Pressure letdown method and device for coal conversion systems

In combination with a reactor for a coal utilization system, a pressure letdown device accepts from a reactor, a polyphase fluid at an entrance pressure and an entrance velocity, and discharges the fluid from the device at a discharge pressure substantially lower than the entrance pressure and at a discharge temperature and a discharge velocity substantially equal to the entrance temperature and entrance velocity. The device is characterized by a series of pressure letdown stages including several symmetrical baffles, disposed in coaxially nested alignment. In each baffle several ports or apertures of uniform dimensions are defined. The number of ports or apertures for each baffle plate is unique with respect to the number of ports or apertures defined in each of the other baffles. The mass rate of flow for each port is a function of the area of the port, the pressure of the fluid as applied to the port, and a common pressure ratio established across the ports.