway, connected to a housing of said means for rotating said first tubular member. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly according to  claim 1  including means disposed on said third tubular conduit for funneling material through said inlet thereof into said second annular passageway. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly according to  claim 1  including means for feeding a bulk particulate material into said inlet of said third tubular conduit. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly according to  claim 10  wherein said feeding means comprises a means for holding and/or conveying a bulk particulate material. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said fluid injecting means includes means for injecting a fluid under pressure into said second annular passageway through an opening in said third tubular conduit. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said means for rotating said first tubular member includes a gear reduction unit supported on said third tubular member and operatively connected to said first tubular member, and a motor mounted on said gear reduction unit and operatively connected thereto.