US3749258A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermally removable support means for loading long vertical vessels
Assignee: CALCATCO Inc
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Filing: 1972-02-09
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1992-02-09
Abstract
Abstract Method for loading long vertical columns or vessels with friable particulate matter employing a solid mass of material, substantially conforming to the inner shape of the column, wherein the material is normally a fluid at ambient or mildly elevated temperatures. The mass is supported by a line, such as a cable. The mass is introduced into the upper end of the column, and lowered slowly as the friable particulate matter is introduced into the column until the column is filled, and the mass has descended to the bottom of the column. The mass then melts or evaporates, leaving a filled column substantially free of broken particulate matter as a result of impact from a long fall in the column.
Inventors
- 👤 M James
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:43
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J8/00; B01J8/02; B01J8/06; B01J8/0015; B01J8/003; B65; B65G; B65G69/00; B01J2208/00; B01J2208/00743; B01J2208/00769; B01J2208/00778; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/04; B65G2201/042; B65G2814/00; B65G2814/02; B65G2814/0205; B65G69/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
Method of loading a zone of substantially constant cross section in a vessel with particulate matter, while preventing substantial free fall of said particulate matter, whic comprises: introducing into a top end of said vessel a plug of a material normally fluid at ambient or mildly elevated temperatures having a portion of a line embedded in said plug; adding particulate matter into said vessel while lowering said plug through said zone, by means of said line, preventing any substantial free fall of said particulate matter; and upon said plug reaching the bottom of said zone, fluidifying said plug and withdrawing said line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
Method of loading a zone of substantially constant cross section in a vessel with particulate matter, while preventing substantial free fall of said particulate matter, whic comprises: introducing into a top end of said vessel a plug of a material normally fluid at ambient or mildly elevated temperatures having a portion of a line embedded in said plug; adding particulate matter into said vessel while lowering said plug through said zone, by means of said line, preventing any substantial free fall of said particulate matter; and upon said plug reaching the bottom of said zone, fluidifying said plug and withdrawing said line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said particulate matter is a friable porous material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said plug is of water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said plug is of carbon dioxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said plug has a cross section substantially conforming to the cross section of said zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said fluidifying is accelerated by external heat.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
Method of loading a substantially tubular column with particulate matter, while preventing substantial free fall of said particulate matter which comprises; introducing into the top of said column a cylindrical block of ice having the end of a line Embedded in said ice; lowering said block of ice by means of said line, while adding particulate matter into said column, so as to maintain a substantially constant level of particulate matter; and upon said block of ice reaching the bottom of said column, liquefying said block of ice and withdrawing said line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
Method of loading a substantially tubular column with particulate matter, while preventing substantial free fall of said particulate matter which comprises; introducing into the top of said column a cylindrical block of ice having the end of a line Embedded in said ice; lowering said block of ice by means of said line, while adding particulate matter into said column, so as to maintain a substantially constant level of particulate matter; and upon said block of ice reaching the bottom of said column, liquefying said block of ice and withdrawing said line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
Method according to claim 7 including heating said block of ice to accelerate the liquefaction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method according to claim 7, wherein the end of said line embedded in said block of ice is splayed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method according to claim 7, wherein the end of said line is coiled within said block of ice.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
Method according to claim 7, wherein said line is rigid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
Method according to claim 11, wherein at least a portion of said line is telescopic, having the larger diameter near the top of said line.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
88 words
Method of loading a zone of substantially constant cross section with particulate matter while preventing substantial free fall of said particulate matter which comprises: introducing a plug supported by a cable at the upper end of said zone, wherein said plug consists essentially of a material fluidifiable at moderate temperatures; adding a particulate matter into the upper end of said zone while lowering said plug by means of said cable, until said plug reaches the lower end of said zone; and fluidifying said plug and withdrawing said cable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
88 words
Method of loading a zone of substantially constant cross section with particulate matter while preventing substantial free fall of said particulate matter which comprises: introducing a plug supported by a cable at the upper end of said zone, wherein said plug consists essentially of a material fluidifiable at moderate temperatures; adding a particulate matter into the upper end of said zone while lowering said plug by means of said cable, until said plug reaches the lower end of said zone; and fluidifying said plug and withdrawing said cable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US797751A
Cited
US3562998A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |