A system is provided with a segmented solid feed pump having a plurality of pump segments coupled together in series along a path. Each pump segment of the plurality of pump segments has opposite side walls disposed about a holding receptacle. The segmented solid feed pump also includes a first transport section disposed along a first portion of the path, wherein the first transport section includes a first inlet duct, a first outlet duct, and first opposite guides extending between the first inlet duct and the first outlet duct.