Loss-in-Weight, Belt, and Auger Metering Feeder
Purpose
Deliver a measured mineral feed relative to water flow so each research batch or continuous run can be reconstructed.
Operating concept
A weigh hopper, belt scale, or calibrated screw feeder controls solids mass flow; feedback adjusts speed within a bounded test range while independent shutdown prevents uncontrolled feed.
Key assemblies
buffer hopper; load cells or belt scale; variable-speed feeder; agitator/bridge breaker; isolation gate; calibration catch pan; controller; manual safe-state
Operating sequence
load documented batch → zero/calibrate → command bounded feed → measure actual loss or belt flow → compare with water flow → divert calibration sample → stop and isolate
Instrumentation
water flow; mineral feed rate; ratio proxy; mixed-stream pressure
Safeguards
preserve water-only bypass; prevent dry running; provide sample, drain, and clean-water purge points
Failure modes and mitigations
feed drift; bridging; overfeed; load-cell vibration error; uncontrolled restart
Variants
loss-in-weight screw; weigh belt; volumetric screw for preliminary trials; rotary valve; micro-feeder
Validation gates
water-only baseline; ratio repeatability; settling/bridging trial; complete purge demonstration
Claim boundary
CLAIM BOUNDARY: No certified design, validated recipe, performance guarantee, regulatory approval, or authorization for uncontrolled-fire use is represented.
Unverified concept for qualified research. Not certified equipment, not a validated formula, not fabrication instructions, and not authorization for active-fire use. Individual conventional components are not claimed as separately invented.
Reproduced from the Comprehensive Apparatus Concept Atlas v1.0 (SSR-TDS-APPARATUS-ATLAS-2026-08-18). Download the full atlas (PDF).