Apparatus and methods are disclosed for uptake and transport of particulate matter in a gas stream. The apparatus includes a receiver for the particulate matter connected with a gravity feed input channel assembly with a passive metering orifice therein. An in-line aeration and distribution chamber assembly is connected with an outlet from the input channel assembly and includes a chamber with plural discrete gas intake passageways opening thereinto. An outlet channel exits the chamber and is connectable with a vacuum suction source for directing a gas stream having the particulate matter entrained therein from the apparatus.

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for uptake and transport of particulate matter in a gas stream. The apparatus includes a receiver for the particulate matter connected with a gravity feed input channel assembly with a passive metering orifice therein. An in-line aeration and distribution chamber assembly is connected with an outlet from the input channel assembly and includes a chamber with plural discrete gas intake passageways opening thereinto. An outlet channel exits the chamber and is connectable with a vacuum suction source for directing a gas stream having the particulate matter entrained therein from the apparatus.

A bag configured to contain and transport bulk material includes at least one through-hole positioned at an upper portion of the bag to facilitate ingress/egress of a hoist-member of a hoisting machine. Other embodiments include a spout located at a bottom-side portion of the bag or at a base of the bag, and inserts placed at a base of the bag to form a desired contour to generate a gradient by which the material may flow. The inserts may be temporarily placed at the base or permanently affixed thereto. Further embodiments may include a contoured base without the use of inserts to generate the gradient. Methods of use include stacking and handling the bags without requiring an operator in addition to the one operating the hoisting machine or requiring the hoist machine operator to interrupt operation of the hoist machine to rig the bag to the hoist machine.

A bag configured to contain and transport bulk material includes at least one through-hole positioned at an upper portion of the bag to facilitate ingress/egress of a hoist-member of a hoisting machine. Other embodiments include a spout located at a bottom-side portion of the bag or at a base of the bag, and inserts placed at a base of the bag to form a desired contour to generate a gradient by which the material may flow. The inserts may be temporarily placed at the base or permanently affixed thereto. Further embodiments may include a contoured base without the use of inserts to generate the gradient. Methods of use include stacking and handling the bags without requiring an operator in addition to the one operating the hoisting machine or requiring the hoist machine operator to interrupt operation of the hoist machine to rig the bag to the hoist machine.

A system for temporary storage and offloading of granular materials is presented. The system comprises a tank for storage of a granular material and a suction head for offloading granular material from the tank. The suction head comprises a lower end, an outlet for removing granular material from the suction head, and sidewalls, extending from the lower end to the outlet. The suction head ) further comprises at least one opening for the inflow of granular material into the suction head and one or more nozzles configured to emit a pressurized fluid. The one or more nozzles comprise one or more inner nozzles, configured to generate a helical flow within the suction head, and one or more outer nozzles, configured to generate a helical flow around the suction head in the same direction as the inner nozzles. Also presented is a method for storage and offloading of granular materials.

A system for temporary storage and offloading of granular materials is presented. The system comprises a tank for storage of a granular material and a suction head for offloading granular material from the tank. The suction head comprises a lower end, an outlet for removing granular material from the suction head, and sidewalls, extending from the lower end to the outlet. The suction head ) further comprises at least one opening for the inflow of granular material into the suction head and one or more nozzles configured to emit a pressurized fluid. The one or more nozzles comprise one or more inner nozzles, configured to generate a helical flow within the suction head, and one or more outer nozzles, configured to generate a helical flow around the suction head in the same direction as the inner nozzles. Also presented is a method for storage and offloading of granular materials.

A method for handling polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) powder, the method including receiving PTFE powder into a hopper having a conical section; reducing a sticking force (1) between an inner surface of the conical section of the hopper and the PTFE powder, (2) among particles of the PTFE powder, or both; discharging the PTFE powder from an outlet located near a base of the conical section of the hopper into a transfer channel; applying a pressure differential to the transfer channel to convey the PTFE powder in a dilute phase including a gas and the PTFE powder along the transfer channel; and at an outlet of the transfer channel, separating the PTFE powder from the gas, in which the separated PTFE powder has a particle morphology that is sufficient for dry manufacturing of film battery electrodes.

A method for handling polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) powder, the method including receiving PTFE powder into a hopper having a conical section; reducing a sticking force (1) between an inner surface of the conical section of the hopper and the PTFE powder, (2) among particles of the PTFE powder, or both; discharging the PTFE powder from an outlet located near a base of the conical section of the hopper into a transfer channel; applying a pressure differential to the transfer channel to convey the PTFE powder in a dilute phase including a gas and the PTFE powder along the transfer channel; and at an outlet of the transfer channel, separating the PTFE powder from the gas, in which the separated PTFE powder has a particle morphology that is sufficient for dry manufacturing of film battery electrodes.

A system for temporary storage and offloading of granular materials is presented. The system comprises a tank for storage of a granular material and a suction head for offloading granular material from the tank. The suction head comprises a lower end, an outlet for removing granular material from the suction head, and sidewalls, extending from the lower end to the outlet. The suction head further comprises at least one opening for the inflow of granular material into the suction head and one or more nozzles configured to emit a pressurized fluid. The one or more nozzles comprise one or more inner nozzles, configured to generate a helical flow within the suction head, and one or more outer nozzles, configured to generate a helical flow around the suction head in the same direction as the inner nozzles. Also presented is a method for storage and offloading of granular materials.

A system for temporary storage and offloading of granular materials is presented. The system comprises a tank for storage of a granular material and a suction head for offloading granular material from the tank. The suction head comprises a lower end, an outlet for removing granular material from the suction head, and sidewalls, extending from the lower end to the outlet. The suction head further comprises at least one opening for the inflow of granular material into the suction head and one or more nozzles configured to emit a pressurized fluid. The one or more nozzles comprise one or more inner nozzles, configured to generate a helical flow within the suction head, and one or more outer nozzles, configured to generate a helical flow around the suction head in the same direction as the inner nozzles. Also presented is a method for storage and offloading of granular materials.