Abstract: A system and method for vertically-oriented, modular, automated, emissions-controlled composting. In a preferred embodiment, the system and method involve construction of a vertically-oriented set of composting modules comprising a receiving and offloading level, one or more composting bay levels, a feedstock staging level, a biofilter level, a vertical conveyor for uploading feedstock to the feedstock staging level, a freight and personnel elevator, and a leachate tank. This composting system and method reduces the land area required for composting, increases the capture of emissions from composting, and reduces the labor-intensive and heavy-equipment-intensive nature of current methods.

Abstract: A dryer attachment for a vehicle, including: a coupler adapted to engage a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) duct of the vehicle; a flexible conduit coupled to the coupler; and a nozzle coupled to the flexible conduit opposite the coupler; wherein the coupler, the flexible conduit, and the nozzle are collectively adapted to deliver an air flow from the HVAC duct of the vehicle to an object disposed adjacent to a port of the nozzle. The coupler is adapted to engage a vent of the HVAC duct of the vehicle. Alternatively, the coupler is adapted to replace a vent of the HVAC duct of the vehicle. Alternatively, the coupler is adapted to engage a dedicated port of the HVAC duct of the vehicle.

Abstract: A deposition method includes forming a nitride film on a surface of a substrate; and performing, after the depositing, plasma purging supplying a noble gas activated as a plasma. The forming of the nitride film includes a) forming adsorption inhibitors on the surface of the substrate, by supplying a chlorine gas activated by a plasma and by causing the activated chlorine gas to be adsorbed on the surface of the substrate; b) causing a raw material gas, containing silicon and chlorine or a metal and chlorine, to be adsorbed on a region in the surface of the substrate on which the adsorption inhibitors are not present, by supplying the raw material gas on the surface of the substrate; and c) depositing the nitride film on the surface of the substrate, by supplying a nitriding gas to cause the raw material gas to be reacted with the nitriding gas.

Abstract: An oven configured for drying a container. The oven includes a housing defining an interior space including a supply chamber and a return chamber. A conveyor is configured for movement within a portion of the interior space of the housing defined by a plurality of semi-circular shaped duct sections connected at each end of the semi-circular shaped duct sections to a straight duct section. Each duct section includes two side walls coupled to a back wall defining a continuous U-shaped duct path through which the conveyor moves. The oven is further configured to provide a temperature difference between any two points within the interior space of the oven housing controlled to plus or minus two degrees Fahrenheit, by a uniform air flow throughout the oven. The uniform air flow is facilitated by the sizing and spacing of various circular orifices and slotted orifices in the continuous duct path.

Abstract: An oxidation furnace for the oxidative treatment of fibers, which, comprises a process chamber arranged inside a housing, a blowing device arranged in the center of the process chamber, a suction device arranged in the two opposite end regions of the process chamber, at least one ventilator that circulates the hot air through the blowing device, the process chamber and the suction devices, and at least one heating device arranged in the flow path of the hot circulated air. The blowing device comprises a plurality of vertically interspaced blowing boxes comprising an inlet, and, on opposite sides, outlets for the hot air. Two stacks of vertically interspaced blowing boxes may be provided, said blowing boxes being interspaced one behind the other in the direction of movement of the fibers, and/or the built-in boxes in a stack comprise at least one additional outlet in the upper side and the lower side, for hot air.

Abstract: An oven configured for drying a container. The oven includes a housing defining an interior space including a supply chamber and a return chamber. A conveyor is configured for movement within a portion of the interior space of the housing defined by a plurality of semi-circular shaped duct sections connected at each end of the semi-circular shaped duct sections to a straight duct section. Each duct section includes two side walls coupled to a back wall defining a continuous U-shaped duct path through which the conveyor moves. The oven is further configured to provide a temperature difference between any two points within the interior space of the oven housing controlled to plus or minus two degrees Fahrenheit, by a uniform air flow throughout the oven. The uniform air flow is facilitated by the sizing and spacing of various circular orifices and slotted orifices in the continuous duct path.

Abstract: A scent eliminating locker that has a housing that includes a plurality of motors disposed in an interior of the housing for circulating, moving and heating air within the interior. Additionally, in the interior of the housing there are a plurality of replaceable and interchangeable filters that eliminates odor from tangible objects placed in the interior of the housing.

