Abstract: A shaft furnace for heat treatment of finely dispersed material has a casing of rectangular cross section with a hopper built into a cover thereof. The top of the casing accommodates pipes for drawing off resultant gases. The casing also houses two groups of plates equidistant from the vertical axis of the casing and having different lengths increasing in the direction from the vertical axis toward a narrow wall of the casing so as to form therebetween and the narrow wall of the casing passages for the flow of gases toward the pipes for exhausting resultant gases.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a modular drier.Each module comprises two fans each supplying a common diffusion chamber (14) disposed between two columns of a group of columns (12, 13). Said chambers (14) adjoin a perforated wall of said columns comprising vertical deflectors, with the opposite wall of these columns, likewise perforated, communicating with a common chamber (15) for exhausting the air used for drying.The invention relates to a modular drier for drying grains, in which gravity draws the grain down in parallel sheets within vertical columns crossed horizontally by the drying air.

Abstract: Bulk rice or other cereal grain is rapidly and economically dried with reduced or negligible breakage of individual kernels by alternately subjecting the grain to primary drying airflows during drying periods and less desiccating drying airflows during tempering periods. The airflows during the tempering period are sufficient to prevent the accumulation of free moisture at the set point or hardened starch of the kernels, which moisture accumulation has been found to be a cause of fissuring, while allowing reduction of the moisture gradients built up within the kernels by the preceding drying period. In one form of the invention, the grain is continuously traveled downward within a drying tower in which relatively fast and/or hot primary drying airflows are directed into the grain at vertically spaced apart drying regions and in which relatively slow and/or cooler drying airflows are directed into the grain at tempering locations situated between the primary drying regions.

Abstract: A grain drier system is disclosed which includes means for collecting heated air which has passed through grain and conducting it to the inlet of the burners which supply the heated gas to dry the grain. The collected air is introduced into the inlet of the burner at the periphery of the air stream to the burner in an area where the contact between the collected air and the flame of the burner is minimized. This procedure enables the heat of the collected air to be utilized without the likelihood of subjecting any entrained material to the action of the flame of the burner.In order to further minimize the possibility of fire, prior to being conducted to the burner, the collected air is passed into a plenum where the velocity of the stream of collected air is decreased and its direction of movement changed so that a substantial portion of entrained dust and organic material is caused to fall out of the air stream.

Abstract: A vertical media bed dust collector in which the media bed of a filter panel is rejuvenated when necessary by interrupting the gas flow through the panel, withdrawing the filter media from the panel, separating the agglomerated dust from the filter media, returning the filter media to the filter panel, and reestablishing the gas flow through the panel. The system further includes apparatus for removing collected dust from the separating and recirculating surfaces of the media handling apparatus and also from the remote face of the filter panels before the cleaned gas is allowed to pass out of the collector so that the cleaned gas is not recontaminated by small amounts of dust adhering to those surfaces.

Abstract: In a continuous flow vertical grain dryer, heated air is supplied into a closed top plenum through means of a stack opening upwardly therein, and fresh air is supplied to the stack from as nearly as practicable fines-free ambient atmosphere by receiving the fresh air from a relatively fines-free ambient atmosphere zone, e.g., above the discharge from the vertical pervious wall of the dryer of spent grain-drying air. Efficient heat transfer and preheating of the fresh air by association of a fresh air duct with the stack is provided for.

Abstract: A travelling bed drier is disclosed, for operation of a carbonization or coking plant in which pre-heating of coal is performed. Adapted so that a fluidized bed drier can be superposed thereon, the travelling. bed drier possesses a heat exchange tube within a frame, the tube displaying a surface increased through suitable design such as fins or ribs, a conical tapering in the direction of the coal feed, and discharge connections located at different levels on a side of the frame lying opposite vapor or hot gas entry, the connections being for the discharge of exhaust gas-containing vapors.

