A shipping container vibratory loading and unloading system includes a shipping container having an opening therein for transferring cargo; a chassis, the shipping container disposed thereon; and a vibratory system being configured to transfer the cargo relative to the shipping container. The vibratory system may be used to load and unload the cargo.

A pulverized-fuel supply unit includes a hopper, first nozzles, second nozzles, a pressurizing-gas supply device, a fluidization-gas supply device, and a pulverized-fuel supply line. The hopper has a hollow to store therein pulverized fuel. The first nozzles are provided to the hopper. The second nozzles are provided to a vertically lower part of the hopper below the plurality of first nozzles. The pressurizing-gas supply device is configured to supply pressurizing gas to increase internal pressure of the hopper. The fluidization-gas supply device is configured to supply fluidization gas to fluidize the pulverized fuel in the hopper. The pulverized-fuel supply line is provided to a vertically lower part of the hopper. The pressurizing-gas supply device supplies pressurizing gas to the first nozzles and the second nozzles. The fluidization-gas supply device supplies fluidization gas to the second nozzles.

A pulverized-fuel supply unit includes a hopper, first nozzles, second nozzles, a pressurizing-gas supply device, a fluidization-gas supply device, and a pulverized-fuel supply line. The hopper has a hollow to store therein pulverized fuel. The first nozzles are provided to the hopper. The second nozzles are provided to a vertically lower part of the hopper below the plurality of first nozzles. The pressurizing-gas supply device is configured to supply pressurizing gas to increase internal pressure of the hopper. The fluidization-gas supply device is configured to supply fluidization gas to fluidize the pulverized fuel in the hopper. The pulverized-fuel supply line is provided to a vertically lower part of the hopper. The pressurizing-gas supply device supplies pressurizing gas to the first nozzles and the second nozzles. The fluidization-gas supply device supplies fluidization gas to the second nozzles.

A bulk storage bin is provided for grain and particulate material and includes a hopper bottom formed by a plurality of trapezoidal panels, each having upper and lower edges and opposite side edges. Flanges extend outwardly along each edge of each panel to provide a bolted flanged joint for adjacent panels. Plate assemblies extend along the upper edge of each panel to form a continuous 360 compression ring when the panels are assembled. Each flange has a portion extending behind the plate assemblies, with interior bolt holes. An access hole is provided at each end of each plate assembly for access to the interior bolt holes.

A bulk storage bin is provided for grain and particulate material and includes a hopper bottom formed by a plurality of trapezoidal panels, each having upper and lower edges and opposite side edges. Flanges extend outwardly along each edge of each panel to provide a bolted flanged joint for adjacent panels. Plate assemblies extend along the upper edge of each panel to form a continuous 360 compression ring when the panels are assembled. Each flange has a portion extending behind the plate assemblies, with interior bolt holes. An access hole is provided at each end of each plate assembly for access to the interior bolt holes.

Methods and apparatus for the acceptance of loose components and feeding of individual components in a known position and orientation are disclosed.

Methods and apparatus for the acceptance of loose components and feeding of individual components in a known position and orientation are disclosed.

Provided is a dynamic vibration attenuation system 10 for a granular material silo 8. The system 10 comprises a sensor arrangement 12, a processor 16, and a damping arrangement 24. The sensor arrangement 12 is configured for operatively sensing, over a period comprising a plurality of instances of time, a displacement of the silo 8, a weight of granular material in the silo 8, and a flow rate of granular material discharged from the silo 8. The processor 16 is arranged in signal communication with the sensor arrangement 12 and is configured to calculate, at each instance of time, a resultant dynamic force from the sensed displacement, weight and flow rate. System 10 further includes damping arrangement 24 which is operatively responsive to the processor 16 and is configured to dynamically dampen the resultant dynamic force in order to maintain vibration amplitudes in the silo structure 9 below a user-selectable threshold.

Provided is a dynamic vibration attenuation system 10 for a granular material silo 8. The system 10 comprises a sensor arrangement 12, a processor 16, and a damping arrangement 24. The sensor arrangement 12 is configured for operatively sensing, over a period comprising a plurality of instances of time, a displacement of the silo 8, a weight of granular material in the silo 8, and a flow rate of granular material discharged from the silo 8. The processor 16 is arranged in signal communication with the sensor arrangement 12 and is configured to calculate, at each instance of time, a resultant dynamic force from the sensed displacement, weight and flow rate. System 10 further includes damping arrangement 24 which is operatively responsive to the processor 16 and is configured to dynamically dampen the resultant dynamic force in order to maintain vibration amplitudes in the silo structure 9 below a user-selectable threshold.

Methods for handling bulk material in a manner that reduces dust, noise, and emissions are provided. The presently disclosed techniques use portable containers to transfer bulk material from a transportation unit to a blender inlet. The containers may be carried to the location on the transportation unit, where a hoisting mechanism is used to remove the container from the transportation unit and place it in a desired location. When bulk material is needed at the blender inlet, the hoisting mechanism may position the container of bulk material onto an elevated support structure. Once on the support structure, the container may be opened to release bulk material to a gravity feed outlet, which routes the bulk material from the container directly into the blender inlet. The disclosed containerized bulk material transfer system and method allows for reduced dust, noise, and emissions on location.