Abstract: The heater and dehumidifier for game calls includes a body having a least one main inlet for receiving airflow into the body, an at least one second opening formed in the body defining an at least one main outlet. A first chamber has a first passageway, a second chamber has a second passageway and a third chamber has a third passageway. The first passageway is in communication with the second passageway, and the second passageway is in communication with the third passageway. The device further includes at least one stack adapted to receive a call.

Abstract: A ventilated portable container is a carrying case or sports equipment bag for storing, carrying and drying sports equipment. The portable container includes a ventilator for drawing fresh air into the container and for encouraging stale air out of the container through at least one filtered air outlet. The portable container includes an exterior pocket having at least one air inlet and at least one air vent.

Abstract: A grain aeration assembly is provided for a hopper bottom bin, and includes a plurality of curved wall segments sized to pass through the manhole of the bin. The wall segments are assembled inside the bin to form a cylindrical tower extending upwardly. The wall segments include an internal frame and inner and outer screens. The tower is supported above the sloped floor of the bin by a plurality of legs. An air conduit extends between the tower and an exterior fan, which provides forced air into the space between the inner and outer screens of the wall segments. The air flows outwardly through the screens, while grain or stored material is prevented from passing through the screens into the wall segments.

Abstract: A gas heater with specialized controls allows an operator to deploy a single device to heat and to dry when extracting moisture from a structure. The heater has a fan in a blow thru arrangement ahead of a burner. The burner uses either natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas. The heater has air flow, fan motor, temperature, and ignition controls and sensors. The heater delivers high temperature air to the structure that hastens evaporation as the heated air absorbs great concentrations of water vapor. Then the moisture laden heated air exits the building as the heater draws in fresh air, ducts it into a structure, and pressurizes the structure. This moisture laden air then leaks from the building through select windows using the energy imparted from the fan and then exhausts the moisture to the atmosphere, drying the structure.

Abstract: A support having an inverted U-shape defining a top plenum for distributing air and extending along a top plenum axis and a pair of legs extending downwardly from the top plenum in a spaced and parallel relationship. The top plenum of the support defines an attachment opening at an attachment angle. A bag extends downwardly at the attachment angle from the top plenum to a distal end in an inflated position. A nozzle is disposed the distal end of the bag to define a nozzle opening extending along a nozzle plane. The bag includes a major length and a curved portion. The curved portion of the bag includes a minor length and a filler length. The filler length positions the nozzle to be slanted open at a first nozzle acute angle of 20° forwardly in the inflated position and at a second nozzle acute angle of 20° rearwardly in an up position.

Abstract: An aeration duct apparatus has a plurality of aeration tubes connected together by hollow connectors, each hollow connector defining at least three connection ports. Each aeration tube is connected at each tube end thereof to one of the connection ports, and each connection port is connected to a tube end such that the connected aeration tubes and hollow connectors form a substantially rigid structure. A transition duct is connected to one of the aeration tubes at an inside end thereof and is adapted at an outside end thereof for attachment to a fan. The aeration tubes and transition duct are configured such that air can flow from the fan through the transition duct into each aeration tube and out through a perforated area of walls of the aeration tubes.

Abstract: An air inlet and outlet passage module for desiccation is formed in a hollow structure including a frame and two boards. The frame has a frame channel formed between frame sides and a duct cap on an outer side. The duct cap has an opening communicating with the frame channel and is coupled with an air duct to connect a plurality of air inlet and outlet passage modules in series. The duct cap not being coupled is sealed through a lid. The two boards are located at two corresponding sides of the frame and have a plurality of air vents formed thereon to facilitate air ventilation. Each air vent is formed at a diameter smaller than that of a grain to prevent crops from dropping into the module. The invention can be assembled and disassembled, and coupled in series or parallel easily to enhance drying efficiency and reduce energy waste.

Abstract: A combined plenum divider/hopper is provided for a grain drying tower. The divider/hopper is positioned in the drying tower proximate the heater for the drying tower and is operable to adjust the ratio of the length of the heating portion of the plenum to the length of the cooling portion of the plenum.