Abstract: A modular column dryer for particulate material including a housing with a removable module supported in the housing. The removable module includes at least one support member and a first pair of generally vertical side panels having perforations therein. The side panels are fixed to the support member to form at least a part of a first column for receiving particulate material and directing the material through the housing. Means is provided for introducing moist particulate material into a top portion of the column. Drying air is passed through the column for drying particulate material therein. A discharge mechanism is provided to remove the dried particulate material from a bottom portion of the column.

Abstract: A gravity-flow grain dryer for particulate material comprises a generally vertical drying column having first and second opposed spaced perforate walls, the column being adapted to receive particulate material and direct the material through the dryer. An input is provided for introducing moist particulate material into a top portion of the column and a discharge mechanism is provided for removing dried particulate material from a bottom portion of the column. A blower and heater are also provided for passing drying air into the column through the first perforate wall and out through the second perforate wall, the air drying the material within the column. A dividing wall extends between the perforate walls for dividing at least a portion of the column into at least two channels, of the channels containing a discharging mechanism for removing particulate material from the channel.

Abstract: A grain drier system is disclosed which includes means for collecting heated air which has passed through grain and conducting it to the inlet of the burners which supply the heated gas to dry the grain. The collected air is introduced into the inlet of the burner at the periphery of the air stream to the burner in an area where the contact between the collected air and the flame of the burner is minimized. This procedure enables the heat of the collected air to be utilized without the likelihood of subjecting any entrained material to the action of the flame of the burner.In order to further minimize the possibility of fire, prior to being conducted to the burner, the collected air is passed into a plenum where the velocity of the stream of collected air is decreased and its direction of movement changed so that a substantial portion of entrained dust and organic material is caused to fall out of the air stream.

Abstract: A method for using comminuted lignocellulosic waste material such as flake-like wood and bark chips which have been stored outside includes placing the material in a filter bed by movement in a first direction, and thereafter passing polluted effluent gas from a boiler furnace, for example through said filter bed in a direction generally perpendicular to said first direction to filter pollutants from said effluent gas and simultaneously dry the comminuted lignocellulosic waste material. During drying of the material a portion of the material on the gas outlet side of the filter bed, toward which the effluent gas proceeds, is maintained at a moisture content which is greater than the average moisture content of the lignocellulosic material at the time it is placed into the filter bed. The lignocellulosic waste material is thereafter used as furnace fuel or as a furnace for an industrial process.

Abstract: A cross flow grain drying and conditioning apparatus having an improved grain column configuration wherein the thickness is narrower at the top and bottom thereof than at an intermediate portion thereof for optimumly confining the grain to be dried. A single blower operates to force heated drying air through a first zone of the column of grain and to pull cooling air through a second zone or alternatively to push heated air through both the first and second zones by opening or closing a plenum divider which can be closed to define the zones or opened to combine the zones.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for generating heated air, for example, for use in connection with a dryer for particulate material, comprising a base portion having a combustion chamber and a burner for providing a flow of combustion gas. A plurality of open tubes having the first ends communicating with the combustion chamber are provided for receiving the flow of combustion gas. The second ends of the tube extend beyond the base portion. A tubular structure is connected to the base portion surrounding the second ends of the tubes. The tubular structure has partition means for dividing it into a heat exchange chamber adjacent the base portion and surrounding the tubes and a manifold chamber remote from the base portion. The partition cooperates with the tubes to direct the flow of combustion gas into the manifold chamber.

Abstract: A gravity-flow grain dryer for particulate material comprises first and second generally vertical drying columns spaced apart to provide a plenum chamber therebetween, the drying columns each having opposed spaced perforate walls. First and second inputs are provided for introducing particulate material into top portions of the first and second drying columns, respectively. First and second discharge mechanisms are also provided for removing particulate material from bottom portions of the first and second drying columns, respectively. Conveyor means are provided for receiving the particulate material discharged from the first drying column and for conveying the particulate material to the second input. A flow of drying air is directed to the plenum chamber, whereby the drying air passes into the first and second drying columns to dry the particulate material, the drying air being subsequently discharged from the drying column.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for heat exchange between downwardly flowing solid particulate material and a gas comprises a substantially conical casing having arranged at the bottom thereof a tubular outlet for material having undergone heat exchange. A tube extends downwardly into the casing substantially symmetrically about the vertical axis thereof and forms an outer defining wall of an annular inlet through which material to be treated is charged to the interior of the casing. Extending through the tube co-axially therewith is a gas inlet having a gas inlet pipe which extends down into the casing and which forms an inner defining wall of the annular material inlet. The gas inlet pipe has a discharge orifice located at a given distance beneath the discharge orifice of the material inlet, and a collecting chamber for gas having undergone heat exchange and arranged at the top of the casing is laterally defined by the wall of the tube and the wall of the casing, and is provided with a gas outlet.

