Abstract: A feed assembly for a melting chamber having a plurality of walls and at least one submerged burner, and related methods of its operation are disclosed. The feed assembly includes a tubular body being hollow and having a first end and extending to a second end. The second end is for connecting to one of the plurality of walls. The tubular body further includes a port proximate the second end wherein the port has a first port end and tapers radially inwardly to a second port end at the second end. The feed assembly also has a batch charger disposed within the tubular body and having a first charger end and extending to a second charger end.

Abstract: A device for conveying and feeding wet material for a cross-flow hot air combine harvester, the device consisting of a hot air pumping part and a material conveying part. The hot air pumping part uses an air suction pump (4) to pump a flow of hot waste air from an engine radiator (1) of the combine harvester by means of an air suction pipeline (3) so as to provide hot air flow for the material conveying and feeding device. The material conveying part consists of a chain harrow-type conveying groove structure (A) and a cross-flow air chamber structure (B), wherein the chain harrow-type conveying groove structure (A) is used for forcibly conveying and feeding a material; and the cross-flow air chamber structure (B) uses hot air to dry the material, blows to assist in feeding the material, and uses a cross-flow air wheel (14) to forcibly feed the material.

Abstract: A centrifugal dryer for the separation of pellet-like substances from process water including a housing, a rotor arranged in the housing and a screen surrounding the rotor at the peripheral side. The screen has at least one porous screen member which is placed in an arcuate manner around at least one screen carrier hoop and is releasably fastened thereto. The screen is composed of a plurality of screen members which mutually overlap in the peripheral direction and are clamped tight to the screen carrier hoop by one or more tension belts which wrap around the mutually overlapping screen members at the peripheral side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device (01) for dewatering and drying a mixture made of plastic granulate and water, having at least one mixture intake (02), through which the mixture is supplied to the device (01), having at least one water outlet (08), through which the precipitated water is removed from the device (01), having at least one granulate outlet (13), through which the dried granulate is removed from the device (01), the device (01) having a dewatering line (06), along which the mixture is dewatered, and the device (01) having a drying line (12), along which the dewatered granulate is dried.

Abstract: An air drying system and process employs a turbofan jet engine for producing high quality dried products. The air drying system uses both thermal and non-thermal air drying. The turbofan jet engine is housed within an air distribution chamber for directing exhaust air and bypass air from the jet engine into a product drying tube, where it is dried through a combination of thermal drying from heat content in an engine exhaust, and by the kinetic energy of air flowing past the product traveling through the drying tube, that may include a physical impediment for retarding retard the speed of the product solids flowing in the air stream through the tube.

Abstract: An air dryer and process employs a jet engine for producing high quality dried products. A turbofan jet engine in an air-drying system uses both thermal and non-thermal air-drying. The turbofan jet engine is housed within an air distribution chamber for directing exhaust air and bypass air from the jet engine into a product drying tube, where it is dried through a combination of thermal drying from heat content in an engine exhaust, and by the kinetic energy of air flowing past the product traveling through the drying tube, that may include a physical impediment for retarding retard the speed of the product solids flowing in the air stream through the tube.

Abstract: A centrifugal pellet dryer including a stationary cylindrical screen, a driven elevating rotor in said screen elevating wet pellets inside the screen and imparting radial forces to the wet pellets to impact them against the interior of the screen to enable moisture on the pellets to be separated and discharged through the screen, a housing enclosing the screen and rotor and including an inlet for a slurry of pellets, an outlet for dried pellets and an outlet for water removed from the pellets. The side walls of the housing are constructed of a plurality of relatively large, flat panels made of plastic sheet material are supported in a metal framework to attenuate noise of the dryer produced by rotation of the drier rotor and impact of the wet pellets against the screen. A dewaterer in advance of the dryer also has walls made of plastic sheet material.

Abstract: An air dryer and process employs a jet engine for producing high quality dried products. A turbofan jet engine in an air-drying system uses both thermal and non-thermal air-drying. The turbofan jet engine is housed within an air distribution chamber for directing exhaust air and bypass air from the jet engine into a product drying tube, where it is dried through a combination of thermal drying from heat content in an engine exhaust, and by the kinetic energy of air flowing past the product traveling through the drying tube, that may include a physical impediment for retarding retard the speed of the product solids flowing in the air stream through the tube.