Abstract: A drying apparatus has a casing, a cavity formed in the casing for receiving an object, a fan located in the casing and creating an airflow, and at least one slot-like opening communicating with the fan and arranged in the casing so as to direct an airflow transversely across the cavity. The slot-like opening has a maximum width which is no greater than 0.8 mm. This produces a very narrow, high velocity, high pressure airflow which is capable of drying an object efficiently and quickly and is suitable for use in a hand dryer.

Abstract: An improved hood assembly for controllably cooling extruded section members of aluminium and other metal materials at an output of an extruding line therefor, characterized in that said hood assembly comprises a plurality of air delivery spouts inclined according to angles varying from 20° to 60° with respect to a sliding longitudinal direction of said section member through said cooling line.

Abstract: A dryer comprising an enclosure and a transporter for transporting one or more components therethrough between a first and a second opening. The dryer includes one or more heating elements and a first and a second duct within the enclosure. The first and said second duct each include a plurality of openings configured for discharging heated air towards the one or more components. An exhaust stack in fluid communication with an interior of the enclosure includes an exhaust blower for extracting fluid from within the enclosure, and one or more heating elements for oxidizing the vaporized compounds. The supply and the exhaust blowers cooperatively operate to induce infiltration of air through the first and the second opening. A method for operating the dryer is also provided.

Abstract: The heat recovery system includes an oven having a treatment air with a treatment air temperature and a treatment air dew point temperature to treat a product or product in process. A zone outlet exhaust waste treatment air following the treatment of the product. A preheating zone includes a preheating inlet for the introduction of preheating air having a preheating air temperature and a preheating air dew point temperature to preheat the product. A transfer duct extends between the zone outlet of the oven and the preheating zone to transfer a portion of waste treatment air from the oven to the preheating zone to create the preheating air to preheat additional product. The preheating air preheats the product in the preheating zone to a product temperature that is at least equal to the treatment air dew point temperature to eliminate surface condensation on the product during treatment in the oven.

Abstract: Provided is a laundry dryer including: a first duct (9) having a first outlet (8) which opens at a rear side of a drum (1) for storing laundry, and a second duct (11) with a second outlet (10) which opens at a front side of the drum (1). The second outlet (10) has a narrower cross-sectional area, through which air passes, than the first outlet (8). The first or second duct (9, 10) is selectively switched during the drying process. A larger volume of dry air is blown from the first outlet (8) under selection of the first duct (9) than the second duct (11). The dry air is blown from the second outlet (10) at higher pressure and higher velocity under selection of the second duct (11) than the first duct (9).

Abstract: An air inlet and outlet passage module for desiccation is formed in a hollow structure including a frame and two boards. The frame has a frame channel formed between frame sides and a duct cap on an outer side. The duct cap has an opening communicating with the frame channel and is coupled with an air duct to connect a plurality of air inlet and outlet passage modules in series. The duct cap not being coupled is sealed through a lid. The two boards are located at two corresponding sides of the frame and have a plurality of air vents formed thereon to facilitate air ventilation. Each air vent is formed at a diameter smaller than that of a grain to prevent crops from dropping into the module. The invention can be assembled and disassembled, and coupled in series or parallel easily to enhance drying efficiency and reduce energy waste.

Abstract: A foot dryer designed to provide air flow between a patient's toes for drying the bottoms of a patient's feet and especially between their toes. Toe separators are provided on a pair of replaceable gel foot beds for improved sanitation and comfort for the patient. The footpads are replaceable in order to decrease cross contamination from one user to another. Air vents are provided to direct air flow to hard to dry areas such as between a user's toes.

Abstract: A ventilated portable container is a carrying case or sports equipment bag for storing, carrying and drying sports equipment. The portable container includes a ventilator for drawing fresh air into the container and for encouraging stale air out of the container through at least one filtered air outlet. The portable container includes an exterior pocket having at least one air inlet and at least one air vent.