Abstract: Structure is provided defining a flow path for granular materials to be dried and laterally through which drying air may be passed. The flow path includes inlet and outlet end portions and supply means is provided for supplying granular material to the inlet end portion and discharge means is provided for discharging granular material from the outlet end portion. Air passage structure is provided including means for passing heated drying air laterally through the inlet end portion of the flow path and cooled drying air laterally through the outlet end portion of the flow path. The air passage structure includes a substantially closed loop circuit and pump structure for pumping air through the circuit.

Abstract: In the field of grain ventilation, grain bins are constructed to allow air circulation from a plenum chamber through the grain floor and the grain to an exhaust. The invention relates to a panel for improving grain bin design so as to more effectively practice grain ventilation.An aspirating panel is formed to include a cylindrically shaped rib along both its longer sides. In constructing a grain bin floor, sidewall, or roof, panels are fastened together such that a slit remains between the ribs of adjacent panels. The slit allows air freely to pass through. In the case of a sidewall or roof, the panel design allows the wind to aspirate air from inside the grain bin by creating low pressure regions near the slits which enhance air exhaustion.

Abstract: A continuous grain drying and conditioning apparatus of a type including a burner and blower, or a multiplicity of burners and blowers, surrounded by a plenum chamber, air pervious grain holding walls positioned outwardly with respect to the plenum chamber is characterized by having a plenum divider which is selectively adjustable in position to divide the grain holding walls into a heating section and a cooling section. A multiplicity of grain turning apparatus of full and partial width of the grain column is disposed in the grain column for separating the grain mass into two or more separate divisions and then turning the cooler-wetter grain inwardly as it moves downwardly and turning the hotter-dryer grain outwardly as it moves downwardly in the grain column. Grain is constantly removed from the bottom of the apparatus at a rate governed by the average temperature of the air exiting the grain at a point adjacent the position of the plenum divider and a point closer to the input of the grain.

Abstract: Finely-divided grain products in general and grain dust in particular are useful fuels which are advantageously employed in the drying of harvested grain to a moisture content suitable for storage and/or further processing. A grain dryer designed for such fuels provides for preheating and predrying fuel prior to feeding it to a burner.

Abstract: A grain drying and conditioning apparatus having a housing with an outer pervious skin with impervious end walls, air inlet, grain inlet, grain outlet and air exhaust duct structures connected thereto has air pervious walls which are spaced within the structure for confining a column of grain to be dried. A blower and heater mechanism is also connected to the housing for causing heated air to be forced through a first zone of the column of grain in one direction to heat and extract moisture therefrom and simultaneously causing air for cooling the grain to be pulled through a second zone of the grain column in an opposite direction, or, by simple adjustments, to be pushed in the same direction as the flow of the heated air.

Abstract: A recycle control is provided for grain dryers of the type which have a drying column area with heating and cooling zones and a recirculating air blower. During a recirculating mode of the grain dryer, the recirculating blower draws in a mixture of cooling air and heating air from the cooling and heating zones respectively and forces the mixture after additional heating back into the heating zone. The recycle control includes an inlet duct and adjustable louver arrangement which during partial recirculating mode selctively flows outside air into the mixture of cooling air and heating air at an intake portion of the recirculating blower to regulate the extent of dryer recirculation, and control grain drying. During a non-recirculating mode the recirculating blower draws in only outside air.