Abstract: For separating and drying pellets from a suspension, centrifugal dryers have proved successful wherein a rotor equipped with conveyor blades and disposed vertically in an outside housing for collecting the liquid is enclosed coaxially by a hollow body formed of screen elements. The suspension of pellets and liquid is supplied continuously to the lower area of the space between the hollow body and the rotor. The pellets are transported upward by the conveyor blades rotating with the rotor while being thrown back and forth and dried between the conveyor blades and the screens. At the upper end of the rotor the dried pellets are thrown off. The liquid separated from the pellets passes through the screen jacket and flows out of the discharge port of the outside housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flow disrupter within the flow path of a slurry comprising a desired particulate matter and a transport fluid so as to impart a force angularly disposed to an otherwise obtained direction of travel, thereby preventing the formation of a sheet of aggregated particulates against the screen surface. In a method in accord with the present invention a force is imparted to the desired particulate matter in an angular direction to the direction of travel.

Abstract: A hot air slurry dryer having a cylindrical housing with a central shaft rotatably mounted in the housing. Material to be dried moves from an upstream end of the housing to an outlet at a downstream end. A hot air inlet is connected to the upstream end of the housing preferably at an upstream end wall. A material inlet is open to the side wall of the housing downstream of the hot air inlet. The shaft carries structure for breaking up the moist material introduced into the housing and mixing it with the hot air. In a preferred embodiment a drum is carried by the shaft at the inlet end of the cylindrical housing. The drum carries a plurality of agitator blades that pass close by the interior surface of the side wall of the housing.

Abstract: A dryer for removing surface moisture from a pelletized product and more specifically a dryer which is constructed with dimensions enabling it to effectively centrifugally remove surface moisture from pellets of resin material received from an underwater pelletizer. The dryer is capable of operating at very low rates and easily cleaned with its overall size enabling it to be effectively used for small operations, especially laboratory applications.

Abstract: Annular drying element (15) for mounting on a rotor axle in a drying plant for indirect heating or cooling of moist, comminuted, biological material such as fishmeal, offal from slaughterhouses, mash from breweries and similar materials of animal, vegetable or chemical origin. The drying element is configured with a number of through-going openings (25) extending from the one side of the element to the other. The drying element can be made of two identical, annular plate elements (16) with holes (25), in that tubular stays are welded between oppositely-lying holes. Through the openings (25), elongated elements can be inserted which increase the stirring in the product mass which is to be heat-treated.

Abstract: An improved support ring is disclosed for a polymer resin pellet dryer screen of the type which includes cylindrical screen sections interconnected by two semicircular bands forming a support ring or connecting band. The support ring is positioned in spaced relation to an exterior housing by brackets, and the screen encloses a driven bladed rotor for removing water from a slurry of water and pellets. The improved support ring comprises a two piece annular ring including a generally perpendicular, rigid flange attached to the exterior of a semicircular band pair. The flange rigidities the bands of the ring and supports the adjacent ends of the screen sections from the external housing to maintain the screen in cylindrical configuration and in concentric relation to the bladed rotor rotatably positioned within the screen.

Abstract: Directly heated rotary drums are used in the drying of pourable goods such as wood chips or strands. Drums are provided with built-in fixtures such as cross fixtures, in order to ensure good heat transmission from the drying gas to the goods. The invention comprises a design for a rotary drum (4) which enables good transmission of drying gas to the goods and which is cheap to produce and assemble in comparison with cross fixtures. According to the invention the built-in fixtures in the rotary drum (4) extend radially in the direction of the middle of the drum, starting from the perimeter, over an area of 60 to 85% of the radius of the rotary drum (4), form at least two pockets, and run, apart from the area close to the perimeter, substantially in the direction of rotation (25), in front of the radial starting from their point of attachment. These radially shaped built-in fixtures enable constant distribution of the goods over the cross-section and are substantially cheaper to manufacture and assemble.

Abstract: This invention comprises a radiant heater for use in thermally processing granular polymers and powders. The heater comprises an enclosed air-tight case for housing the reflector, the electrical and structural elements, and the lamps and lamp chamber. These comonents are all enclosed behind a quartz window, and the components and lamp chamber are forced air cooled. A plurality of air passages are provided for the case at the junctures of the window edges and surrounding wall portions of the case. These passages form air venting openings or nozzles which serve to discharge the gaseous coolant in the form of high velocity jet streams which are directed along the outside surface of the window.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved drying techniques which increase the capacity and efficiency of agitated pan type dryers. In particular, the present invention relates to a conical screw type mixer/dryer apparatus and method for aggressive convective drying of hard to dry chemical compounds, such as pharmaceuticals. The aggressive drying is brought about by creating turbulence within the drying vessel during the drying cycle. Significant reductions in drying cycle times have been achieved.

