System, method and apparatus for controlling the flow distribution of solid particles

1. A turret for a pulverizer, comprising:

a frusto-conical shaped body; and

a plurality of static straightening vanes arranged interior to the body, the vanes dividing the body into a plurality of sections;

wherein:

the vanes are configured to straighten a swirling flow of solid particles as they enter the body, and to divide the swirling flow into a plurality of straightened flows that are communicated to a plurality of coal outlet pipes;

a feed pipe extends through the body, the feed pipe and the body being concentric; and

each of the straightening vanes extends radially from the feed pipe to an inner peripheral wall of the body.

2. The turret of claim 1 , wherein:

the number of straightening vanes is equal to the number of coal outlet pipes in the pulverizer.

3. The turret of claim 2 , wherein:

each of the straightening vanes is selectively extendable and retractable in a vertical direction for adjusting a height of each of the vanes.

4. The turret of claim 3 , wherein:

the height of each straightening vane is designed to be individually adjusted.

5. The turret of claim 4 , wherein:

each of the straightening vanes includes four segments;

wherein in an extended position the height of a respective vane is equal to a combined height of the four segments; and

wherein in a retracted position the height of a respective vane is equal to a height of a single segment.

6. The turret of claim 2 , wherein:

the plurality of straightening vanes is seven straightening vanes.

7. The turret of claim 1 , wherein:

the solid particles are pulverized coal particles.