FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10; rule 13)
Title of the Invention APPARATUS FOR DISPERSAL OF SOLIDS
Applicant THERMAX LIMITED
D13, R D Aga Road, MIDC, Chinchwad, Pune 411019, Maharashtra, India.
The following specification describes the invention:

[001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[002] The present invention relates generally to systems for achieving distribution of solids input to a reaction space and more particularly to an apparatus for optimal dispersal of sized solid fuel input to combustion zone in a fluid bed combustion system.
[003] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[004] In combustion systems utilizing sized solid fuels, it is necessary to feed, introduce and inject said solid fuel in the combustion zone at a constant rate required by combustion characteristics. For complete combustion of input solids, it is imperative that any agglomeration in the combustion space needs to be avoided and that the dispersal of solids in the reaction space is ultimately decisive of the combustion throughput.
[005] Conventional systems utilize pneumatic means for dispersing solids in combustion zones. The components comprising such means are constantly subjected to high temperatures as well as forces exerted by impingement of pneumatically pressured solid particles. This results in severe wear and tear of these parts. Due to unit construction of these devices, their maintenance, cost and ease of replacing worn-out components is low. Achievement of minimal down-time on account of replacement of worn out components remains to be an objective yet to be realized.
[006] Attempts to resolve above problems find mention in the art. US4005016 outlines an apparatus for continuously withdrawing solids which form sediment in a liquid. Said solids are withdrawn from a liquid-filled processing chamber at the upper side of a funnel-shaped plate into a liquid-filled collecting chamber below the plate. In one embodiment, the funnel-shaped plate includes a central discharge nozzle that forms an annular discharge gap by extending downwardly within the side walls of a bell-shaped chamber that is inverted and

contains a mushroom-shaped distributor supported above its bottom wall by a liquid supply pipe. The top surface of the mushroom-shaped distributor has a conical shape with the apex extending upwardly to the terminal end of the discharge nozzle. However, the invention cited does not cater to the situation wherein fuel supply does not necessarily include a liquid phase / component and the agglomerating particles are of same phase. Deflection, though more applicable than selective routing of phases, is not achieved by construction of the invention outlined,
[007] US4174920 outlines a solid fuel distributor wherein a solid fuel distribution system is described that provides for uniform distribution of fuel throughout a furnace comprising a dual-reciprocating spout assembly that is adapted to provide a substantially constant supply of fuel to a plurality of supply chutes. The spout assembly comprises a pair of reciprocating spouts mounted on a horizontal axis and actuated to swing back and forth in opposed fashion so that each supply chute is fed with a relatively constant supply of fuel. However, this innovation relies overtly on moving components, which, due to complexity of design and operation, are more prone to wear, difficult to maintain and expensive to replace.
[008] Thus, methods and apparatuses reported hitherto have not been able to address problems of the art. Thus it is the pressing need to provide for apparatus and system for distribution of solids, which is easy to construct, maintain and replace while affording long term, high levels of precise operational efficiency. These objectives and problems of art have been the focus of research by the present inventors who have come up with novel solutions to address the same. The following description presents one way of performing the present invention.

[009] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[010] This invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing particulate solids into a reaction space in such a manner that a very uniform distribution of the particulate solids occurs in the combustion space.
[011] The apparatus of the present invention comprises a conduit for passage of pressurized air-stream containing solids onto deflection means juxtaposed in suitable orientation to achieve uniform dispersal of the input solids in the combustion chamber.
[012] According to one aspect of the present invention, the input conduit is characterized by one end fabricated in a manner to conform with an inverted bell shape such that mouth of the conduit at said end extrapolates outwards into a flat surface with its plane substantially perpendicular to vertical axis of the said conduit.
[013] According to another aspect of the present invention, a flat lamina is juxtaposed coplanar to extrapolated flat surface of input conduit. Said lamina, characterized in bearing deflection members of appropriate wear resistant material for deflection of incoming solids, enables path for output of dispersed solids via lumen between itself and the extrapolated flat surface of input conduit. Setting of distance and attachment of flat lamina with respect to near end of input conduit is provided by bolts positioned normally along the extrapolated flat surface of input conduit.
[014] In different embodiments of the present invention, cross section of said deflection member is chosen amongst cylindrical, oval, flat oval, rectangular, square or combination thereof. Being fabricated from metallic / non metallic wear resistant material such as alloy steel, ceramic and the like, the member suffers reduced wear during impingement by oncoming solid particle?, and thus enjoys longer service life and prolonged replacement requirements.

[015] Other advantages of the present invention shall make themselves evident to the reader, prominent among which are:
1) Achievement of optimum dispersal characteristics
2) Ease of construction, operation and maintenance
3) Ease of replacement of worn out parts due to non-unit construction and assembly requiring no permanent attachment of components
4) Adaptability across a range of solid sizes and fuel types
[016] The description as provided hereinabove is illustrative in nature and no way restrictive. Modifications and variations to this invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and such modifications and variations are intended to come within scope of the present invention.