Abstract: Improvements in centrifugal pellet dryers and more particularly to improvements in the rotor structure which includes a shaft, pellet lifter assemblies and supporting spiders which support the pellet lifter assemblies from the shaft. Each spider is made of a one-piece plate laser cut for strength, balance and simplicity. Mounting of the pellet lifter assemblies on the spider, and the spider on the shaft, are configured for easy assembly and maintenance.

Abstract: A system for the solid phase polymerization of polymers comprising a crystallizer, and wherein cold amorphous polymer is introduced to the crystallizer. A source of infrared radiation is associated with the crystallizer, and the polymer is heated by applying infrared radiation thereto. The degree of heating is controlled so that the polymer reaches the crystallization or polymerization temperature without exceeding the polymer melting point.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drying system having continuously connected close spiral conveyers mainly including a material mixer, a pump, a plurality of spiral conveyers connected end-to-end and zigzagging their way from top to bottom, a plurality of steam chambers around the mixer and the spiral conveyers, a container, a water tank, and a plurality of hoppers for receiving dried material. The material mixer has a stirring blade for stirring and loosening the material to be dried. The pump is connected to a bottom end of the mixer to suck the loosened material from the mixer and send it to the spiral conveyers to thereby further loosen and transport the material. Steam chambers surrounding the spiral conveyers are filled with hot steam to indirectly heat the material passing through the spiral conveyers. Automatic control valves are separately provided at a lower end of each spiral conveyer and are connected to a vacuum pump for sucking any moisture out of the spiral conveyers.

Abstract: A drum mixer for heating and drying stone aggregate as part of a process of continuous production of asphalt paving composition, the drum mixer including: an elongate hollow rotatable drum having a length and an outer surface, the elongate hollow rotatable drum defining a central axis, a sleeve having an inner surface, the sleeve being mounted coaxially with the elongate hollow rotatable drum about the central axis and around at least a portion of the length of the elongate hollow rotatable drum and so as to define an annular chamber having an entire distance between the outer surface of the elongate hollow rotatable drum and the inner surface of the sleeve, and structure for mixing hot mix asphalt in the annular chamber including rake flights mounted on the outer surface of the elongate hollow rotatable drum and in the annular chamber including scouring structure for lifting hot mix asphalt up from a lower portion of the annular chamber along the inner surface of the sleeve through the annular chamber and on

Abstract: An asphalt drum mixer includes a rotating drum within a fixed sleeve which defines an annular chamber, and mixing tips mounted on the drum and in the annular chamber. The mixing tips pass through the hot mix asphalt laying in the bottom of the annular chamber and mix and shear the hot mix asphalt and increase its residence time in the drum mixer. In one preferred embodiment, the mixing tips may comprise curved scoop-like elements which lift the hot mix asphalt higher than conventional paddles and greatly increase residence time of the mix in the drum over conventional paddles. The quality of the mix is thus greatly improved. In another preferred embodiment the mixing tips may comprise curved scoop-like elements having slots which greatly increase sheering of the hot mix asphalt, thereby further improving the quality of the mix.

Abstract: A method and a system serve to completely or partially dehydrate sludge by evaporation which originates from e.g. sewage. The sludge is dried with addition of heat in a drying chamber (2), the sludge being transported on an endless travelling grate (3) from an inlet opening (8) in the drying chamber (2) to a discharge opening (9) in it. The sludge is deposited on the grate in a plurality of juxtaposed sludge strings (18) by means of an extruder (6), in which the sludge is preheated to almost 100.degree. C. prior to extrusion. The extruded strings (18) are then heated with such an intensity that the water in the sludge immediately begins to boil, and that a zone of preferably saturated water steam is formed at any rate in the immediate vicinity of the sludge. This provides a light and porous, dried sludge product which is in no way either burnt or scorched, and which constitutes excellent fuel as well as excellent compost.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dehydrating sewage sludge is described. Sewage sludge is placed into a dehydration chamber. The sewage sludge is heated to convert moisture in the sewage sludge to steam and cause gasification. Steam and gases are drawn from the dehydration chamber into a condenser, where the steam is condensed to form hot water. Gases are drawn from the condenser to a burner.

