Feeding systems and methods of using feeding systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017283969-A1
Application number	US-201715475018-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 30, 2017
Priority date	Mar 30, 2016
Publication date	Oct 5, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

In one embodiment, a feed system for distributing fluidized feed material, comprises: a distribution unit configured to fluidize feed material; and a control unit fluidly coupled to the distribution unit, wherein the control unit comprises: a chamber configured to hold the feed material provided from the distribution unit; and a feeder unit fluidly coupled to the chamber: and a second gas inlet configured to provide gas to the chamber; and a material discharge pipe fluidly coupled to the chamber and the second gas inlet.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A feed system for distributing fluidized feed material, comprising:
a distribution unit configured to fluidize feed material; and a control unit fluidly coupled to the distribution unit, wherein the control unit comprises:
a chamber configured to hold the feed material provided from the distribution unit; and
a feeder unit fluidly coupled to the chamber: and
a second gas inlet configured to provide gas to the chamber; and a material discharge pipe fluidly coupled to the chamber and the second gas inlet.

2 . The feed system of claim 1 , wherein the feed material is alumina.

3 . The feed system of claim 1 , wherein the distribution unit comprises:
a body having a first volume; and a first chamber, within the first volume, at a bottom of the body, wherein the first chamber is configured to distribute gas to the feed material within the first volume; and a second chamber within the first volume and above the first chamber, wherein the second chamber is configured to hold the feed material.

4 . The feed system of claim 3 , wherein the distribution unit comprises:
a first fluidization fabric between the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the feed material rests atop the filtration fabric.

5 . The feed system of claim 4 , wherein the distribution unit further comprises:
a feed material inlet pipe fluidly coupled to the first volume, wherein the feed material inlet pipe is configured to supply the feed material to the second chamber.

6 . The feed system of claim 5 , wherein the distribution unit further comprises:
a pressure port, wherein the pressure port is configured to measure a depth of the feed material.

7 . The feed system of claim 6 , wherein the distribution unit further comprises:
a first gas inlet in the body, wherein the gas inlet is configured to supply an gas flow to the first chamber.

8 . The feed system of claim 7 , wherein the distribution unit further comprises:
a dust filtration fabric within the first volume, wherein the dust filtration fabric is disposed above the second channel.

9 . The feed system of claim 7 , wherein the distribution unit further comprises:
a vent at a top of the body.

10 . The feed system of claim 1 , wherein the feeder unit comprises:
a point of entry device configured to break a crust formed at an opening of the smelting cell.

11 . A method of feeding a smelting cell, comprising:
providing a feed material to a distribution unit, flowing gas through the distribution unit, wherein the gas fluidizes the feed material; and flowing a controlled amount of fluidized feed material from the distribution unit to a smelting cell via a control unit.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the feed material is alumina.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein flowing the controlled amount of fluidized feed material comprises:
flowing the fluidized feed material to a control unit comprising:
a chamber configured to hold the feed material provided from the distribution unit; and
a feeder unit fluidly coupled to the chamber, wherein the feed material may de-fluidized in the chamber.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
providing gas for a first period of time to the feeder unit to fluidize the feed material in the chamber.

15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
discharging the fluidized feed material from a discharge spout in the feeder unit to the smelting cell.

16 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
prior to discharging the fluidized feed material, extending a plunger to form an opening in a crust formed at an opening of the smelting cell to allow feed material to enter the smelting cell.

17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein flowing gas through the distribution unit further comprises:
filtering the gas from the distribution unit that passes through the feed material to remove feed material dust particles.

18 . A method of feeding alumina to a smelting cell, comprising:
providing alumina to a distribution unit; flowing gas through the distribution unit, wherein the gas fluidizes the alumina; and flowing the fluidized alumina to a control unit comprising:
a chamber configured to hold the alumina provided from the distribution unit,
wherein the alumina may de-fluidize in the chamber, and
a feeder unit fluidly coupled to the chamber;
providing gas for a first period of time to the feeder unit to fluidize the alumina in the chamber; and discharging a controlled amount of the fluidized alumina from a discharge spout in the feeder unit to the smelting cell.

19 . A method of feeding feed material to a destination, comprising:
providing feed material to a distribution unit; flowing gas (e.g. air) through the distribution unit, wherein the gas fluidizes the feed material; and flowing the fluidized feed material to a control unit comprising: a feeder unit fluidly coupled to the distribution unit; providing gas for a first period of time to the feeder unit to fluidize the feed material in the control unit; and discharging a controlled amount of the fluidized feed material from a discharge spout in the feeder unit to the smelting cell.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the feed material is alumina.

Assignees

• Alcoa Usa Corp

Inventors

• Glisan Roy A
• D'Astolfo Leroy E
• Lucey Derrick
• Ripepi Mark

Classifications

• B65G53/18

  through a porous wall · CPC title

• C25C3/14 Primary

  Devices for feeding or crust breaking · CPC title

• B65G53/16 Primary

  Gas pressure systems operating with fluidisation of the materials · CPC title

• B65G53/36

  Arrangements of containers (hoppers B65D3/06; containers in general B65D) · CPC title

• B65G53/66 Primary

  Use of indicator or control devices, e.g. for controlling gas pressure, for controlling proportions of material and gas, for indicating or preventing jamming of material {(controlling the flow of coal firing systems C21B5/003)} · CPC title