Slurry hopper system

Claim 2

A hopper assembly for forming a slurry of a granular solid product and water in restricted spaces for transportation by a slurry pump, comprising: an open-topped tank having horizontal dimensions greater than vertical dimensions and having interconnected end walls and side walls and a bottom tapered downwardly toward one end wall; means for feeding water into the tank adjacent the higher end of the bottom; means for feeding the granular solid into the tank adjacent the higher end of the bottom; means adjacent the lower end of the tank bottom forming an outlet for the slurry to the pump; means in the tank limiting the flow of water through the upper portion of the tank to minimize turbulence; and means for maintaining the water at a predetermined level in the tank.

Claim 3

The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the means for feeding water into the tank comprises a manifold extending around the end wall at the higher end of the bottom and the adjacent portions of the side walls, and slots in said end wall and adjacent portions of the side walls at the bottom of the tank communicating with the manifold.

Claim 4

An assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein the means for limiting the flow of water through the tank comprises at least one baffle extending between the side walls above said slots.

Claim 5

The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the means forming an outlet for the slurry to the pump comprises an opening in the respective end wall extending from a medial portion of the end wall to the bottom of the tank and having a width less than the width of the tank, and a baffle extending from adjacent each side of the opening to the respective side wall in spaced relation from the respective end wall to funnel the slurry through the opening.

Claim 6

The assembly defined in claim 4 wherein said means forming an outlet for the slurry further comprises a baffle extending from the top of the opening into the container.

Claim 7

The assembly defined in claim 4 wherein the means for maintaining the water at a pre-determined level includes level control sensing means in the tank adjacent the end of the tank associated with the outlet for the slurry and positioned above said opening.

Claim 8

The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the means for feeding granular solid into the tank compriseS a conveyer extending over the top of the tank and terminating adjacent the end of the tank associated with the higher end of the bottom to feed the solid into the tank remote from the outlet for the slurry.

Claim 9

A hopper assembly for forming a slurry of a granular solid product and water is restricted spaces for transportation by a slurry pump comprising: an open-topped tank having horizontal dimensions greater than vertical dimensions and having interconnected end walls and side walls and a bottom tapered downwardly toward one end wall; a water manifold extending around the lower portion of the end wall at the higher end of the bottom and around adjacent portions of the side walls communicating with the interior of the tank through slots formed in the respective end wall and adjacent portions of the side walls; a water supply line connected to the manifold; a control valve in the water supply line; means for feeding the granular solid into the tank adjacent the higher end of the bottom; the end wall at the lower end of the bottom having an outlet opening formed therein for discharge of slurry formed in the tank; a plurality of vertical baffles extending between the side walls having the lower edges thereof positioned above the slots through which the water enters the tank; a level control sensor positioned in the tank above said outlet opening; and a level controller connected to the sensor and the control valve for maintaining the water level in the tank above said outlet opening.

Claim 10

A hopper assembly for forming a slurry of a granular solid product and water is restricted spaces for transportation by a slurry pump comprising: an open-topped tank having horizontal dimensions greater than vertical dimensions and having interconnected end walls and side walls and a bottom tapered downwardly toward one end wall; a water manifold extending around the lower portion of the end wall at the higher end of the bottom and around adjacent portions of the side walls communicating with the interior of the tank through slots formed in the respective end wall and adjacent portions of the side walls; a water supply line connected to the manifold; a control valve in the water supply line; means for feeding the granular solid into the tank adjacent the higher end of the bottom; the end wall at the lower end of the bottom having an outlet opening formed therein for discharge of slurry formed in the tank; a plurality of vertical baffles extending between the side walls having the lower edges thereof positioned above the slots through which the water enters the tank; a level control sensor positioned in the tank above said outlet opening; and a level controller connected to the sensor and the control valve for maintaining the water level in the tank above said outlet opening.

Claim 11

The assembly defined in claim 8 wherein the sensor is positioned between the vertical baffle located nearest to the end wall having the outlet opening therein and said end wall.