Abstract: An apparatus for the dry cooling of coke is disclosed including a vertical cooling chamber having an open bottom, a gas distribution manifold disposed in the bottom of the cooling chamber and a pair of discharge openings for the continuous withdrawal of the cooled coke from the bottom of the chamber. The cooling gas manifold includes upwardly sloping walls which intersect at an apex located generally centrally of the bottom of the cooling chamber. Gas discharge openings extend through these walls and are so disposed as to make cooling gas available across the entire cross-section of the cooling chamber. Individual, closed gas chambers communicate with groups of the gas discharge openings and the flow of gas to each chamber is individually regulated.

Abstract: A dryer for particulate material, especially wood chips, to render them suitable for burning comprising an enclosure, spaced baffle plates in the enclosure dividing the enclosure from bottom to top into three chambers; an intermediate drying chamber for holding a column of particulate material for drying and two air chambers, one on each side of the drying chamber. The baffles contain openings, the air chamber at one side contains a bottom opening through which drying air is supplied to the enclosure and the air chamber at the other side contains an opening at the top through which moist air is discharged from the enclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating or cooling sand comprising a heat exchange section provided in a lower portion thereof with flow regulating means consisting of a pyramidal or conical funnel assembly for causing flow of sand in the heat exchange section over the entire sectional area thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting fluid-solids contacting wherein a bed stationary downward moving ferromagnetic particles are contacted within a contacting chamber with a fluid which passes through the bed in a cross-flow manner, said bed being structured or stabilized, by a magnetic field the improvement which comprises providing at least one support means positioned near or adjacent to the opening means, said support means extending into the contacting chamber. Also disclosed are processes for using the improved magnetically stabilized cross-flow contactor including processes for removing particulates from gaseous streams, flue gas desulfurization processes and the like.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting fluid-solids contacting wherein a bed of stationary or downward moving ferromagnetic particles are contacted with a fluid which passes through the bed in a cross-flow manner, said bed being structured or stabilized, by a magnetic field. Also disclosed are processes for using the magnetically stabilized cross-flow contactor including processes for removing particulates from gaseous streams, flue gas desulfurization processes and the like.

Abstract: An inlet duct is provided for recirculating grain dryers of the type which have a drying column area, and a recirculating blower mounted in a room portion of the dryer, with an open side of the room communicating with the drying column area. The inlet duct is connected with an intake portion of the recirculating blower, and has an open end thereof disposed adjacent to the open side of the room, whereby during a full recirculating condition of the grain dryer, air is drawn into the recirculating blower substantially wholly from the drying column area. The inlet duct has an aerodynamically streamlined interior shape with walls which taper inwardly toward the blower intake portion for efficiently guiding the flow of air from the drying column area directly into the recirculating blower intake.

Abstract: A continuous grain drying and conditioning apparatus of a type including a burner and blower, or a multiplicity of burners and blowers, surrounded by a plenum chamber, air pervious grain holding walls positioned outwardly with respect to the plenum chamber is characterized by having a plenum divider which is selectively adjustable in position to divide the grain holding walls into a heating section and a cooling section. A multiplicity of grain turning apparatus of full and partial width of the grain column is disposed in the grain column for separating the grain mass into two or more separate divisions and then turning the cooler-wetter grain inwardly as it moves downwardly and turning the hotter-dryer grain outwardly as it moves downwardly in the grain column. Grain is constantly removed from the bottom of the apparatus at a rate governed by the average temperature of the air exiting the grain at a point adjacent the position of the plenum divider and a point closer to the input of the grain.

Abstract: A grain dryer having upright grain passages defined by perforate walls confining grain columns therein, the grain passages having offset portions and common inlets and outlets and vertically spaced plenum chambers, and a duct with a fan and burner drawing air from the lower plenum and applying the air in the upper plenum, a pair of upright imperforate plates lying along the exterior of the grain passages and directing a portion of the air emerging from the upper plenum to be recycled by again passing inwardly through the column and into the lower plenum.

