Apparatus And Method For Measuring The Mass Flow Of Pneumatically Conveyed Particles

Author:  C. DeWitt, R. Good, P. Schoening, T.W. March
Source:  US Patent 5,882,149
Doc ID:  1999121
Year of Publication:  1999
Abstract:  
ABSTRACT An apparatus (10) is disclosed for measuring the mass flow of pneumatically conveyed particles along a transport tube 14. The apparatus includes a fluidized bed of the particles 16 and an application device or collection box 18. The improvement comprises means for unfluidizing the fluidized particles in communication with the fluidized bed. Additionally, one or more augers 22 are provided for delivering particles at a predetermined air pressure in predetermined amounts in communication with the means for unfluidizing and one or more pumps 24 are provided downstrem from the one or more augers 22. A sensor 26 is downstream from the one or more pumps. The particles then are conveyed from the sensor to the collection box. A method is also provided to measure the mass flow of pneumatically conveyed particles along a transport tube with an apparatus which includes a fluidized bed of the particles and a collection box. The improvement comprises unfluidizing the fluidized particles in the fluidized bed, delivering the unfluidized particles via a hopper through an auger, and pneumatically conveying the unfluidized particles through a pump situated downstream from the auger. Finally, the mass flow is sensed by a sensor downstream from the pump.