Disclosed is a valve for use in particulate material processing. The valve has a rotatable closure member having a convex sealing surface and a resilient sealing ring moveable between a first configuration in which the sealing ring forms a seal around a circumference of the convex sealing surface; and a second position in which a circumferential gap is defined between the convex sealing surface and the sealing ring. The valve body defines a fluid-directing surface extending around the fluid passage between the inlet and the sealing ring to define an annular clearance which tapers towards the sealing ring and becomes narrower than the annular gap. When there is a pressure drop across the valve and before the closure member is moved to fully open the valve, material flowing through the valve experiences a dynamic pressure rise towards the circumferential gap, decreasing flow velocity and wear.

Disclosed is a valve for use in particulate material processing. The valve has a rotatable closure member having a convex sealing surface and a resilient sealing ring moveable between a first configuration in which the sealing ring forms a seal around a circumference of the convex sealing surface; and a second position in which a circumferential gap is defined between the convex sealing surface and the sealing ring. The valve body defines a fluid-directing surface extending around the fluid passage between the inlet and the sealing ring to define an annular clearance which tapers towards the sealing ring and becomes narrower than the annular gap. When there is a pressure drop across the valve and before the closure member is moved to fully open the valve, material flowing through the valve experiences a dynamic pressure rise towards the circumferential gap, decreasing flow velocity and wear.

The particularity of this invention is that the material is injected in the divergent section of the venturi.

The innovative material Conveying Venturi tube consist of two parts: the main tube and the feeding tube injecting the material by gravity, at the end of the cylindrical throat into the diffusion section. The venturi is composed of a contraction section, a throat section, and a diffusion section.

This device will convey distances exceeding 120 meters. The present invention permits multiple distances conveying by easily install another Conveying Venturi System at the end of the first conveying tube for extra length of conveying.

The particularity of this invention is that the material is injected in the divergent section of the venturi.

The innovative material Conveying Venturi tube consist of two parts: the main tube and the feeding tube injecting the material by gravity, at the end of the cylindrical throat into the diffusion section. The venturi is composed of a contraction section, a throat section, and a diffusion section.

This device will convey distances exceeding 120 meters. The present invention permits multiple distances conveying by easily install another Conveying Venturi System at the end of the first conveying tube for extra length of conveying.

The invention is a dispensing module for use in delivering measured doses of feed supplement to an animal. It comprises a storage container for holding the supplement and a metering module that is rotatably connected to the storage container for dispensing a measured (pre-determined) dose of the supplement. The dispensing module is adapted to be moved between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, the measured dose of the supplement is able to be dispensed out of the dispensing module. In the closed configuration, the measured dose of the supplement is prevented from being dispensed out of the dispensing module. Compressed air can be used to send the dose to an outlet when the dispensing module is closed.

The invention is a dispensing module for use in delivering measured doses of feed supplement to an animal. It comprises a storage container for holding the supplement and a metering module that is rotatably connected to the storage container for dispensing a measured (pre-determined) dose of the supplement. The dispensing module is adapted to be moved between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, the measured dose of the supplement is able to be dispensed out of the dispensing module. In the closed configuration, the measured dose of the supplement is prevented from being dispensed out of the dispensing module. Compressed air can be used to send the dose to an outlet when the dispensing module is closed.

A method of minimizing material mixing in a piping system during a transition between a first material and a second material includes providing a plurality of pipe pigs in a first pipe section with the plurality of pipe pigs being sufficient to substantially fill a cross-section of the first pipe section and to define a plug having a leading edge and a trailing edge such that the leading edge is in contact with a first material and the trailing edge is in contact with a second material. Each pipe pig has a nominal size that is smaller than an effective diameter of the first pipe section. The plug is moved through the piping system by moving the second material. Advantageously, mixing of the first material and the second material is inhibited by the plug.

A meter module for metering a product in communication with the meter module. The meter module includes a meter housing portion and a lower chamber portion, the meter housing portion having a top opening through which the product enters the meter housing portion. A metering mechanism is disposed in the meter housing portion and is rotatably driven by an electric motor about a longitudinal axis. As the metering mechanism rotates about the longitudinal axis, the metering mechanism meters the product into the lower chamber portion, the metered product exits the lower chamber portion through a bottom opening in the lower chamber portion. The lower chamber portion may include a flow sensor and/or internal structure to capture and weigh the metered product before exiting through the bottom.

A meter module for metering a product in communication with the meter module. The meter module includes a meter housing portion and a lower chamber portion, the meter housing portion having a top opening through which the product enters the meter housing portion. A metering mechanism is disposed in the meter housing portion and is rotatably driven by an electric motor about a longitudinal axis. As the metering mechanism rotates about the longitudinal axis, the metering mechanism meters the product into the lower chamber portion, the metered product exits the lower chamber portion through a bottom opening in the lower chamber portion. The lower chamber portion may include a flow sensor and/or internal structure to capture and weigh the metered product before exiting through the bottom.

A method and system for trans-loading solid particulates from a hopper to a storage container, by clamping a trough (110) to a discharge gate of the hopper, the trough having an open top, sides, and a bottom, a vacuum pipe (140) extending into the trough, and at least one aerator (150) located on the trough, to which is provided an aerating gas. The method further comprises at least partially evacuating the storage container to cause at least a partial vacuum therein and drawing a vacuum through a conveyor hose connected to the trough.