Abstract: Apparatus for the drying of sludges and other fouling feed materials. A rotary screw type indirect heat exchanger is provided having at least one screw member. The screw member includes a helical-shaped flight having a helix angle of about 10 degrees or less and a surface roughness of about 63 micro-inches or less. Means are provided for rotating and heating the screw member and for spreading feed material onto the screw member. The apparatus operates at heat transfer rates and for a time period sufficient to reduce the moisture content of the feed material without requiring mechanical cleaning of feed material foulants from the screw member.

Abstract: The continuous dryer of the invention is essentially characterized in that in addition to blades, said rotor is provided with at least one centrifuging element extending along the entire axis of the rotor advantageously in a helical pattern in the product discharge direction, said centrifuging element being shaped in the form of a rib with a height less than the height of said blades and so calculated as to act as a device for limiting the product layer present on the heated surface of said cylinder.

Abstract: The kiln (1) for producing litharge has a thermally insulated tubular body (2) containing, throughout its length, a shaft (30) with paddles acting as an auger. The tubular body (2) is coaxial with an induction coil (11), which heats it. The raw material in powder form (i.e., the massicot) is charged at a first head (9) of the tubular body (2) and is moved forwards by the paddle shaft (30), until it reaches the second head (10), opposite to the first one (9). During the translation the material (massicot) is heated and is oxidated, being converted into litharge.

Abstract: An apparatus for the heating and/or drying of wet, comminuted material, e.g. organic material, comprises a stationary housing (2) with a rotatable, hollow rotor (3) with inlet (4) and discharge (5) of a heating medium and possible condensate (6) thereof, and where the rotor has annular drying elements (9) disposed at intervals and with annular channels (10) to which the heating medium is fed in a parallel maner from a central channel (11). The annular channels (10) are circular and are disposed concentrically with each other and with the rotor (3).

Abstract: A furnace for producing oxides of lead includes an enclosure defining a furnace chamber, a feed inlet for feeding particulate lead into the chamber, and a discharge outlet for discharging the particulate lead outside the chamber. An array of horizontally disposed serially communicating tubes are arranged vertically within the chamber, communicating between the feed inlet and the discharge outlet. A rotating valve is associated with the feed inlet, for continuously feeding particulate lead into the number of tubes. Variable drive chain and sprocket combinations are associated with each of the tubes to convey the particulate lead serially along the tubes. The furnace includes electric heat tapes surrounding the tubes, for heating the particulate lead within the tubes while the lead is being conveyed along the tubes. The furnace can be used to produce red lead from leady-oxide or litharge by first supplying air or pure oxygen into the tubes.

Abstract: Used drilling muds containing substantial quantities of organic liquids and water-soluble salts are treated to render them environmentally acceptable for disposal purposes, by drying the muds to evaporate all liquids, aqueous and non-aqueous, preferably in a shell-and-tube type heat exchanger through which they are conveyed and held in suspension by screw conveyors, and preferably with the vapors thus generated flowing in a direction counter-current to the mud. Water-soluble salts are removed from the dried mud components by dissolving with water, and the vapors are condensed and phase separated for further purification and re-use if desired.

Abstract: A suction-filter-drier, in particular for isolating and drying a product from suspension, comprising a closed container having an outer wall and a horizontal axis and including a liquid permeable filter positioned in the container and spaced from the outer wall; and having a plurality of filter chambers disposed between the filter means and the outer wall; and further including a hollow rotatable rotor extending axially through the container with the rotor being oblate in cross-section with a rotor disc supported on the rotor, and including means for selectively oscillating the rotor by imparting a reversely pivoting motion.

Abstract: Oily sludges containing volatile hydrocarbons are mixed with diatomaceous earth or perlite in a system which includes an indirect dryer for vaporizing liquids have a boiling point of less than about 700.degree. F. Dried solids are discharged from the dryer and conveyed to an oxidation unit comprising a rotary kiln or lift pipe combustor. Dried hydrocarbon free solids are recirculated for mixing with the oily sludge and condensable vapors are condensed and separated for further use or disposal. A system including the indirect dryer, condenser, oxidation unit, separators for the condensate and separators for gaseous products can be modified to receive hydrocarbon contaminated soils and other earth-like materials having particle sizes ranging from as low as 10 microns up to about 1.0 inches.