Abstract: A generally vertically disposed bin arranged to receive grain to be dried. Moist grain enters the bin through the top at which point it is distributed relatively uniformly over the full planar area thereof. The bin is equipped with a first floor having air passage perforations therein. The first perforated floor is adapted to carry a substantial column of the moist grain thereon which is subjected to the passage of hot air moving upwardly therethrough. An auger sweep is arranged and constructed to regularly remove portions of the grain lying closest to the surface of the perforated first floor and discharge that grain downwardly through a passageway in the first floor where it is distributed relatively uniformly over a substantial column of grain carried on a second floor spaced beneath the first floor in the bin. The second floor also has air passage perforations therein to permit passage upwardly therethrough of cool air.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for regenerating particulate adsorbents has a bottom outlet and top inlets for admission of the adsorbent to be regenerated by being heated to a regeneration temperature, and for a particulate regenerating material at a temperature above the regeneration temperature. The mixture of the adsorbent with the regenerating material forms a bed in the reaction vessel and is continuously withdrawn through the outlet so that the bed descends toward the latter and is replenished from above under the formation of a cone at the upper region of the bed. A plurality of tubular baffles coaxially surrounds the inlets which are also coaxial with one another, each of the tubular baffles penetrating into the bed in the region of the cone and retards the flow of the particles of the mixture down the slope of the cone in that the particles must pass underneath the baffle to flow to the next baffle.

Abstract: An alarm device for a grain dryer. The alarm device activating an audio alarm and visual alarm energized electrically by a smoke detector and burner shutdown indicator lamp to warn the dryer operator when a burner is no longer operating or when smoke is detected in the dryer.

Abstract: A grain drying bin is disclosed having a simplified structural supporting system and which provides rapid drying of stored grains. An upper truncated pyramidal shaped housing section has at least three inwardly sloping planar side walls and a horizontal roof portion with a grain entry port. A lower inverted truncated pyramidal shaped housing section having the same number of planar inwardly sloping side walls is provided. The two housing sections directly join to one another with the lower housing section being substantially supported in a cavity in the ground. Ventilation panels are mounted substantially parallel to and at a predetermined spacing from the side walls and floor portion of the lower housing section. A hot gas inlet aperture is provided to permit the entry of heated gas into the spaces between the side walls and the ventilation panels.

Abstract: A continuous grain drying and conditioning apparatus of a type including a burner and blower, or a multiplicity of burners and blowers, surrounded by a plenum chamber, air pervious grain holding walls positioned outwardly with respect to the plenum chamber is characerized by having a plenum divider which is selectively adjustable in position to divide the grain holding walls into a heating section and a cooling section. Grain turning apparatus is disposed in the grain column for separating the grain mass into two separate divisions and then turning the cooler-wetter grain inwardly as it moves downwardly and turning the hotter-dryer grain outwardly as it moves downwardly in the grain column. Grain is constantly removed from the bottom of the apparatus at a rate governed by the average temperature of the air exiting the grain at a point adjacent the position of the plenum divider and a point closer to the input of the grain.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for drying and cooling products of a granular nature such as coal as they move downwardly through two flow paths by directing ambient air horizontally through the flow paths into a chamber between the flow paths are disclosed. The chamber is partitioned, and air flow is controlled, so that more air flows through the upper part of the chamber as compared with the lower part of the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying seed corn using cobs and unusable seed corn as fuel for heating the drying medium for drying the seed corn. Products of combustion from an incinerator for incinerating cobs is supplied to a heat exchange medium circulating apparatus having a first heat exchanger and a series of second heat exchangers connected in parallel with each other and in series with the first heat exchanger, and a means for circulating a heat exchange medium through the circulating apparatus for heating the heat exchange medium. A plurality of ear corn dryers for drying seed corn in the form of ear corn each have a gaseous drying medium circulating apparatus control system for alternately circulating a gaseous drying medium in opposite directions through the dryers. Each drying medium circulating apparatus is connected to one of the second heat exchangers for recirculating said gaseous drying medium through the second heat exchanger after it has been circulated through the dryer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a rotating round cooler for the cooling of hot loose material, especially hot iron ore sinter, consisting of a ring-form base plate, which is supported with treadrollers on a circular rail, a holding apparatus fastened to the base plate, a cooling chamber which is fastened movably to the holding device with inner and outer walls permeable to gas, whereby at least the bottom edge of the outer wall is located some distance from the base plate, a horizontal passage to the center of the cooler, a charging apparatus above the cooling chamber, a pick-off above the base plate and in the midst of the cooled material, a drive device for the rotary movement of the cooler, inlet devices for the gaseous cooling medium on the inside of the holding device, as well as blowers for the production of the pressure required for the cooling medium.

