With Gas Or Vapor Flow For Contact With Treated Material Patents (Class 34/168)
  • Patent number: 7846403
    Abstract: An apparatus is for directing a fluid into a radial reactor is and which maintains a bed of solid particulate material within a reactor. The apparatus comprises a duct for directing fluid into a reactor and has a screenless face for the egress of the fluid, while providing for the retention of solid particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Vetter, Paul A. Sechrist, Bryan K. Glover
  • Patent number: 7842259
    Abstract: An apparatus for contacting a bed of particulate material with a cross flowing fluid, which maintains the bed of particulate material within a retention volume. The apparatus includes partitions for retaining particles, with apertures disposed within the partitions. The apertures are covered by shrouds that extend above the edges of the apertures to prevent solid particles from spilling through inlet apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Bryan K. Glover
  • Publication number: 20100229421
    Abstract: A retrofit turner and sensor unit includes, on its upper portion, a grain turner for moving grain from a central portion in the grain pathway to a defined outer space for measurement. On its lower portion, the retrofit unit includes a moisture sensor and a temperature sensor provided in a plate configuration in line with the outer wall of the grain dryer for sensing moisture and temperature of grain in the defined space. In the preferred configuration, the plate sensor includes redundancies, and is mounted on a hinged door. The retrofit unit is easily installed into an existing grain dryer with columns and continuous flow capabilities, and electrically connected with a controller/processor and a motor for metering rolls which determine grain speed through the dryer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Noble M. Salisbury
  • Publication number: 20100217445
    Abstract: Granular material is dehumidified by: a) providing a number of dry air generators inside hoppers containing granular material; b) for each dry air generator, evaluating the dry air flow generable and/or higher energy efficiency functioning time; c) calculating the dry air flow rate for each single hopper depending on the characteristics of the granular material; and d) activating a number of generators sufficient to deliver a total dry air flow rate equal to the sum of the flow rates required by the hoppers. The number of the generators and the generators to be activated are chosen depending on the flow rate deliverable by each and/or by their respective ranges of functioning at higher energy efficiency according to an energy saving logic. The remaining generators are deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: MORETTO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Renato Moretto
  • Publication number: 20100107434
    Abstract: [Problem to Be Solved] The present invention realizes and provides a drying hopper which, with the construction of the hopper itself being simplified, allows the absorption capacity of the dry air to be effectively utilized for improving the drying efficiency and the drying time for the resin materials to be shortened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Toshio SHIMODA, Toshifumi FURUKAWA, Masami SHIMODA
  • Patent number: 7695696
    Abstract: An apparatus for contacting a bed of particulate material with a cross flowing fluid, which maintains the bed of particulate material within a retention volume. The apparatus includes partitions for retaining particles, with apertures disposed within the partitions. The apertures are covered by louvers that extend above the edges of the apertures to prevent solid particles from spilling through inlet apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Bryan K. Glover, Guy B. Woodle, Joseph E. Zimmermann, John J. Senetar
  • Patent number: 7622089
    Abstract: An apparatus for contacting a bed of particulate material with a cross flowing fluid, which maintains the bed of particulate material within a retention volume. The apparatus includes partitions for retaining particles, with apertures disposed within the partitions. The apertures are covered by shrouds that extend above the edges of the apertures to prevent solid particles from spilling through inlet apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Bryan K. Glover
  • Patent number: 7578073
    Abstract: This invention relates to an appliance (1) for the removal of fluids and/or solids from a mixture of particulate materials with a container (2) that constitutes a ring-shaped processing space (20) with a cylindrical outer contour with devices for the charging and discharging of the particulate material into and out of the processing space (20) and with a fan device (5) for supplying a fluidization agent from underneath into the processing space (20) as well as devices (6) for the processing of the fluidization agent in the flow direction in front of the fan device, whereby in the processing space (20), cells (15, 16, 17) are formed extending in the vertical direction where one cell constitutes a discharge cell (17) through which there is no fluidization agent flow from underneath where at the lower end of the discharge cell the discharge device is arranged and where another cell (15) is provided with a charge device and where the cells (15, 16, 17) are open at their upper ends in order to facilitate transport
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Lothar Krell, Gerald Caspers