Abstract: A paddle type rotary dryer includes a hollow shaft and a plurality of tubular members for interconnecting the interior of a shaft with the interior of each of the paddles. The tubular members extend inwardly into the shaft and prevent the flow of condensate from the shaft into the paddles when the paddles are below the shaft. The tubular members also extend outwardly into the hollow portion of each of the paddles for directing steam into the paddles and define an open passageway or slot so that liquid condensate is drained from the paddles and into the shaft when the vanes are disposed above the shaft, and a fluid conduit is adapted to maintain the level of liquid condensate in the shaft at a height which is less than the height of the inwardly directed tubular member.

Abstract: A screw conveyor type drying apparatus has a plurality of hollow drive shafts each having a plurality of hollow feed vanes located on the respective drive shaft along an imaginary helix positioned on the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft. The drive shafts are driven so that adjacent drive shafts are rotated in mutually opposite directions, whereby a material to be dried is conveyed. A heating fluid supply device feeds heating fluid into the hollow internal of the feed vanes through the hollow drive shafts, whereby the material coming in contact with the feed vanes during conveyance is heated and dried.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing water from sludge waste material is provided. A layer of sludge is disposed upon an endless screen belt which is in turn dragged across a heated plate such that water in the sludge is evaporated and escapes from the sludge as steam. The endless screen is formed by a chain link belt which provides a plurality of discrete containers for small volumes of the sludge. The sludge may also be preheated just prior to drying by the injection of hot air columns into the sludge, such that the sludge is heated and agitated. The steam escaping from the drying sludge is directed into a heat exchanger which in turn heats the preheating air. Waste gases from a heating station are returned to the burner at the heating station to oxidize foul smelling chemicals and then reduce the odors generated by a sludge drying operation.

Abstract: A condensation process and apparatus for water vapor under vacuum which is taken preferably from a drying apparatus. The vacuum is produced by a water ring vacuum pump through which water flows, and the water vapor in the liquid ring vacuum pump is condensed into the liquid. The water is carried in a water circuit with at least one heat exchanger yielding heat from the water for heating purposes. Before flowing into the water ring vacuum pump, the water carried in the circuit is passed through a heat exchanger transferring waste heat from the pump and the pump drive to the water. Heat losses are prevented by a casing of thermal insulation surrounding the pump as well as the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Methods for continuous drying of sludges. Large scouring particles are added to a sludge to be dried to create a mixture which is passed through a rotary screw type indirect heat exchanger. The scouring particles are large relative to the particulates of suspended and dissolved solids which result from drying in the heat exchanger. During the process of drying and conveying the mixture through the heat exchanger the scouring particles continuously remove the particulate residue from the surfaces of the heat exchanger. It also appears that the particles assist in the actual heat transfer between the heat exchanger surfaces and the sludge by absorbing and subsequently releasing heat through relatively large surface areas. The scouring particles can be consumptive, that is, consumed in processes during subsequent handling of the residue, or nonconsumptive.

Abstract: A sludge drier for removing water from sludge has a plurality of augers functionally interconnected to provide a continuous closed loop path of movement to the sludge through an area for drying. The drying area comprises a heated surface with a means for removing dried sludge from the heated surface after drying is carried out.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for same are provided to dehydrate a toxic chemical waste sludge to a powder by an internal heat source and to deposit said powder into a container, said apparatus receiving said sludge from a holding tank hopper having means for wiping said sludge into an auger, said auger serving to feed sludge to said apparatus, and said apparatus having an internal auger to move said dry powder to a storage container.

Abstract: A drying machine for the heating and drying of wet, comminuted materials comprises a stationary housing with a rotary, hollow rotor (1) with the admission and conducting away of a heating medium, and where the rotor has a number of annular drying elements (2) with heating channels (3), and comprises a number of lifting elements (4) secured by welding along the circumference of the drying elements. The lifting elements are plate items which extend over at least two consecutive drying elements, and consist of a lifting part (8) and a deflection part (7).

Abstract: A drier for the heating and drying of wet, comminuted organic materials comprises a stationary housing with a revolving, hollow axle or rotor (1) with inlet and outlet for a heating medium, and where the rotor has a number of annular drying elements (2) disposed at intervals. The drying elements (2) are heated by the heating medium through heat channels (3). On or between the drying elements, lifting elements (4) are disposed along the circumference. Adjacent lifting elements are disposed in a displaced manner from each other to the same side along the outer periphery of the annular elements (2), so that the leading edges (11) extend along a helical line. The drier hereby provides an improved drying and mixing and has a better efficiency. Furthermore, one can determine how quickly the material being dried shall travel forwards, or how long it shall remain in a certain zone. The invention also relates to a lifting element for the drier.

