Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for transferring the tail of a web from a first clothing to a second clothing. It is characterised in that the tail is transferred in a first, short open draw from the first clothing to the second clothing. This enables automatic web transfer requiring significantly less space and with equipment of low complexity.

Abstract: A method of stably and precisely attaching substrates and an apparatus for stably and precisely attaching substrates, the method including: placing a substrate, attached with a release film, on a shuttle stage; peeling the release film from the substrate; a transferring unit lifting the substrate from the shuttle stage; a gas supplier spraying gas toward the substrate so that the substrate is convexly curved in a direction away from the gas supplier; the substrate transferred into a chamber by the transferring unit; placing the substrate on a main stage in the chamber; and attaching the substrate to an adherend.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drying granular resin material by drawing vacuum over heating resin material in a vessel, while periodically purging the vessel with the material therein with dry air and bathing the vacuum dried material with dry air until furnished to a processing machine.

Abstract: The present invention discloses low cost, on-site, efficient, and compact (stationary or mobile) system for continuous (non-batch operation) conversion of waste to usable products such as sources of energy, fertilizer, etc.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for drying wet biosolids to produce a class A biosolids. Generally described, the method of treating biosolids includes drying a wet biosolids in an indirect dryer to produce a partially dried biosolids and drying the partially dried biosolids in a direct dryer in series with and downstream of the indirect dryer to produce a class A biosolids. The indirect dryer and direct dryer may be operated at an average temperature of greater than about 100° C. and may have a total combined residence time of less than about 60 minutes. Also provided are systems for drying wet biosolids including an indirect biosolids dryer and a direct biosolids dryer in series. The methods and systems are particularly effective at reducing the moisture content of the biosolids from greater than 85% to less than 10% by weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the vacuum drying of capillary porous bulk materials. The method involves preheating of the material, its loading into the vacuum drying chamber having heating elements followed by cycle-by-cycling heating of the material and vacuum creation in the rapid vacuum impulse action mode with stage-by-stage single or multiple reduction of pressure in the range from 0.1 MPa to 0.0001 MPa followed by the exposure to vacuum unless the material temperature is stabilized. Said cycles are repeated unless the required material moisture is achieved. Cooling of the material is performed in the same drying chamber by alternating cooling in spouted bed and vacuum impulse action. The device comprises two vacuum chambers cone-shaped at their bases with heaters mounted inside them, material loading/unloading system, one or several receivers with pumps connected in parallel to them and connected via vacuum pipeline system with quick-acting valves to the drying chamber inlet.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating a workpiece has first and second regions at least partially enclosed by a casing and in communication via a passage, and support means for a carrier holding the workpiece in the first region for treatment. Pressure difference between the regions forces the workpiece toward the carrier and guides a flow of media from the first to the second region through the passage, at least partly, to create said pressure difference. Method for treating at least one workpiece holds the workpiece by forcing it toward the carrier with a created pressure difference between two regions. Holding also guides a flow of media from the first region to the second region through the passage in order to, at least partly, create said pressure difference. The treatment may comprise blasting, rinsing or drying. The workpiece may comprise cutting inserts, electronic components, small sized machined or formed components or parts.

Abstract: This consists of the preparation of powdered still slops from concentrated liquid still slops dried and converted into a powder in a conventional dryer (1) and then fed to a powder collecting cyclone (4), featuring at the lower outlet aperture of the collecting cyclone (4) a circular or snail-shaped or logarithmic spiral-shaped device (7) fed with a cool, dry air draught which generates a downward suction effect counter to the upward suction effect of the collecting cyclone (4), bringing about the falling and separation of the powder from the draught of hot air which carries the same. The cool, dry air carries the powder to the exterior for bagging, and the hot air exits upwards via the collecting cyclone (4) towards the flue (6), using a device for the recovery of the heat which it still bears as much as possible.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for taking out or culling, transporting and drying of culled or removed wood from a forest, where the wood is ground or cut into small fragments or units, such as chips, powder, or the like, and then transported out of the forest to a collecting and/or processing site. The ground or fragmented wood is transported over long distances, out from the forest, to a remotely placed collecting and/or processing site. The ground or fragmented wood being transported by a flow of air, and wherein the flow of air transporting the fragmented units is supplied with energy to secure reduction of the water content of the fragmented units during the transport.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system is provided for treating sewage sludge by heating the same in a container to drive off pathogens and/or pasteurize the sewage sludge while the material is tumbled in the container and with moisture gases being evaporated therefrom and drawn off from the container. After treatment the treated sludge is discharged from the container. There is provided at least one weight-responsive member on which the container is mounted, and a control is provided connected to the one or more weight-responsive member whereby the solids content of the treated material can be determined by measuring the difference in weight of material in the container, before and after moisture is drawn off from the material and prior to its discharge from the drum. The control is preferably effected by means of a computer.

