Pump for particulate solids

Claim 1

A rotary channel pump for processing a particulate solid material comprising a rotary flow channel having an inlet and an outlet and including: (i) a substantially annular drag flow channel segment formed between a stationary outer wall member and a rotating circular inner wall member, said annular drag flow channel segment having an upstream end communicating with said inlet, and a downstream end; and (ii) a substantially straight channel segment formed between a first substantially planar stationary wall portion and a second substantially planar stationary wall portion to provide for smooth passage of said particulate solid material through said flow channel and to prevent melting and thermal degradation of said particulate solid material within said flow channel, said substantially straight channel segment having an upstream end communicating with said downstream end of said annular drag flow channel segment, and a downstream end communicating with said outlet; said pump further including a rotary feeder connected with said inlet of said flow channel for precompacting said particulate solid material prior to passing it into said flow channel, wherein said rotating inner wall member is connected to a drive for rotating said inner wall member in a first direction of rotation and said rotary feeder comprising a housing having an upper and a lower end, and a rotor near said lower end of said housing and comprising at least one displacement element, said rotor being connected to a drive for rotating said rotor in a direction opposite said first direction of rotation of said inner wall member.