  • Publication number: 20090151187
    Abstract: A gypsum dryer/calciner includes a calcining space; a first pipe having an inlet connected to a source of hot gases and an outlet emerging in the calcining space; a second pipe having an inlet connected to a source of gypsum and an outlet emerging in the calcining space, the second pipe being concentric with the first pipe; and a force-feeding screw positioned at least partially in the second pipe, the screw carrying the gypsum along in the calcining space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: LAFARGE PLATRES
    Inventor: Charles Falinower
  • Publication number: 20090038177
    Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for thermally de-coating and/or drying coated and/or contaminated materials. The apparatus comprises at least one support, an oven (10) mounted to each support and adapted for receiving material to be treated: each oven (10) being moveable between a first position in which a first portion (4) is generally higher than a second portion (6) and a second position in which the second portion (6) is generally higher than the first portion (4) and in use, the or each oven (10) is repeatedly moved between first and second positions to move material within the oven. The apparatus including at least one afterburner (22) for generating a stream of hot gasses and conduit means for directing the stream of hot gasses into a treatment zone of the oven and exhaust means for returning the gasses to the at least one afterburner whereby the or each oven does not include an integral afterburner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Ophneill Henry Perry, Rifat Alchalabi
  • Publication number: 20080301969
    Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for de-coating and/or drying coated and/or contaminated materials. The apparatus comprising a support: and an oven (10) mounted to the support for receiving material to be treated. The oven (10) maybe moved between a first position in which a first portion is higher than a second portion, and a second position in which the converse is true. In use, the oven can be repeatedly moved between the first and second positions so material falls from one portion to the other portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Ophneill Henry Perry, Rifat Alchalabi
  • Publication number: 20080209752
    Abstract: The invention concerns the optimization of the design, manufacture and insertion of air ventilation pipes equipping air ventilation tiles and their associated plugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: ACES ENVIRONNEMENT
    Inventor: Philippe J. Thurot
  • Publication number: 20080120867
    Abstract: An apparatus for thermally de-coating and/or drying coated and/or contaminated materials comprises a support and an oven pivotally mounted to the support. The oven has charging portion for receiving material to be treated and a changeover portion. Incorporated within the changeover portion is a heat treatment chamber through which a stream of hot gases can be passed. The oven is pivotally moveable between a first position in which the changeover portion is higher than the charging portion and a second position in which the charging portion is higher than the changeover portion. The arrangement is such that the oven can be repeatedly moved between the first and second positions so that material within the oven falls from one portion to the other portion, passing through the stream of hot gasses in the heat treatment chamber. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Ophneil Henry Perry, Rifat Alchalabi
  • Patent number: 7331119
    Abstract: An apparatus for thermally de-coating and/or drying coated and/or contaminated materials comprises a support and an oven pivotally mounted to the support. The oven has charging portion for receiving material to be treated and a changeover portion. Incorporated within the changeover portion is a heat treatment chamber through which a stream of hot gasses can be passed. The oven is pivotally moveable between a first position in which the changeover portion is higher than the charging portion and a second position in which the charging portion is higher than the changeover portion. The arrangement is such that the oven can be repeatedly moved between the first and second positions so that material within the oven falls from one portion to the other portion, passing through the stream of hot gasses in the heat treatment chamber. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventors: Ophneil Henry Perry, Rifat Alchalabi
  • Publication number: 20080026123
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for shelled almond pasteurization includes counter flowing raw shelled almonds in saturated steam for a four second interval to elevate the exterior surface of the shelled almond to a temperature exceeding 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Thereafter, the pasteurized almonds are counter flowed for a two second interval in dry air before discharge to further processing or to containers for shipment. Almond taste, texture, and appearance are unchanged during the pasteurization process. The apparatus includes a steam ladder (1) defining downward paths which alternately vary the major surfaces of the shelled almonds to exposure to upwardly counter flowing steam, and an underlying drying ladder (2) for drying the raw shelled almonds upon exit from the steam ladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: Hilltop Ranch, Inc.