Abstract: A portable grain drying apparatus comprising a wheeled frame having a cylindrical housing mounted thereon and extending upwardly therefrom. The housing is provided with a perforated wall portion to permit the escape of air therethrough. An inverted conical-shaped perforated lower floor is provided in the housing above the lower end thereof. The lower floor is provided with a plurality of diamond-shaped air passageways positioned thereon around a centrally disposed grain discharge opening formed in the lower floor. The air passageways also define radially extending grain passageways therebetween to facilitate the even flow of the grain on the lower floor towards the grain discharge opening.

Abstract: A fuel dryer system for waste fuel boilers, such as for example those in the sugar cane processing industry where bagasse is used as a primary fuel, in which the dryer comprises an assembled, enclosed, vertical dryer structure of basically cylindrical shape through which hot drying gases flow with a conical materials collecting hopper and bottom discharge, having alternating conical-shaped rotating and fixed materials trays over which the materials (e.g. bagasse) to be dried move in a net direction from top to bottom (note Figure 1). Adjustable wipers are provided with the conical materials trays, with access portholes at each tray level. In the sugar cane boiler system the stack gases from the boiler are used for the hot drying gases (note Figure 5).

Abstract: A grain dryer for removing moisture from shelled corn, milo, wheat, barley, oats, soy beans, and various other grains, a pair of walls, of which the outer is perforated throughout the working area while the inner has a plurality of unperforated sections, the walls defining a flow path for the grain therebetween, which path varies in width, air passed through the walls and the grain therebetween forming the drying, and the dryer being substantially of the continuous flow type. The invention also contemplates a new method of drying grain.

Abstract: A concurrent-countercurrent flow type grain dryer is described having an improved wet grain-hot air contacting arrangement. The dryer includes a wet grain bin having a horizontal floor assembly with a plurality of uniformly spaced openings with a tube member extending downwardly beneath each such opening. These tubes have insulated side walls and serve to deliver wet grain in response to gravity from the bin into a drying chamber. A hot air inlet duct is provided adjacent the tube members to deliver hot air into the space between the tube members and downwardly through a bed of grain in the drying chamber. The bottom of the drying chamber has metering grain outlets as well as cooling air inlet ducts, while air exhaust duct are provided intermediate the hot and cooling air inlets.

Abstract: An electronic dryer for grain or other materials which includes a gas burner and one or more blowers for providing heated air into a plenum chamber from which such heated air passes through the material to be dried between two spaced walls formed with openings such that the heated air can pass therethrough for drying the material. Temperature sensing means in the form of an elongated member such as a wire is mounted within the plenum chamber so as to detect the plenum chamber temperature and to control the duty cycle of the burner and second and third temperature sensing means are mounted between the spaced walls adjacent the inlet and outlet areas of the heated air so as to detect and determine the moisture content in the materials to be dried. These sensors are also elongated and detect the temperature at many portions of the dryer so as to more accurately determine the temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying seed corn on the ear or shelled seed corn or other seed. A cylindrical housing has a roof thereon with an aperture at the center of said roof and closable openings therein, one of which is a discharge opening in the side of said housing. A downwardly directed conical wall fills the entire internal cross-section of the housing and has a plurality of perforations distributed evenly therein and an opening at the bottom thereof. An open sided pan is positioned beneath the bottom opening of the conical wall and is inclined toward the open side, and a vibrator is operatively associated with the pan for vibrating it. A discharge conveyor has one end beneath the open side of the pan and the other end at the discharge opening.