Abstract: The invention provides a pneumatic dewatering apparatus (1) for wet product. The apparatus (1) comprises essentially a cyclone chamber (2) connected to a centrifugal fan (3). Various vortex flow forming stations (6), each followed by a vortex shedding station (7), are mounted within the cyclone chamber (2). Tight centripetal vortices are formed and are then shed such that water is delivered out the cyclone chamber (2) into a sump (42).

Abstract: A lithographic mask is placed in a chamber which is then sealed. The gas pressure in the chamber is reduced to dislodge contaminant particles on the mask surface.

Abstract: The vacuum contact drying takes place in a device with a horizontally-arranged heated cylinder (1), a stirrer circulating with a very small wall separation, a blade (4) arranged on the stirrer and optionally an injection line (6), also arranged on the stirrer, for the introduction of liquid, gaseous, or vaporized media. According to the invention, the drying may be controlled whereby the value for the product temperature, the vacuum and the instantaneous evaporation power are continuously measured and regulated on the basis of the measured values.

Abstract: A method of treating a waste stream comprises a vacuum treatment to promote disintegration of the waste material by “flash vapor” production, causing a swiftly vaporizing fraction inside the material to literally explode or shred apart the matrix of the material as a whole. A main processor operates at a level of vacuum that determines a given boiling temperature for a vaporizing fraction, and one which lower than the fraction's boiling temperature for the local vicinity's barometric pressure (eg., atmospheric pressure). The input stream is pre-heated to above the given boiling temperature for that fraction as determined by the main processor's vacuum level without, however, going over the boiling temperature for the local barometric pressure. It is then introduced into the vacuum of the main processor whereby a minor percentage of the vaporizing fraction flashes into vapor, and this presumptively promotes destruction and/or disintegration of the material.

Abstract: A substrate transferring/treating system includes a substrate stacking base, a substrate transferring member for receiving/transferring the substrate from/to the base, a substrate cleaning/drying device for cleaning and drying the substrate transferred from the substrate transferring member, and a substrate treating device for treating the substrate that is cleaned and dried by the substrate cleaning/drying device and transferred by the substrate transferring member.

Abstract: A method of treating a waste stream comprises a vacuum treatment to promote disintegration of the waste material by “flash vapor” production, causing a swiftly vaporizing fraction inside the material to literally explode or shred apart the matrix of the material as a whole. A main processor operates at a level of vacuum that determines a given boiling temperature for a vaporizing fraction, and one which lower than the fraction's boiling temperature for the local vicinity's barometric pressure (eg., atmospheric pressure). The input stream is pre-heated to above the given boiling temperature for that fraction as determined by the main processor's vacuum level without, however, going over the boiling temperature for the local barometric pressure. It is then introduced into the vacuum of the main processor whereby a minor percentage of the vaporizing fraction flashes into vapor, and this presumptively promotes destruction and/or disintegration of the material.

Abstract: A method of separating the membrane and mineral fractions from an input stream of broken empty egg shells comprises a vacuum treatment to promote the membrane fraction to “eject” or detach from the attached or adhered scraps of mineral, ie., mineral shards or powder. A main processor operates at a level of vacuum that determines a given boiling temperature for water, and one which lower than water's boiling temperature for the local vicinity's barometric pressure (eg., atmospheric pressure). The input stream is pre-heated to above the given boiling temperature for water as determined by the main processor's vacuum level without, however, going over the boiling temperature for the local barometric pressure. It is then introduced into the vacuum of the main processor whereby a small percentage of the water content flashes into steam, and this presumptively promotes membrane matter to eject or detach from the shards or powder of mineral.

Abstract: A conveyor of leaves and other products on a belt for laying the same products as a single layer, includes at least a perforated collection belt, at least a suction hood having a surface provided with holes for passage of air flow, an air suction device coupled to the hood, and dragging elements for the collection belt. The collection belt slides by the dragging elements along the perforated surface of the suction hood. The suction device generates an air flow both through the holes of the surface of the suction hood, and through the holes of the collection belt, allowing the coupling on the collection belt of a single layer of the leaves and other products due to their passage close to the collection belt.