Abstract: A dryer is provided having a drying chamber for items to be dried and a process air duct in which are located a heater for heating the process air, a blower for driving the process air from the heater through the drying chamber, and a heat exchanger arrangement. Via the heat exchanger arrangement, heat can be withdrawn from the process air flowing away from the drying chamber, and the process air flowing toward the heater can be fed to the heat exchanger. The process air duct is divided into a main duct and a secondary duct, the secondary duct having an evaporator in which condensate that was separated from the process air in the heat exchanger arrangement can be evaporated into the process air flowing therethrough and is connected to the exhaust opening.

Abstract: An application for a hearing aid drying/disinfecting system includes a closable container with an internally mounted ultra-violet lamp for disinfecting the hearing aid. A heating element creates an internal temperature that is higher than ambient temperature and a fan circulates air through shielded vents from the outside of the container through the container and back out, thereby drying the hearing aid contained within the drying/disinfecting system.

Abstract: A fully passive-type solar lumber drying house classified into two models, one is an east-west model configured as a half Quonset hut that lumber's axis loaded is parallel to the east-west direction, and another is a north-south model configured as a Quonset hut that lumber's axis loaded is parallel to the north-south direction and the house is fully surrounded by a triple transparent film and a carbon fiber sheet and is available to be used through all year in which stacked lumber can be dried due to solar energy being assisted by auxiliary heat for one or two weeks under leaving the dry process controlled automatically, and besides moist air inside the house is exhausted through an insulated cylinder.

Abstract: An air intake system for supplying outdoor air to a clothes dryer, the system including an enclosure positioned to substantially cover an air intake of a clothes dryer and a conduit coupling the enclosure with the outdoor environment, the enclosure defining an air space for maintaining a volume of supply air and an open side positioned adjacent the air intake such that air is supplied to the air intake from the supply air.

Abstract: An improved vertical aeration system is provided for a grain bin having a sloped hopper bottom with a discharge opening. A pyramid frame includes legs with lower ends attachable to the hopper bottom. Concave perforated walls are attached to the legs. Braces extending between the legs provide structural support for the walls. An air duct extends upwardly and centrally into the interior of the frame, to supply air into the aeration system for flow outwardly through the perforated walls.

Abstract: A hair styling device includes a hand unit having an air inlet, an outlet, and a blower between the inlet and outlet. The device further includes a storage case having a water reservoir and being configured to receive the hand unit. Tubing connects the water reservoir to the hand unit. A pump is included that selectively connects the water reservoir to the hand unit liquid inlet. A heater is situated between the water reservoir and the hand unit outlet to vaporize the contents of the water reservoir. The hair styling device includes controls in communication with the pump and blower, for actuating the pump and blower, respectively. The device may be used to selectively deliver hot hair, steam, or mist.

Abstract: A drying apparatus has a casing, a cavity formed in the casing for receiving an object, a fan located in the casing and creating an airflow, and a motor arranged to drive the fan. At least one opening communicates with the fan and is arranged in the casing to direct an airflow transversely across the cavity. The motor has a rotor which, in use, rotates at a speed of at least 80,000 rpm. This produces a high velocity, high pressure airflow which dries an object efficiently and quickly and is suitable for use in a hand dryer.

Abstract: A drying apparatus and method of drying a wafer including supplying a drying material for drying a wafer and controlling a flow of the drying material to uniformly or substantially dry the wafer. The flow of the drying material may be controlled by a vent unit including at least one part for controlling the flow of the drying material to uniformly or substantially uniformly dry the wafer.

Abstract: This process embodies forcing air through grain and granular biological products using a high volume horizontal airflow from a central vertical pervious tube to one or more plenum chambers near the structure sidewall to dry or cool products. Cross-flow air movement can be supplied by either suction or pressure. This conditioning and drying method has advantages over conventional storage structures, especially where product depth is much greater than diameter. In this process, horizontal air typically moves only ? to ? of vertical distances. Horizontal airflow resistance through elongated seeds is 50-60 percent of vertical airflow. Power for horizontal airflow is typically 8-15% that of vertical airflow. Grain and seed drying costs will be 15-30% of high temperature drying. To enhance germination, storage and grain and seed quality, and to kill or exclude insect pests, ozone is applied to drying or aeration airstreams for treating stored products and storages.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying and massaging feet, comprising a plate (2) whereon the feet are set, defining a plurality of holes (3) through which air escapes towards the feet, at a pressure of at least 0.5 bar, such as to produce not only the drying but also a massaging effect on the feet. The holes (3) are distributed at greater concentration in the regions where the toes and the front part of the feet bear. The plate (2) comprises a plurality of interchangeable templates (8) to adapt the apparatus to different foot sizes.

Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus that treats clothes into a condition suitable to wear is disclosed. The clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet, a receiving space defined in the cabinet for receiving clothes, air and moisture supply devices for supplying dried air and moisture into the receiving space, respectively, an outfit chamber defined in the cabinet for receiving the hot air and steam supply devices, the outfit chamber including an inlet port for allowing external air to be introduced into the outfit chamber therethrough to cool the hot air and steam supply devices, and a noise prevention device installed at the inlet port for preventing noise generated in the outfit chamber from being discharged out of the outfit chamber through the inlet port.

Abstract: A drying apparatus includes a casing and a cavity formed in the casing for receiving an object to be dried. A fan is located in the casing so as to be capable of creating an airflow, and a motor is provided in the casing for driving the fan. Ducting is provided for carrying the airflow from the fan to at least one opening arranged to emit the airflow into the cavity (12). The ducting includes at least one air duct having a wall in which perforations are provided, and a layer of sound-absorbing material is located on the external surface of the wall so as to cover the perforations. The invention is particularly suitable for use in hand dryers.

Abstract: The body hair and feet drying chair is a seat comprising an upright base having a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion, and a hollow interior. A seat is disposed on top of the base. At least one air outlet is defined in the seat in communication with the base's hollow interior. At least one air channel is defined in the bottom portion of the base in communication with the base's hollow interior. A motorized fan contained within the hollow interior of the base draws air into the hollow interior through the air channels and expels air from the hollow interior through the air outlets. Air expelled from the air outlets dries genital and posterior areas of a user seated on the body hair and feet drying chair, while air drawn into the air channels dries the user's feet and toes when the user's feet and toes are positioned over the air channels.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and a method for heat treatment of lignocellulosic material. The apparatus comprises a treatment chamber and devices for circulating and recovering gases from the treatment chamber such as to provide a uniform temperature within the chamber and allow efficient drying of the material. This is achieved by injecting and recovering the gases from at least two sides of the treatment chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a method of drying metallic waste having pyrophoric tendencies (liable to catch fire and/or explode), said waste being for compacting; an apparatus for drying said waste, the apparatus including a compacting canister and being suitable for implementing said drying method; and a canister for compacting said waste, the canister being particularly adapted to implementing said drying method.

Abstract: A device for drying substrates which stores a plurality of substrate (1) and which comprises a processing container (3) to which cleaning fluid (2) after cleaning the substrates (1) is drained and an injection nozzle (5) for injecting drying fluid located at the terminating part of a feed pipe (4) through which liquid drying fluid is supplied, whereby an exhaust equipment is eliminated or simplified, and the drying fluid is fed smoothly.

Abstract: A shower dryer system includes a dryer tower with nozzles for directing heated air into a shower enclosure interior. A programmed controller controls the rate of air flow and the temperature of air flow to and through the air nozzles.

Abstract: A clothes drying apparatus is provided. This clothes drying apparatus comprises a cabinet with an interior region to receive clothes. At least one door is operably connected to the cabinet to allow access to the interior region thereof. Attached to the cabinet is a first intake passage for accessing and receiving air from the exterior environment of a building. A vacuum unit is also attached to the cabinet. This vacuum unit draws air from the exterior of the building, through the passage, and into the interior region of the cabinet. A second passage linked to the interior environment and a switching mechanism may also be provided to permit selective operation of the clothes drying apparatus to draw air from outdoors or indoors based on environmental conditions. Also provided is a method of drying clothes with the clothes drying apparatus.

Abstract: A critical point drying apparatus for sample preparation in electron microscopy and semiconductor wafer production includes a computer system to automate the operational modes in drying the specimen. These operational modes controlled by the computer system are: cooling, in which a drying chamber is cooled; starting, in which the specimen chamber is filled with a transitional fluid; purging, in which the transitional fluid purges an intermediary fluid from the drying chamber and the purged internediary fluid is collected by a collector condenser; heating, in which the drying chamber is heated to elevate the transitional fluid to its critical point temperature and pressure; and bleeding, in which the drying chamber is depressurized to atmospheric pressure at a very slow rate until the drying chamber is completely vented, which signals the end of the drying operation. The drying chamber incorporates concave surfaces for pressure dispersal and to facilitate purging the intermediary fluid completely.