    Inventors: David Long, Jack Wilkey
  • Patent number: 7168183
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating particulate material has an elongated, tunnel-like process chamber, along which the material to be treated can be moved from an inlet to an outlet. A bottom of said process chamber is designed in that two flows of introduced process air are oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction and impinge on each other along a breaking-up zone. Arranged in the bottom are air guide elements which can be adjusted by an adjustment device in that the process air can have superimposed on it a variable movement component in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Herbert Hüttlin
  • Patent number: 7123822
    Abstract: An air heater is provided with a connecting case for the power supply and the air to be heated, as well as a heating element attached to the connecting case by means of a carrier. In the connecting housing, the carrier is connected via a plug connection with the connection board for transmitting the heating current. For this purpose, a receptacle angle bracket is provided that can be inserted into the connecting housing and locked in place. The receptacle angle bracket has cylindrical sleeves serving as electrically insulating bushings for the contact pins on the carrier. In order to tap reference voltages for the control device, the contact pins of the plug connection can be connected with the contact tracks of the connection board of the control device by means of rubber-elastic conductive connecting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Leister Process Technologies
    Inventors: Lukas Gisler-Reinhard, Pius Studer, Leo Wallimann-Durrer
  • Patent number: 7089681
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering and drying a product. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a container having a plurality of porous walls and a plurality of solid walls that divide the container into a plurality of product chambers, a plurality of vacuum chambers, and, preferably, a plurality of heat transfer chambers. Each product chamber shares at least one porous wall with an adjacent vacuum chamber. Each product chamber preferably shares at least one solid wall with an adjacent heat transfer chamber. According to the method of the present invention, a product is introduced into the product chambers, where the product is held while a substance is filtered from the product through the porous walls and the product is dried by reducing the pressure in the vacuum chambers and the product chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Herbert, Douglas M. Bissonnette, Gregory C. Troiano
  • Patent number: 6938357
    Abstract: An improved centrifugal pellet dryer that employs forced air in the direction opposite that of the pellet travel through the dryer. The air may be preheated depending on the particular product. The resulting airstream reduces water spray and lowers the humidity level of the air in the dryer system. The airstream exits the dryer at or below the lower level of the rotor, thus providing increased exposure to the airflow. The result is enhanced drying effectiveness and increased dryer capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Carter Day International, Inc.
    Inventor: David Hauch
  • Patent number: 6895691
    Abstract: The present invention provides a seed dryer having an air kettle. The air kettle defines a seedbed. A plenum and diffuser direct air from an air supply to the bottom of the seedbed without the need for screens. The air from the air supply is provided with sufficient pressure that the seedbed is fluidized which decreases the need for mechanical agitation of the seeds. Dry seeds tend to accumulate on a surface of the seedbed. Removal of the accumulated seeds is facilitated by at least one perforation in and deflector cap that direct a portion of the air supply to a top surface of the seedbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Agra Air, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Laramore, John Clark
  • Patent number: 6829840
    Abstract: A two-deck apparatus, one deck above the other, is provided for enabling drying of approximately twice as much material with very little increase in heat used to dry the material, when compared to a single deck dryer. The fan usually provided with dryers of this type requires only a small incremental size increase over prior art. The second or upper deck, in operation, experiences a greater pressure below that deck than the pressure above the deck. Solid material flows into the top of the apparatus from above, and then from the upper deck to the lower deck through what is essentially a one-way valve, with air flow moving from below the lower deck through the upper deck, without impeding the material flow downwardly in the apparatus. The same apparatus, but with the use of cold air to cool the product, rather than hot air to heat and dry a product, is also within the teachings of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Kason Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence H. Stone
  • Patent number: 6766595
