Apparatus for processing materials which are difficult to expand with gas and/or liquid, in an expanded layer

Claim 1

Fluidized bed apparatus for processing a first material to an end product, comprising: a casing having a relatively narrow lower portion communicating with a relatively wide upper portion; a curved elongated trough-like perforated lattice fluidization grate dividing said lower portion of said casing into an upper working space and a lower section comprising at least first, second and third fluid inlet chambers longitudinally disposed seriatim adjacent said grate; an elongated rotatable agitating and material advancing member disposed within said upper working space and having a shaft rotatably mounted to opposite end walls of said casing, and a plurality of radially extending agitation blades secured to said shaft; a first product inlet adjacent the top of said casing for receiving said first material to be processed; outlet means for spent media adjacent the top of said casing; an end product outlet disposed at one end of said upper working space adjacent said third fluid inlet chamber and communicating with said upper working space; means for rotating said agitating member to agitate said first material and to advance said first material toward said end product outlet at a predetermined speed; means for introducing a first fluid at a first pressure, temperature and flow rate into said first fluid inlet chamber, to subject said material to a first processing condition; means for introducing a second fluid at a second pressure, temperature and flow rate into said second fluid inlet chamber, to subject said material to a second processing condition; means for introducing a third fluid at a third pressure, temperature and flow rate into said third fluid inlet chamber, to subject said material to a third processing condition.