Abstract: An animal dryer comprises an animal receiving chamber, a door member and an air providing member. The animal receiving chamber includes a first end portion, a second end portion and at least three side portions. The second end portion is disposed opposite the first end portion. The door member is disposed within one of the first or second end portions of the animal receiving chamber. The air providing member is either attached to one of the first or second end portions of the animal receiving chamber or disposed around the outside of at least one of the side portions of the animal receiving chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inhibiting corrosion of an automobile chassis is provided. The method utilizes an apparatus which provides a flow of heated air to the underside of the automobile. The apparatus preferably includes a pair of elongated conduits positioned under and along the length of the automobile having a plurality of spaced apart openings. A flow of heated air from the apparatus housing is directed into the conduits and flows out of the openings outward and upward toward the chassis of the automobile and dries the chassis.

Abstract: A garment drying apparatus includes a housing forming a base. A heater is mounted in the base for warming ambient air drawn into the base via a fan through openings formed in the base. A pair of air ducting walls are mounted in the base to direct a portion of the warm air in a first flow path and the remaining portion of the warm air in a second flow path. The flow paths are disposed in substantially diametrically opposed directions within the base. The housing further includes a top wall for covering the base. The top wall includes vent openings aligned with distal ends of the first and second flow paths. Garment support members are mounted on the top surface of the top wall and are pivotable between a first position where support is aligned substantially horizontally in a stowed position on the top wall and a second position where the support is substantially upright relative to the top wall.

Abstract: A dryer system for automated car wash systems includes a new and improved air dryer having a fan and a rotatable nozzle at its discharge end with the nozzle orientation being controlled by a rotary actuator whose drive shaft is mounted on the axis of rotation of the nozzle. A method of using the blowers includes the use of two or more blowers that are positioned above the vehicle and oriented so the streams of concentrated air complement each other in moving liquid particles on the vehicle toward the side or end of the vehicle where they drop from the lower edges of the sides and ends of the vehicle.

Abstract: A microfilm drying device and method are presented for salvaging and drying microfilm which has become wet due to excessive moisture resulting from high water, floods and the like. The device includes a needle assembly which is slidably affixed within a frame to direct air into the internal compartments of a flexible jacket containing microfilm strips. In another embodiment, a hand held drying device allows air to pass through a series of needles to dry the interior of the flexible jackets.

Abstract: An animal dryer comprises an animal receiving chamber, a door member and an air providing member. The animal receiving chamber includes a first end portion, a second end portion and at least three side portions. The second end portion is disposed opposite the first end portion. The door member is disposed within one of the first or second end portions of the animal receiving chamber. The air providing member is either attached to one of the first or second end portions of the animal receiving chamber or disposed around the outside of at least one of the side portions of the animal receiving chamber.

Abstract: A heat-shrinking film packaging machine includes a conveyor for transporting an article to be packaged through a heating device to have a heat-shrinking film surrounding the article heated and shrunk and thus tightly packaging the article. The heating device includes a hot air flow control device including two air supply devices located on opposite sides of the conveyor to define a channel through which the article is transported. Each air supply device has a surface in which an array of openings is defined and arranged in rows and columns for supplying hot air toward the article. A blocking bar is movably mounted to the surface of each air supply device and associated with each row of the openings. The blocking bar is movable with respect to the openings to selectively and partially block the openings for controlling hot air flow through the openings.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide an apparatus for removing particles from a substrate surface, wherein the apparatus includes a substrate support member configured to support a substrate thereon, and a broadband actuator in mechanical communication with the substrate support member. Additionally, an air knife assembly may be positioned proximate a perimeter of the substrate surface, and is configured to deliver a laminar stream of air across the substrate surface in order to remove the dislodged contamination particles therefrom. Alternatively, a plasma source may be used to remove dislodged particles from the area proximate the substrate surface.