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for desolventizing particulate material having a solvent carried thereby wherein an upper indirect heating zone and a lower direct heating zone is provided. Each of the zones has a plurality of spaced apart horizontal trays for receiving particulate material. The trays define a vertical series of compartments through which the particulate material passes. Steam is provided to the particulate material indirectly in said indirect heating zone and directly in said direct heating zone are also included. An integral air tight flash chamber below the compartments enhances solvent recovery via vaporization of residual solvent from the condensed steam adhered to the particulate material traveling through the direct heating zone prior to discharge of the particulate material. The recovered residual solvent is delivered under pressure to a predetermined compartment in the direct heating zone provide heat for desolventizing the solvent-laden particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Crown Iron Works Company
    Inventor: George E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6745492
    Abstract: The process for manufacturing a preform from at least one thermoplastic resin in the form of granules (A) and in a substantially crystalline state, comprises following successive operations are carried out: drying the thermoplastic resin in the form of granules; melting the dried granules of resins; injecting the melted resin into a mould and removing the preform from the mould; The drying operation is carried out in at least two successive separate steps: in a first step (first hopper 5), the granules of resin substantially in a crystalline state are dried for a predetermined duration (t1) at a predetermined drying temperature (T1); in a second step (second hopper 5′), the drying of the granules from the first step is continued at a drying temperature (T2) that is markedly higher than the drying temperature (T1) of the first stage, and for a duration (t2) that is markedly shorter than the period (t1) of the first step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Schmalbach-Lubeca AG
    Inventor: Frank Haesendonckx
  • Patent number: 6716959
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating plastic material, especially polyethylene terephthalate, wherein the relatively low temperature material is initially crystallized by heating before subjecting said material to heating or condensation in the solid phase. The material is then exposed to a hot treatment gas for at least 10 minutes in at least two chambers (2) of an apparatus and crystallized at a temperature above 135° C., e.g. 140-180° C. The is subsequently heated in a preheating chamber (3) having at least one to eight stages at a temperature of at least 185° C., preferably at least 200° C. and more preferably around 220° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Buehler AG
    Inventors: Camille Borer, Martin Mueller, Filippo Terrasi, Hans Geissbuehler
  • Publication number: 20030121170
    Abstract: In a first aspect, a module is provided that is adapted to process a wafer. The module includes a processing portion having one or more features such as (1) a rotatable wafer support for rotating an input wafer from a first orientation wherein the wafer is in line with a load port to a second orientation wherein the wafer is in line with an unload port; (2) a catcher adapted to contact and travel passively with a wafer as it is unloaded from the processing portion; (3) an enclosed output portion adapted to create a laminar air flow from one side thereof to the other; (4) an output portion having a plurality of wafer receivers; (5) submerged fluid nozzles; and/or (6) drying gas flow deflectors, etc. Other aspects include methods of wafer processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Younes Achkire, Alexander Lerner, Boris T. Govzman, Boris Fishkin, Michael Sugarman, Rashid Mavliev, Haoquan Fang, Shijian Li, Guy Shirazi
  • Patent number: 6557266
    Abstract: A conditioning apparatus for conditioning a treated fluid includes a conditioning chamber for containing a flow of a treated fluid and an exchange element disposed within said conditioning chamber having one or more fluid passages formed therein filled with a saline solution. The exchange element has a semi-permeable membrane that allows fluid transfer between said treated fluid and said saline solution through said semi-permeable membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: John Griffin
  • Publication number: 20030070318
    Abstract: A bottom element for a device for treating particulate has a two-dimensional body having numerous apertures. Means for imposing to a treatment medium passing said bottom are provided. Said bottom being designed as blade-shaped body, said apertures being designed as slots, said slots being generated by a removal of material from said plate-shaped body. Said slots having side walls sloping towards a plane of said body. For facilitating a cleaning of said bottom said side walls of said slots further consecutively tapers to a direction of a side of said bottom a particulate material rests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas Werner, Martin Gross
  • Patent number: 6519870
