The invention relates to a discharge screw arrangement (12) for discharging lignocellulosic material (7) from a lignocellulosic treatment reactor (1) and comprises a discharge screw (10), a feeder pipe (11) and a blow pipe (5), the discharge screw being accommodated in and rotatably arranged inside the feeder pipe and being configured to mechanically transport the lignocellulosic material in a longitudinal direction along a rotational axis of the discharge screw through the feeder pipe towards a downstream end (14) of the feeder pipe, which discharge screw arrangement is configured to allow steam to flow through the feeder pipe to help transporting the lignocellulosic material in the longitudinal direction along through the feeder pipe and out of the feeder pipe through an outlet nozzle (24) arranged in a side wall of the feeder pipe (11) at the downstream end of the feeder pipe and into the blow pipe, wherein the discharge screw arrangement further comprises a material spreader (20), which is rotatably arranged at the downstream end of the feeder pipe and is configured to transport the lignocellulosic material in a radial direction, perpendicular to a rotational axis of the material spreader, towards the outlet nozzle, which is arranged peripherally of the material spreader, and out of the feeder pipe through the outlet nozzle and into the blow pipe.

The invention relates to a discharge screw arrangement (12) for discharging lignocellulosic material (7) from a lignocellulosic treatment reactor (1) and comprises a discharge screw (10), a feeder pipe (11) and a blow pipe (5), the discharge screw being accommodated in and rotatably arranged inside the feeder pipe and being configured to mechanically transport the lignocellulosic material in a longitudinal direction along a rotational axis of the discharge screw through the feeder pipe towards a downstream end (14) of the feeder pipe, which discharge screw arrangement is configured to allow steam to flow through the feeder pipe to help transporting the lignocellulosic material in the longitudinal direction along through the feeder pipe and out of the feeder pipe through an outlet nozzle (24) arranged in a side wall of the feeder pipe (11) at the downstream end of the feeder pipe and into the blow pipe, wherein the discharge screw arrangement further comprises a material spreader (20), which is rotatably arranged at the downstream end of the feeder pipe and is configured to transport the lignocellulosic material in a radial direction, perpendicular to a rotational axis of the material spreader, towards the outlet nozzle, which is arranged peripherally of the material spreader, and out of the feeder pipe through the outlet nozzle and into the blow pipe.

In one aspect there is provided a hopper, for use with a grain bin having a gate assembly with bolts or flanged edges. The hopper comprises a concave shape, a bottom, and hopper walls forming a chamber with an open top for receiving granular materials from the gate assembly. A mounting member is positioned on the hopper walls adjacent the open top to mount the hopper from the gate assembly's bolts or flanged edges.

A device for producing granular materials or extrudates. The device includes a container having: an inlet for the material to be treated, an inlet for a liquid; a stirring device for producing an intermediate product from the material to be processed and the liquid; an outlet for the intermediate product; and an emptying pipe. The device includes an emptying pipe, which has: an inlet for the intermediate product; an outlet for the granular material or extrudate; and a conveying device, which conveys the intermediate product from the inlet of the emptying pipe toward the outlet of the emptying pipe, the emptying pipe, which is rotatable about an axis E-E, being arranged on the container in such a way that the emptying pipe can be moved between an open position and a closed position relative to the container.

A device for producing granular materials or extrudates. The device includes a container having: an inlet for the material to be treated, an inlet for a liquid; a stirring device for producing an intermediate product from the material to be processed and the liquid; an outlet for the intermediate product; and an emptying pipe. The device includes an emptying pipe, which has: an inlet for the intermediate product; an outlet for the granular material or extrudate; and a conveying device, which conveys the intermediate product from the inlet of the emptying pipe toward the outlet of the emptying pipe, the emptying pipe, which is rotatable about an axis E-E, being arranged on the container in such a way that the emptying pipe can be moved between an open position and a closed position relative to the container.

An apparatus comprises a hopper housing, a first auger, a second auger, a dividing panel, and a motor. The hopper housing holds a bulk material, with the hopper housing including a first end at which the bulk material is added to the hopper housing and a second end comprising a discharge opening at which the bulk material exits the hopper housing. The first auger is disposed proximate to the discharge opening. The second auger is disposed between the first end of the hopper housing and the first auger. The dividing panel is disposed between the first auger and the second auger and the dividing panel is coupled to the hopper housing at the first side thereof and forming a panel opening between the hopper housing and the second side thereof. The motor rotates the first auger and the second auger to move the bulk material into the discharge opening.

An apparatus comprises a hopper housing, a first auger, a second auger, a dividing panel, and a motor. The hopper housing holds a bulk material, with the hopper housing including a first end at which the bulk material is added to the hopper housing and a second end comprising a discharge opening at which the bulk material exits the hopper housing. The first auger is disposed proximate to the discharge opening. The second auger is disposed between the first end of the hopper housing and the first auger. The dividing panel is disposed between the first auger and the second auger and the dividing panel is coupled to the hopper housing at the first side thereof and forming a panel opening between the hopper housing and the second side thereof. The motor rotates the first auger and the second auger to move the bulk material into the discharge opening.

A method for emptying a device for producing granules or extrudates. The device includes a container having an inlet for the material to be treated, an inlet for a liquid, a stirring device, an outlet for said intermediate product, and an emptying pipe having an inlet for the intermediate product and an outlet for the granules or extrudate as well as a conveying device conveying the intermediate product from the inlet of the emptying pipe in the direction of the outlet of the emptying pipe. The method includes the steps of: producing the intermediate product from the material to be treated and the liquid in the container; moving the emptying pipe from the closed position with respect to the container into an open position with respect to the container; and conveying the intermediate product from the container and via the conveying devices.

A method for emptying a device for producing granules or extrudates. The device includes a container having an inlet for the material to be treated, an inlet for a liquid, a stirring device, an outlet for said intermediate product, and an emptying pipe having an inlet for the intermediate product and an outlet for the granules or extrudate as well as a conveying device conveying the intermediate product from the inlet of the emptying pipe in the direction of the outlet of the emptying pipe. The method includes the steps of: producing the intermediate product from the material to be treated and the liquid in the container; moving the emptying pipe from the closed position with respect to the container into an open position with respect to the container; and conveying the intermediate product from the container and via the conveying devices.

A cargo unloading system is described. It provides more efficient intermodal transportation by transferring cargo such as granulates, brans, powders or solids placed inside a shipping container through tubes with internal threads to the next transport mode automatically and in a very short period of time. The system is made up of the cargo container, a mechanical unloading system with motors actuated to move screws and an independent hydraulic/electric unit. The system can be mounted on a road-vehicle, ship, aircraft or stationary base, and it may also be self-propelled.