Abstract: A grain dryer for drying grain crops as they are harvested, comprising a combine having a grain storage bin and a grain dryer supported on the bin and having an air discharge portion extending into the bin and an air intake portion external of the bin, heater elements in the dryer for heating the air discharged therefrom and control elements connected with the dryer to control the flow of air therethrough and the temperature to which the air is heated.

Abstract: The invention comprises an inverted frusto-conical shaped perforated floor which is mounted in a conventional grain drying bin in a raised position relative to the base floor thereof. The perforated floor has a plurality of grain discharge openings formed therein, each of which are selectively closed by a trough-like valve. The valves have varying lengths to obtain better grain distribution on the base floor. The valves are controlled by a manually operated means. A tube tensioner is provided on the bottom surface of the perforated floor to stiffen and strengthen the perforated floor. A series of bands are mounted above the perforated floor to maintain the level of the grain being dried substantially parallel to the upper surface of the perforated floor for evenness of drying. The grain is dumped on the perforated floor and the dried air is passed upwardly through the perforated floor to dry the grain.

Abstract: The grain is cleaned prior to heating. Then it moves downwardly as a column between perforated walls and is traversed by several airstreams of differing temperatures which provide three or more heating zones and a cooling zone. The temperature of each heating zone beneath the uppermost is less than that of the heating zone next above it. In the cooling zone, the air is drawn inwardly through the grain and into a duct by an exhaust fan. Any fines dislodged during cooling are filtered from the spent cooling air as it emerges from the exhaust fan. The filter is a fine mesh circular screen. A continuously rotating suction shoe removes the fines from the screen. The initial grain cleaning device has two concentric tumbling screens, one for collecting large particles and the other for screening out the fines. The fines are then conveyed through a heating zone and dried, and then run through a dust collector together with the fines from the filter.

Abstract: A grain drying apparatus including a body member into which grain is fed, within which heated air passes through the grain bed to dry it, and from which it is discharged by a metering device, the retention time of the grain in the drying zone being determined by its rate of discharge, the discharge rate of the metering device being variable, and a modulating control system for regulating the metering device to vary its discharge rate in generally direct ratio to grain temperature attained within the drying zone, whereby continuous discharge of grain at a predetermined moisture content is obtained despite variations in the moisture content of the grain supplied to the drying zone.

Abstract: A portable grain dryer is disclosed which is adapted to be used by itself to dry grain or which may be used on a combine or the like to aid in drying grain. An air cooled engine is provided within an elongated shroudlike housing adjacent one end thereof. The exhaust from the air cooled engine passes into an exhaust pipe which extends downwardly along the length of the housing and thence outwardly to the atmosphere. A fan means is operatively connected to the air cooled engine for drawing air over the engine and over the exhaust pipe and for forcing the same into a grain tank or the like. If the device is used on a combine, the combine engine exhaust is also piped through the housing to further heat the air passing through the housing into the grain tank. Preferably, an air deflector or defuser is provided in the lower end of the grain tank for directing the air upwardly through the grain to aid in drying the same.

Abstract: There is provided an improved panel bed of granular material useful for chemically or physically treating a gas and a granular material in a countercurrent contact. The contacting equipment is unusually compact and affords an unusually low pressure drop in the gas. Free surfaces of the granular material for entry of gas are supported cooperatively by "louvers" each having a gently curved upper surface, the outer edge of which supports the outer edge of a given free surface. The gently curved upper surface of the louver inclines from its outer edge first downward and toward the granular material bed and then upward toward an inner edge relatively deep within the granular material bed. The inner edge of a supporting surface is either above the inner edge of the superjacent free surface of granular material or, if below, a line drawn through these edges is inclined at an angle of less than about 45.degree. to the horizontal.

Abstract: .Iadd.Apparatus for method of vacuum freeze-drying frozen granular material in spaced, substantially vertical product beds is provided by vertical cell units designed for this purpose. Sublimed water vapors are conveyed from the product beds to the condensing area by open spaces between said product beds. The open spaces contain heating means for supplying heat of sublimation to the frozen material within the product beds..Iaddend.