    Abstract: A method for heating bulk materials, especially granular plastic material, in which the bulk material is fed to a vessel and exits the vessel based on the consumption. A heat-transfer gas flow is simultaneously fed to the vessel and conducted either cocurrently with or countercurrently to the flow of granular material. The gas inlet temperature or quantity of gas are thereby varied in such a way that the temperature of the granular material at the outlet corresponds to a target temperature value required for the granular material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mann & Hummell ProTec GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Becker, Michael Zlotos
  • Patent number: 6505416
    Abstract: A centrifugal pellet dryer apparatus, lifter and rotor wherein the lifters can have a surface configured to deflect pellets inwardly and the rotor can have lifters attached in an arrangement designed to increase pellet impacts with lifters by providing a higher concentration of lifters on the rotor in a first region which initially engages a slurry of pellets and water. The inwardly curved lifters tend to direct the pellets inwards toward other lifters and away from dewatering screens and the higher concentration of lifters on the lower region of the rotor results in added pellet impacts with lifters. The centrifugal pellet dryer can have an outer housing, a base portion with a water discharge outlet and a top portion having a pellet discharge port and an exhaust port. Within the housing can be one or more generally cylindrical foraminous members disposed around the rotor. One or more separator plates can be provided between the foraminous members to divide the pellet dryer into sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: The Conair Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Lyell Sandford
  • Patent number: 6467188
    Abstract: A centrifugal pellet dryer apparatus, lifter and rotor wherein the lifters can have a surface configured to deflect pellets inwardly and the rotor can have lifters attached in an arrangement designed to increase pellet impacts with lifters by providing a higher concentration of lifters on the rotor in a first region which initially engages a slurry of pellets and water. The inwardly curved lifters tend to direct the pellets inwards toward other lifters and away from dewatering screens and the higher concentration of lifters on the lower region of the rotor results in added pellet impacts with lifters. The centrifugal pellet dryer can have an outer housing, a base portion with a water discharge outlet and a top portion having a pellet discharge port and an exhaust port. Within the housing can be one or more generally cylindrical foraminous members disposed around the rotor. One or more separator plates can be provided between the foraminous members to divide the pellet dryer into sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: The Conair Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Lyell Sandford
  • Patent number: 6457255
    Abstract: Conditioning apparatus for handling particulate material comprises a central frame and a plurality of spaced, annular troughs mounted to the central frame to support the particulate material. The troughs are arranged in a stacked configuration having successive pairs of upper and lower troughs with an uppermost trough for receiving the particulate material and a lowermost trough for discharging particulate material. Hydraulic cylinders or other suitable means are used to impart vibratory movement to the plurality of troughs to fluidize and advance the particulate material in a first direction on each of the plurality of troughs. A passage is formed through each trough for particulate material to fall from the upper trough of a pair to the lower trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Allan M. Carlyle
  • Patent number: 6438864
    Abstract: A centrifugal pellet dryer apparatus, lifter and rotor wherein the lifters can have a surface configured to deflect pellets inwardly and the rotor can have lifters attached in an arrangement designed to increase pellet impacts with lifters by providing a higher concentration of lifters on the rotor in a first region which initially engages a slurry of pellets and water. The inwardly curved lifters tend to direct the pellets inwards toward other lifters and away from dewatering screens and the higher concentration of lifters on the lower region of the rotor results in added pellet impacts with lifters. The centrifugal pellet dryer can have an outer housing, a base portion with a water discharge outlet and a top portion having a pellet discharge port and an exhaust port. Within the housing can be one or more generally cylindrical foraminous members disposed around the rotor. One or more separator plates can be provided between the foraminous members to divide the pellet dryer into sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: The Conair Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Lyell Sandford
  • Patent number: 6438863
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying particulate materials in superheated steam in a closed container has a cyclone for separating dust from the steam, the cyclone located in an upper part thereof. The cyclone has openings for receiving at least part of the dust laden steam located in an upper part thereof so that large, moist particles are separated and led back to the processing cells before the steam enters the cyclone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: ASJ Holding ApS
