A piston member (1,1',1'') comprising a piston rod (4) provided with a piston (3,3',3'') serves for reciprocating inside a cylinder barrel (5,6,7,5',6',7',5'',6'',7''), said piston (3,3',3'') divides the cylinder barrel chamber (34a,34a',34a'',34b,34b',34b'') into a proximal cylinder barrel chamber (34a,34a',34a'') having a proximal capped end (35a,35a',35a'') opposite the piston (3,3',3'') and a distal cylinder barrel chamber (34b,34b',34b'') having a distal cylinder barrel end (35b,35b',35b'') opposite the piston (3,3',3''). The piston member comprises at least one sealing ring (8,8',8'') or seat arranged inside the distal cylinder barrel chamber (34b,34b',34b'') at the distal cylinder barrel end (35b,35b',45''). Preferably three consecutive piston members (1,1',1'') are arranged to operate in a series in an apparatus for transporting coal powder to a gasifier. The movement of the pistons inside the cylinder barrels is controlled in relation to each other to transport apportioned batches of coal powder to a high pressure reactor.