Provided is a pressurizing system which includes: a pressurizing nozzle configured to supply a pressurizing gas into a hopper (3) where pulverized coal is accumulated; a filter configured to face a space in the hopper (3) where the pulverized coal is accumulated, and to allow the pressurizing gas to pass through the filter, the filter being provided at an end of the pressurizing nozzle; buffer tanks (5a), (5b) in which a pressurizing gas to be supplied to the hopper (3) is collected at a first predetermined pressure; and a pressure control means configured to start, at a time of starting pressurization of the hopper (3), supply of a pressurizing gas at a second predetermined pressure which is lower than the first predetermined pressure of the pressurizing gas collected in the buffer tanks (5a), (5b).

Provided is a pressurizing system which includes: a pressurizing nozzle configured to supply a pressurizing gas into a hopper (3) where pulverized coal is accumulated; a filter configured to face a space in the hopper (3) where the pulverized coal is accumulated, and to allow the pressurizing gas to pass through the filter, the filter being provided at an end of the pressurizing nozzle; buffer tanks (5a), (5b) in which a pressurizing gas to be supplied to the hopper (3) is collected at a first predetermined pressure; and a pressure control means configured to start, at a time of starting pressurization of the hopper (3), supply of a pressurizing gas at a second predetermined pressure which is lower than the first predetermined pressure of the pressurizing gas collected in the buffer tanks (5a), (5b).

A process for pressurizing bulk material in an apparatus for pressurizing bulk material in a hopper; wherein the hopper is configured as a lock hopper containing a bulk material, wherein the apparatus comprises a source of pressurized gas, lines to convey the pressurized gas from the source of pressurized gas to one or more inlets of the lock hopper, a valve arrangement arranged in the lines, wherein the process is characterized in that said valve arrangement comprises at least two valves arranged in parallel, each valve being connected to a downstream Laval tuyere, and in that said valves are controlled to open in an operating sequence to provide pressurizing gas with an adjusted gas flow rate to the lock hopper.

A process for pressurizing bulk material in an apparatus for pressurizing bulk material in a hopper; wherein the hopper is configured as a lock hopper containing a bulk material, wherein the apparatus comprises a source of pressurized gas, lines to convey the pressurized gas from the source of pressurized gas to one or more inlets of the lock hopper, a valve arrangement arranged in the lines, wherein the process is characterized in that said valve arrangement comprises at least two valves arranged in parallel, each valve being connected to a downstream Laval tuyere, and in that said valves are controlled to open in an operating sequence to provide pressurizing gas with an adjusted gas flow rate to the lock hopper.

In one embodiment, a feed system for distributing fluidized feed material, comprises: a distribution unit configured to fluidize feed material; and a control unit fluidly coupled to the distribution unit, wherein the control unit comprises: a chamber configured to hold the feed material provided from the distribution unit; and a feeder unit fluidly coupled to the chamber: and a second gas inlet configured to provide gas to the chamber; and a material discharge pipe fluidly coupled to the chamber and the second gas inlet.

In one embodiment, a feed system for distributing fluidized feed material, comprises: a distribution unit configured to fluidize feed material; and a control unit fluidly coupled to the distribution unit, wherein the control unit comprises: a chamber configured to hold the feed material provided from the distribution unit; and a feeder unit fluidly coupled to the chamber: and a second gas inlet configured to provide gas to the chamber; and a material discharge pipe fluidly coupled to the chamber and the second gas inlet.

A pneumatic valve for an agricultural product distribution system includes a fan inlet, a tank outlet, a shuttle, a control pressure inlet, and a diaphragm. The fan inlet is coupled to an air source that supplies an air stream into a primary line, which facilitates distributing a granular product to an agricultural implement by guiding the air stream from a first section to a second section of the primary line, the first section having a larger cross-sectional area than the second section. A tank outlet is fluidly coupled to a storage tank. The control pressure inlet is fluidly coupled to the second section of the primary line or to a meter housing. The diaphragm has a first side that is coupled to the shuttle and is exposed to static pressure in the storage tank and a second side that is exposed to the static pressure in the second section of the primary line or the meter housing, and aligns a shuttle hole of the shuttle with the fan inlet when the static pressure in the storage tank is not greater than the static pressure in the second section of the primary line or the meter housing by a threshold amount.

A pneumatic valve for an agricultural product distribution system includes a fan inlet, a tank outlet, a shuttle, a control pressure inlet, and a diaphragm. The fan inlet is coupled to an air source that supplies an air stream into a primary line, which facilitates distributing a granular product to an agricultural implement by guiding the air stream from a first section to a second section of the primary line, the first section having a larger cross-sectional area than the second section. A tank outlet is fluidly coupled to a storage tank. The control pressure inlet is fluidly coupled to the second section of the primary line or to a meter housing. The diaphragm has a first side that is coupled to the shuttle and is exposed to static pressure in the storage tank and a second side that is exposed to the static pressure in the second section of the primary line or the meter housing, and aligns a shuttle hole of the shuttle with the fan inlet when the static pressure in the storage tank is not greater than the static pressure in the second section of the primary line or the meter housing by a threshold amount.

A pneumatic valve for an agricultural product distribution system includes a fan inlet, a tank outlet, a shuttle, a control pressure inlet, and a diaphragm. The fan inlet is coupled to an air source that supplies an air stream into a primary line, which facilitates distributing a granular product to an agricultural implement by guiding the air stream from a first section to a second section of the primary line, the first section having a larger cross-sectional area than the second section. A tank outlet is fluidly coupled to a storage tank. The control pressure inlet is fluidly coupled to the second section of the primary line or to a meter housing. The diaphragm has a first side that is coupled to the shuttle and is exposed to static pressure in the storage tank and a second side that is exposed to the static pressure in the second section of the primary line or the meter housing, and aligns a shuttle hole of the shuttle with the fan inlet when the static pressure in the storage tank is not greater than the static pressure in the second section of the primary line or the meter housing by a threshold amount.

A pneumatic valve for an agricultural product distribution system includes a fan inlet, a tank outlet, a shuttle, a control pressure inlet, and a diaphragm. The fan inlet is coupled to an air source that supplies an air stream into a primary line, which facilitates distributing a granular product to an agricultural implement by guiding the air stream from a first section to a second section of the primary line, the first section having a larger cross-sectional area than the second section. A tank outlet is fluidly coupled to a storage tank. The control pressure inlet is fluidly coupled to the second section of the primary line or to a meter housing. The diaphragm has a first side that is coupled to the shuttle and is exposed to static pressure in the storage tank and a second side that is exposed to the static pressure in the second section of the primary line or the meter housing, and aligns a shuttle hole of the shuttle with the fan inlet when the static pressure in the storage tank is not greater than the static pressure in the second section of the primary line or the meter housing by a threshold amount.