    Inventor: Arne Sloth Jensen
  • Patent number: 6438862
    Abstract: The invention is a distributed airways airflow dryer system for coffee beans and other such bulk crops. The interior volume or container of the dryer or dehydrator system that holds the bulk crops, is filled with an airways network structure that provides uniformly distributed open wall airflow passageways in the bulk crops. The airflow passages communicate with airflow openings in the walls or bottom of the container, to divide and admit the drying airflow into and through the full volume of the bulk crops as a large number of individual airstreams. Corrugated, ribbed, or cross-ribbed airflow plates are preferred embodiments that provide narrow open grooves or channels that expose the beans or kernels of the bulk crop directly to the airflow. This results in faster drying and greater uniformity of the drying effect on the full volume of the bulk crops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Paul B Soucy
  • Patent number: 6412428
    Abstract: A system for drying sludge includes a shaftless spiral feed screw for moving sludge through a drying chamber. An high energy inductor is located at a output of the drying chamber for drawing hot gases through the chamber to dry the sludge as it advances from the input end to the output end of the chamber. The high energy inductor also aspirates the dried sludge from the chamber. The drying system can be used in conjunction with a waste-to-energy furnace for incineration of sludge and municipal waste. In such an arrangement, the dried sludge can be aspirated from the drying chamber directly into a combustion zone of the furnace. Hot gases from the furnace can be used in drying the sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Vincent Promuto
  • Patent number: 6397490
    Abstract: A flash drying apparatus has a vertical, cylindrical enclosure. In a lower portion of this enclosure is disposed a rotating disk. Above this disk is provided a crusher that, using blades formed radially thereon, crushes a raw material into a powdery or granular material. The crusher is provided with a material feeder that feeds the raw material to the crusher by letting the raw material fall onto the crusher. A hot wind feeder feeds a hot wind to the powdery or granular material from under the blades. The powdery or granular material blown upward inside the enclosure by the hot wind is exhausted through an exhaust duct provided in an upper portion of the enclosure. This flash drying apparatus prevents degradation in performance resulting from deposition of a raw material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Hosokawa Micron Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Inoki, Munehiro Kadowaki
  • Publication number: 20020062576
    Abstract: A centrifugal pellet dryer apparatus, lifter and rotor wherein the lifters can have a surface configured to deflect pellets inwardly and the rotor can have lifters attached in an arrangement designed to increase pellet impacts with lifters by providing a higher concentration of lifters on the rotor in a first region which initially engages a slurry of pellets and water. The inwardly curved lifters tend to direct the pellets inwards toward other lifters and away from dewatering screens and the higher concentration of lifters on the lower region of the rotor results in added pellet impacts with lifters. The centrifugal pellet dryer can have an outer housing, a base portion with a water discharge outlet and a top portion having a pellet discharge port and an exhaust port. Within the housing can be one or more generally cylindrical foraminous members disposed around the rotor. One or more separator plates can be provided between the foraminous members to divide the pellet dryer into sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventor: Lyell Sandford
  • Publication number: 20020062575
    Abstract: A centrifugal pellet dryer apparatus, lifter and rotor wherein the lifters can have a surface configured to deflect pellets inwardly and the rotor can have lifters attached in an arrangement designed to increase pellet impacts with lifters by providing a higher concentration of lifters on the rotor in a first region which initially engages a slurry of pellets and water. The inwardly curved lifters tend to direct the pellets inwards toward other lifters and away from dewatering screens and the higher concentration of lifters on the lower region of the rotor results in added pellet impacts with lifters. The centrifugal pellet dryer can have an outer housing, a base portion with a water discharge outlet and a top portion having a pellet discharge port and an exhaust port. Within the housing can be one or more generally cylindrical foraminous members disposed around the rotor. One or more separator plates can be provided between the foraminous members to divide the pellet dryer into sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventor: Lyell Sandford
  • Patent number: 6393721
