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An apparatus and a method for controlling the velocity of a particulate material conveyed by a gas flow under negative pressure in a duct said device comprising means for separating the flow into first and second streams. The first stream has a relatively high particulate material content and the se

An apparatus and a method for controlling the velocity of a particulate material conveyed by a gas flow under negative pressure in a duct said device comprising means for separating the flow into first and second streams. The first stream has a relatively high particulate material content and the second stream has a relatively low particulate material content. The flow of the second stream is restricted for example by a flow restricting or constricting orifice or valve. The duct diameter may increase incrementally along its length.

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1. Apparatus for conveying a particulate material from a first location to a second location within a gas stream under negative pressure, said apparatus comprising: a duct for conveying said particulate material from said first to said second location, a receiving vessel at said second location for

1. Apparatus for conveying a particulate material from a first location to a second location within a gas stream under negative pressure, said apparatus comprising: a duct for conveying said particulate material from said first to said second location, a receiving vessel at said second location for receiving said particulate material, and a device located proximate a discharge end of said duct and comprising means for separating the stream of particulate material and gas into a first stream containing a relatively high proportion of particulate material to gas and a second stream containing relatively low proportion of particulate material to gas, and means for restricting the gas flow in said second stream;further comprising a pressure vessel located downstream of the receiving vessel, the pressure vessel separated from the receiving vessel by a valve selectively operative to permit the transfer of particulate material between said receiving vessel and said pressure vessel, a vacuum generating means for generating a vacuum in said receiving vessel, and a valve selectively operative to create a vacuum in said pressure vessel matching the vacuum in said receiving vessel;wherein the apparatus is characterized by a filling state, in which particulate material is received in said receiving vessel and said valve operative to permit transfer of particulate material between said receiving vessel and said pressure vessel is closed, and a transfer state, in which, following operation of the valve to create a vacuum in said pressure vessel matching the vacuum in said receiving vessel, said valve operative to permit transfer of particulate material between said receiving vessel and said pressure vessel is opened so that said particulate material is transferred from said receiving vessel into said pressure vessel without adjustment of the pressure in said receiving vessel. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the duct is characterized by a diameter which increases along its length. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said increase in diameter is incremental. 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for restricting the gas flow is a flow restricting orifice. 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operational pressure in the receiving vessel is from about ½ to about ⅓ bar absolute. 6. Apparatus claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving vessel comprises a conveying gas outlet, and said device is located in the flow path of the conveying gas outlet. 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said device comprises a valve operative to control the flow of conveying gas through said conveying gas outlet. 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising detection means operative to determine when the level of particulate material in the receiving vessel has reached a predetermined level. 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a valve operative to control the flow of conveying gas through said conveying gas outlet, said valve operable to prevent flow of conveyed particulate material into the receiving vessel when said predetermined level is reached. 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second stream is vented to atmosphere. 11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises a variable flow control means and wherein the apparatus further comprises an air flow velocity meter located on a discharge side of the vacuum generating means, whereby a predetermined volume of gas flow at atmospheric pressure into the duct is operatively maintained by adjustment of said variable flow control means in response to the air flow measured by said air flow velocity meter. 12. Apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first vessel at the first location, within which the particulate material is initially contained. 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first vessel is an oil refinery reactor. 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the receiving vessel is a hopper. 15. Apparatus for conveying a particulate material from a first location to a second location within a gas stream under negative pressure, said apparatus comprising: a duct for conveying said particulate material from said first to said second location;a receiving vessel at said second location for receiving said particulate material;a pressure vessel located downstream of the receiving vessel, the pressure vessel separated from the receiving vessel by a closure which is selectively openable to permit the transfer of said particulate material between said receiving vessel and said pressure vessel, and a valve selectively operable to create in the pressure vessel, said a vacuum matching the vacuum in said receiving vessel so that, upon opening the closure between said receiving vessel and said pressure vessel, particulate material is transferred from said receiving vessel into said pressure vessel without adjustment of the pressure in said receiving vessel; andat least one vacuum pump for generating said vacuum in said receiving vessel and said vacuum in said pressure vessel; andwherein the apparatus is characterized by a filling state in which particulate material is received in said receiving vessel and said closure is closed, and a transfer state in which, following operation of said valve to create a vacuum in said pressure vessel matching the vacuum in said receiving vessel, said closure is opened so that said particulate material is transferred from said receiving vessel into said pressure vessel without adjustment of the pressure in said receiving vessel. 16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the duct is characterized by a diameter which increases along its length. 17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said increase in diameter is incremental. 18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the operational pressure in the receiving vessel is from about ½ to about ⅓ bar absolute. 19. Apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a device located proximate a discharge end of said duct and comprising means for separating the stream of particulate material and gas into a first stream containing a relatively high proportion of particulate material to gas and a second stream containing relatively low proportion of particulate material to gas, and means for restricting the gas flow in said second stream. 20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the means for restricting the gas flow is a flow restricting orifice. 21. Apparatus claimed in claim 19, wherein the receiving vessel comprises a conveying gas outlet, and said device is located in the flow path of the conveying gas outlet. 22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said device comprises a valve operative to control the flow of conveying gas through said conveying gas outlet. 23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the second stream is vented to atmosphere. 24. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said device comprises a variable flow control means, and wherein the apparatus further comprises an air flow velocity meter located on a discharge side of the vacuum generating means, whereby a predetermined volume of gas flow at atmospheric pressure into the duct is operatively maintained by adjustment of said variable flow control means in response to the air flow measured by said air flow velocity meter. 25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, further comprising detection means operative to determine when the level of particulate material in the receiving vessel has reached a predetermined level. 26. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25, further comprising a valve operative to control the flow of conveying gas through said conveying gas outlet, said valve operable to prevent flow of conveyed particulate material into the receiving vessel when said predetermined level is reached. 27. Apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a first vessel at the first location, within which the particulate material is initially contained. 28. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the first vessel is an oil refinery reactor. 29. Apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein the receiving vessel is a hopper. 30. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said valve is disposed between said at least one vacuum pump and said pressure vessel.