A valve with a valve upper plate defining an inlet, a valve body defining an outlet, and a fluid passage. A closure member is disposed in the fluid passage between the inlet and the outlet and has a convex sealing surface and is rotatable between a closed position in which the closure member extends across the fluid passage with the convex sealing surface oriented towards the inlet and an open position in which fluid is able to flow through the fluid passage from the inlet to the outlet. A resilient sealing ring, when the closure member is in the closed position, is moveable between a first configuration in which the sealing ring forms a seal around a circumference of the convex sealing surface and a second configuration in which the valve comprises a circumferential gap between the convex sealing surface and the sealing ring.

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.

A valve with a valve upper plate defining an inlet, a valve body defining an outlet, and a fluid passage. A closure member is disposed in the fluid passage between the inlet and the outlet and has a convex sealing surface and is rotatable between a closed position in which the closure member extends across the fluid passage with the convex sealing surface oriented towards the inlet and an open position in which fluid is able to flow through the fluid passage from the inlet to the outlet. A resilient sealing ring, when the closure member is in the closed position, is moveable between a first configuration in which the sealing ring forms a seal around a circumference of the convex sealing surface and a second configuration in which the valve comprises a circumferential gap between the convex sealing surface and the sealing ring.

A feed system includes a wear pad and one or more hold downs. The wear pad is operable to provide a seal over at least one pressure port and at least one corresponding material port of a feed wheel. The wear pad is in fluid communication with a pneumatic supply operable to provide pneumatic gas to the pressure port to discharge material from the material port. The hold downs are operable to apply pressure against the wear pad such that the hold downs provide consistent, equal pressure to the wear pad against the feed wheel.

A feed wheel is provided that includes a body, a plurality of material ports formed in the body, and a plurality of outer pressure ports formed in the body. The body is operable to rotate about a central axis. The material ports are operable to receive material. The outer pressure ports are positioned radially outward in relation to the material ports. Each of the outer pressure ports is operable to receive pressurized gas when in registration with a pneumatic supply as the body rotates about the central axis. Each of the outer pressure ports are in fluid communication with a corresponding material port such that when an outer pressure port receives the pressurized gas, the pressurized gas discharges the material from the corresponding material port s out of the top surface of the body.

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.

A feed wheel is provided that includes a body, a plurality of material ports formed in the body, and a plurality of outer pressure ports formed in the body. The body is operable to rotate about a central axis. The material ports are operable to receive material. The outer pressure ports are positioned radially outward in relation to the material ports. Each of the outer pressure ports is operable to receive pressurized gas when in registration with a pneumatic supply as the body rotates about the central axis. Each of the outer pressure ports are in fluid communication with a corresponding material port such that when an outer pressure port receives the pressurized gas, the pressurized gas discharges the material from the corresponding material port s out of the top surface of the body.