    Abstract: A device which is employed in drying of particulate, granular or powdered material, substantially fish-related material. The device has a drying chamber designed substantially as a vertical standing container. The drying chamber may be circular cylindrical and has a conically shaped tapering shape over its entire or parts of its height. The conically tapering shape may be directed towards the drying chamber's upper or lower portion. The material may be inserted in the bottom area or in the top of the standing container (1), through an inlet (5). In the drying chamber's bottom area there is placed a movement device (3) which sets the material in the drying chamber in rotary motion, thereby flinging the material towards the drying chamber's vertical wall, which is heated by means of a heating jacket (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Articare AS
    Inventor: Trond Sunde
  • Patent number: 6374510
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drier-heat-exchanger for heat treating PET granulate and similar products. The drier has a channel which is delimited by air permeable sheets. This ensures that the product can pass through efficiently and evenly which in turn means that a higher gas speed can be used without the product being stirred up and therefore shorter heating times are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Buhler AG
    Inventors: Hans Geissbuehler, Filippo Terrasi
  • Patent number: 6367165
    Abstract: A device for treating particulate product has a process chamber for receiving and treating the product. A bottom of the process chamber is constructed from substantially plane baffle plates overlapping each other with slots formed between said overlapping plates. Process air can be introduced into the process chamber via said slots between said plates with a substantially horizontal component of motion. Said baffle plates and the resulting slots are arranged in such a way that two opposite flows of incoming process air are produced. Said two opposite flows are directed along a substantially horizontal path and meet along a breaking-up zone and are then deflected to form an upwardly directed, substantially vertical flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Herbert Hüttlin
  • Patent number: 6360451
    Abstract: The grain dryer of the present invention has upper and lower heat plenums, with first and second grain conduits, with each conduit having an upper section and a lower section, and a central crossover section between the upper and lower sections. The upper section of each conduit is on one side of the upper heat plenum, while the lower section of each conduit is on the opposite side of the lower heat plenum. The crossover sections of each conduit extend the respective conduits from one side of the upper heat plenum to the opposite side of the lower heat plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Sukup Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: John A. Hanig
  • Publication number: 20020032971
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling grain flow within a column of a grain dryer is disclosed. The grain dryer includes a metering roll positioned to contact grain advancing out of a discharge opening of the column. The grain dryer further includes a regulator member which is movable between a flow regulating position and a trash escape position. The regulator member contacts either the metering roll, or grain supported by the metering roll when the regulator member is positioned in the flow regulating position. The regulator member is spaced from the metering roll by a distance sufficient to enable a trash object to advance between the regulator member and the metering roll when the regulator is positioned in the trash escape position. A method of controlling grain flow within a column of a grain dryer is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Phillip C. Middaugh, L. Michael Watson
  • Patent number: 6354018
    Abstract: A heat and/or mass transfer process and apparatus for treating various types of materials. A heat and/or mass transfer process includes causing a gas to impinge upon a flowing material, wherein the gas velocity having a component tangential to the flow direction of the material can be characterized such that a fluctuating velocity is superimposed upon the mean velocity of the material in the flow direction. The process further includes effecting velocity fluctuations by means of a traveling tangential acoustic wave while a steady overall gas flow is maintained, and controlling the gas velocity by means of a vernier valve. By using fluctuating velocity superimposed upon the mean velocity, an effective thermal and mass transfer resistance of the boundary layer can be reduced, as well as reducing the pressure fluctuations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: University Of Sheffield
    Inventor: Joshua Swithenbank
  • Patent number: 6350409
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat treatment process for disinfection of seeds from pathogens and other undesirable fungi and bacteria, the process being characterized by supply to the seeds non water-borne heat while regulating the treatment time and temperature with regard to the condition and moisture content of the seeds in such a way that the seeds are heated from outside and in, while evaporation of moisture from the surface of the seed, and owing to that, cooling of the same is prevented and no changes in the moisture content occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Svenska Lantmännen, riksförbund ek. för.
