A fish pumping system for moving upload water and fish includes a buffer pipe section having an upstream end and a downstream end. An inlet valve assembly is at the upstream end and provides fluid communication between the buffer pipe and an upstream fish origin. An outlet valve assembly is at the downstream end 5 and provides fluid communication between the buffer pipe and a fish destination. An inlet branch pipe is in fluid communication with the upstream end and an outlet branch pipe is in fluid communication with the downstream end. A production water piping circuit is in communication with the inlet branch pipe and the outlet branch pipe and forms a loop with the buffer pipe section. The 10 production water circuit pumps production water into the buffer pipe section through the inlet branch pipe and out from the buffer pipe section through the outlet branch pipe.

A fish pumping system for moving upload water and fish includes a buffer pipe section having an upstream end and a downstream end. An inlet valve assembly is at the upstream end and provides fluid communication between the buffer pipe and an upstream fish origin. An outlet valve assembly is at the downstream end 5 and provides fluid communication between the buffer pipe and a fish destination. An inlet branch pipe is in fluid communication with the upstream end and an outlet branch pipe is in fluid communication with the downstream end. A production water piping circuit is in communication with the inlet branch pipe and the outlet branch pipe and forms a loop with the buffer pipe section. The 10 production water circuit pumps production water into the buffer pipe section through the inlet branch pipe and out from the buffer pipe section through the outlet branch pipe.

A process is described that includes flowing a carrier fluid through a transfer line, feeding polymer pellets into the transfer line at a feed location, measuring a first pressure value of the carrier fluid at a location in the transfer line upstream of the feed location, measuring a second pressure value of the carrier fluid and polymer pellets at a downstream location in the transfer line which is downstream of the feed location, and determining a mass flow rate of the polymer pellets flowing in the transfer line based on a differential pressure between the first pressure value and the second pressure value.

A process is described that includes flowing a carrier fluid through a transfer line, feeding polymer pellets into the transfer line at a feed location, measuring a first pressure value of the carrier fluid at a location in the transfer line upstream of the feed location, measuring a second pressure value of the carrier fluid and polymer pellets at a downstream location in the transfer line which is downstream of the feed location, and determining a mass flow rate of the polymer pellets flowing in the transfer line based on a differential pressure between the first pressure value and the second pressure value.

A powder conveyor has a pneumatically actuated dense phase powder pump and a pressure controller. The dense phase powder pump comprises at least one conveyor chamber having a powder inlet valve and a powder outlet valve. The pressure controller can be used to adjust and maintain a set pressure on the at least one conveyor chamber of the dense phase powder pump that is or can be previously defined and/or to adjust and maintain an actuation pressure on the powder inlet valve or the powder outlet valve that is or can be previously defined. The powder conveyor further comprises a gas flow detection device for detecting or determining a quantity of gas that is fed or removed per time unit when the set pressure is adjusted and maintained on the at least one conveyor chamber or a quantity of gas that is fed to the powder inlet valve or the powder outlet valve per time unit when the actuation pressure is adjusted and maintained. An evaluation device compares at least one detected or determined gas flow value with a corresponding set value and automatically generates an error and/or alarm signal when a deviation is detected.

A powder conveyor has a pneumatically actuated dense phase powder pump and a pressure controller. The dense phase powder pump comprises at least one conveyor chamber having a powder inlet valve and a powder outlet valve. The pressure controller can be used to adjust and maintain a set pressure on the at least one conveyor chamber of the dense phase powder pump that is or can be previously defined and/or to adjust and maintain an actuation pressure on the powder inlet valve or the powder outlet valve that is or can be previously defined. The powder conveyor further comprises a gas flow detection device for detecting or determining a quantity of gas that is fed or removed per time unit when the set pressure is adjusted and maintained on the at least one conveyor chamber or a quantity of gas that is fed to the powder inlet valve or the powder outlet valve per time unit when the actuation pressure is adjusted and maintained. An evaluation device compares at least one detected or determined gas flow value with a corresponding set value and automatically generates an error and/or alarm signal when a deviation is detected.

Methods and systems for transferring feed materials between zones having substantially different pressures, where the transfer can be continuous or semi-continuous. The methods and systems include a plurality of lock hoppers to receive feed material from a low pressure zone and pressurize it with fluid to a pressure of a high pressure zone. The pressurized material can be discharged to a circulation loop, which carries the pressurized material to one or more receiving unit(s) of a pressurized system. At least some feed material remains in the receiving unit(s) and at least a portion of the fluid exits to become part of the circulation loop. After discharge, the lock hoppers can be depressurized so the next pressurization cycle can begin with additional feed material. The lock hoppers can be operated in a time-staggered manner to provide continuous or semi-continuous transfer of material.

Methods and systems for transferring feed materials between zones having substantially different pressures, where the transfer can be continuous or semi-continuous. The methods and systems include a plurality of lock hoppers to receive feed material from a low pressure zone and pressurize it with fluid to a pressure of a high pressure zone. The pressurized material can be discharged to a circulation loop, which carries the pressurized material to one or more receiving unit(s) of a pressurized system. At least some feed material remains in the receiving unit(s) and at least a portion of the fluid exits to become part of the circulation loop. After discharge, the lock hoppers can be depressurized so the next pressurization cycle can begin with additional feed material. The lock hoppers can be operated in a time-staggered manner to provide continuous or semi-continuous transfer of material.

A feeder arrangement for a slurry transport system, which is preferably a hydro hoist, includes a chamber with a high pressure water inlet, a low pressure water outlet, and a low pressure solids inlet at a top end. The low pressure solids inlet has a transfer chute that opens into a lower section of the chamber to maintain a clear-water environment adjacent the top end. A high pressure solids and water outlet is provided at a bottom end. The inlets and outlets are controlled by suitable valves. Three such chambers are preferably operated together in sequence between incoming and outgoing columns in a mine.

A feeder arrangement for a slurry transport system, which is preferably a hydro hoist, includes a chamber with a high pressure water inlet, a low pressure water outlet, and a low pressure solids inlet at a top end. The low pressure solids inlet has a transfer chute that opens into a lower section of the chamber to maintain a clear-water environment adjacent the top end. A high pressure solids and water outlet is provided at a bottom end. The inlets and outlets are controlled by suitable valves. Three such chambers are preferably operated together in sequence between incoming and outgoing columns in a mine.