Abstract: A countercurrent fluid cooled conveying screw is disclosed. Suitable for furnace applications, the screw includes an outer shaft spatially circumscribing an inner tube. A plurality of hollow, fluid cooled flights are affixed to the outer shaft and are in fluid flow communication with coolant coursing through the screw. The coolant is first directed through the flights and then back through the outer shaft before exiting through the inner tube.

Abstract: Devolatilization of sticky polyolefin powder and deactivation of catalyst residue can be carried out efficiently and sufficiently without the need for accompanying facilities commonly used in the treatment of powdery products in an apparatus comprising (a) a horizontal cylindrical body, (b) a stirrer provided with one revolving shaft and a plurality of specified stirring blades (c) an inlet pipe for introducing untreated polyolefin power and heating gas, (d) a variable barrage for controlling the holding amount of polyolefin powder insides of said horizontal cylindrical body, (e) an outlet way for discharging after-treated polyolefin powder and gas, (f) inlet pipes for heating gas having a pipe for feeding an after-treating agent, and (g) indirect heating mean.

Abstract: A system for recovering resources from sludge in which sludge containing water in the amount of 90 to 70 percent is first supplied to a sludge concentrator through a forced supply equipment where the sludge is concentrated to contain a water content of a maximum of about 60 percent; then is sent to a drying furnace having a fluidized sand bed. The product obtained in the drying furnace is separated to gas and solid. After the separated gas is pressurized by a fan and is heated by a heat exchanger through a circulator passage, a portion thereof is supplied to the drying furnace as gas for drying and the remainder is sent to the sludge concentrator. The water content is then removed from the concentrated gas and the gas obtained from the sludge concentrator is used in the system as gaseous fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the water content of honey is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing for the honey, a rotatable high surface area body upon which the honey forms a thin film and means for supplying a nonturbulent stream of ambient pressure 40.degree. C. to 75.degree. C. air to said housing so as to reduce the water content of the thin film of honey. The method involves rotating the rotatable body so as to form a thin film of honey and passing a nonturbulent stream of ambient pressure 40.degree. C. to 75.degree. C. air over said honey to reduce its water content.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing water from solid drill cuttings is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rotatable, cylindrical retort vessel having a counter rotating auger-type conveyor therein, with the vessel heated by an induction heating coil surrounding the vessel and travelling along the length thereof. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus includes a general assembly of a pair of retort vessels each with a counter rotating auger-type conveyor therein, located generally in the same vertical plane, with the downstream end of the upper vessel being in communication with the upstream end of the lower vessel. A method of removing water from drill cuttings is also disclosed.

Abstract: The thin film contact dryer consists of a rotor having flat rotor elements extending in a radial direction. In the central third of the rotor is arranged at least one combination of distributing elements and an annular weir which revolves with the rotor and leaves a narrow annular gap open to the internal dryer wall, the annular weir being arranged immediately downstream of the distributing elements as viewed in the direction of flow.

Abstract: A dryer is provided with interacting heat transfer stator and rotor for improved processing capability. The stator comprises a stationary row of planar heat exchange banks supported within the vessel of the dryer. The rotor has a complemental number of annular heat exchange vanes interleaved between the heat exchange banks of the stator to create desired low-level agitation of the processed material as the rotor turns and to provide increased heat transfer efficiency. The vanes on the rotor and the banks of the stator each comprise an open grillwork of tubular members whereby the processed material may flow freely through the vanes and banks for additionally increased heat transfer efficiency and reduced residence time for the material.

Abstract: A dryer system for treating oily solids, such as oil based drilling mud cuttings, into dry and oil-free solids and a liquid which includes recovered oil values. The system is a continuous feed, high vacuum, low temperature, distillation unit. An indirect heat exchanger may also be employed. The dry solids can be discharged continuously through a water standpipe, venturi type eductor or other continuous solids discharge arrangement. The dry solids are oil-free sufficiently to allow discharge into public waters without a rainbow effect. The recovered liquid includes the oil base and chemicals in a state permitting reuse directly in formulation of additional amounts of the oil based drilling mud, or other employment such as a fuel for heating the distillation unit.In one embodiment, the present dryer system is especially useful for installation on offshore drilling platforms.

Abstract: A screw press for drying elastomeric polymers and the like having a cylindrical barrel and intermixed, substantially solid and apertured, discontinuous screw flights for more quickly initiating pressure and temperature increase of polymer in the barrel without increasing the back-up restriction and final pressure at the discharge end of the barrel.