Advanced Powder Feeding Device for Use in Gas/Solid Plasma Synthesis and Processing Applications

Abstract

ABSTRACTA series of powder feeders, developed during the course of an experimental study involving the synthesis of carbon monoxide from pure carbon and carbon dioxide, have been described in detail. The most efficient and reliable of these powder feeders was capable of continuously producing uniform mixtures of powdered carbon entrained in carbon dioxide gas. This device was also capable of producing a relatively wide range of solid/ gas mixture ratios (from about 0.8 to 3.2 g/l) at carbon dioxide gas flow rates between 75 and 200 1/min. In addition, it was relatively easy to vary and control solid/gas mixture ratios and gas flow rates using this powder feeder. Similar powder feeders may be useful in other thermal plasma synthesis or processing applications as well as in other applications requiring accurately blended mixtures of gases and powdered solids