    Inventors: Kenneth Alness, Sven Andersson, Sven Bergman
  • Publication number: 20020007566
    Abstract: A drying device for drying bulk material has one or more storage containers for the bulk material and a heating device for heating the drying air for drying the bulk material. A drying air conduit is connected to the heating device and the storage containers and guides the drying air to the storage containers. One or more first mixing valves are arranged in the drying air conduit upstream of the storage containers, wherein the first mixing valves are used to adjust the temperature of the drying air before the drying air enters the storage containers. The heating device has also the function of regenerating the drying units provided for removing the moisture from the drying air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Applicant: Motan Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Holler, Holger Kuhnau, Frank Fischer, Carl Litherland
  • Patent number: 6321461
    Abstract: A drying apparatus has a hopper (1) for receiving an object to be dried, and an air supply unit (2) for supplying a high pressure air to the hopper (1). The air supply unit (2) includes a compressor (8), a dehumidifier (9), a heater (10), an air supply passage (11) which connects the compressor, the dehumidifier and the heater in series, and is connected to a supply port (3) of the hopper so as to supply a high pressure air to the hopper (1), and an ejector (12) arranged on the midway of the air supply passage. An injection port of the ejector is connected with an upstream side of the air supply passage, a discharge port of the ejector being connected with a downstream side of the air supply passage, an intake port of the ejector being connected to an exhaust port (4) of the dry apparatus main body via a return passage (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Minoru Ogasahara
  • Patent number: 6318000
    Abstract: The circulating type grain drying machine is provided in which, at the grain filling operation, a controller causes a first heated air generator to operate and a second heated air generator to stop operating, and also causes, according to the detected values of the outside air humidity from an outside air humidity detector, an airflow control section to operate so as to change the quantity of the airflow by an air exhaust section. Also, at the drying operation, the controller controls the first heated air generator and controls the temperature of the heated air supplied into each heating pipe according to the detected values of the grain water content value, and controls the second heated air generator and controls the temperature of the temperature of the heated air supplied into the drying section according to the detected values of the grain water content values and the grain filling amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Satake Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Satake, Hideaki Matsushima, Toshinori Matsumoto, Hidenori Mizuno
  • Patent number: 6279250
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for desolventizing particulate material having a solvent carried thereby wherein an upper indirect heating zone and a lower direct heating zone is provided. Each of the zones has a plurality of spaced apart horizontal trays for receiving particulate material. The trays define a vertical series of compartments through which the particulate material passes. Steam is provided to the particulate material indirectly in said indirect heating zone and directly in said direct heating zone are also included. An integral air tight flash chamber below the compartments enhances solvent recovery via vaporization of residual solvent from the condensed steam adhered to the particulate material traveling through the direct heating zone prior to discharge of the particulate material. The recovered residual solvent is delivered under pressure to a predetermined compartment in the direct heating zone provide heat for desolventizing the solvent-laden particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Crown Iron Works Company
    Inventor: George E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6253465
    Abstract: A multi-chamber fluidized bed classifying apparatus comprising; a main chamber having a fluidized bed arranged on wind boxes, through a perforated gas distributing plate is divided into a drying chamber and a classifying chamber by a partition plate, and a communication passage is defined under the plate. The wind boxes have respective lower ends connected to discharge devices respectively. The wind box is connected to a processing fluidization gas supply system for supplying the fluidization gas into the box, while the wind box is connected to a classifying fluidization gas supply system for supplying the fluidization gas into the box. The classifying fluidization gas supply system is provided with a flow control unit which adjusts the quantity of gas supplied into the classifying chamber to control the size of classified particles. The processing fluidization gas supply system is provided with a control unit, which adjusts the gas quantity and/or the temperature of gas supplied into the drying chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noboru Ichitani, Isao Hayashi, Mikio Murao