Abstract: A cost effective and environmentally sound method for quickly removing liquid from surfaces of a substrate under manufacture without leaving behind substantial residue (e.g., silicon elements from the substrate, commonly known in the field as “water marks”). The process includes first providing a substrate (e.g., a semiconductor wafer, glass flat panel, or disc media), which has undergone one or more liquid-based processes (e.g., cleaning, scrubbing, rinsing, etc.). An upper surface and a lower surface of the substrate are then subjected to vacuum suction, thereby removing liquid thereon. An apparatus for removing liquid from surfaces of a substrate is also provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of vacuum application members configured for applying vacuum suction to surfaces of a substrate, thereby removing liquid therefrom.

Abstract: A method of drying a lactulose solution comprises introducing the solution into a vacuum chamber at elevated temperature and at reduced pressure so that the solution forms a foam, drying the foam under reduced pressure, and milling or grinding or breaking the dried foam into powder.

Abstract: A method of vacuum drying sludge or slurry input material comprises providing a closed-ended vacuum tunnel with at least two interior augers. The tunnel has an interior bed recessed with adjacent troughs separated by a low partition for accommodating the two augers in closely-spaced generally-horizontal side-by-side relation. The augers are driven counter-rotating such the input material re-circulates in an endless loop down one auger, over to the other and back again. The augers have screws formed with stubby flights to form a cut-and-fold arrangement and disintegrate the material. The chamber is heated up to or over 70° C. and a current of air is suctioned into the tunnel through inlets and out through ports in part pull a slight vacuum in the tunnel as well as to suction up and draw out disintegrating fractions of the material including gasified fractions, waftable finely divided particulate fractions and other waftable fractions.

Abstract: A supporting apparatus for supporting a substrate in drying a substrate surface of the substrate including a supporting rod having a hollow interior portion and a groove configured to support a substrate on the supporting rod, the groove communicating to the hollow interior portion, a porous material disposed in the hollow interior portion of the supporting rod such that the porous material contacts with the substrate being supported in the groove, and a vacuum device configured to provide suction in the hollow interior portion of the supporting rod.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for drying materials wet with one or more solvents, particularly hygroscopic materials and materials wet with a high boiling point (low vapor pressure) solvent that are sensitive to heat. Wet material is loaded into a chamber, which is then sealed and caused to oscillate back and forth. Vacuum is enlisted to provide rapid evaporation of solvent at a lower temperature than possible at standard atmospheric pressure. The material is oscillated until a sudden decrease in the residual pressure of the chamber, which indicates completion of the drying cycle. Because vacuum is applied to an oscillating chamber, a rotary vacuum seal is not required to accomplish drying in accordance with the practice of the instant invention.

Abstract: A method for drying fibrous webs utilizing a limiting orifice medium with a plurality of pores. The web is disposed on a supporting fluid permeable carrier. The web is pressed between the supporting carrier and the limiting orifice medium. A vacuum greater than the breakthrough pressure of the pores of the medium is drawn through the pores and the web.

Abstract: A process and a device for continuously drying protein-containing sludge, in particular sewage sludge, in a fluidised bed (20) inside a drying container (13). A drying gas flows through the fluidised bed (20) while partially de-watered sludge (6) in granulate form (21) is added to the fluidised bed (20) while dried sludge (10) is withdrawn therefrom. The granules (21) are formed without admixture of dried substances and are granulated preferably at the same time as they are pressed. Sewage sludge may thus be dried without admixture or recycling of dried substances, so that a highly efficient plant is obtained. In addition, a granulated dry material is produced which may be used in various ways.

Abstract: In the method for unloading items of laundry from a spin-dryer or washer-dryer (20) which has a perforated operating drum (21) and a drum housing (22) with an end-side unloading opening (26) which can be closed by means of a door (27), after the spin-drying process is finished, the operating drum (21) is set to a speed at which the centrifugal force acting on the items of laundry is still somewhat greater than the force of gravity. The door (27) of the drum housing (22) is opened. The pipe of a suction conveying system is connected to the unloading opening (26) of the drum housing (22). The suction conveying system is activated, and on the drum housing (22) the closure member (29) of an air inlet opening, which is arranged on the peripheral wall, is opened. The method can also be used analogously in tumble-dryers. The device for carrying out the method has the device parts mentioned.

Abstract: A thermal desorption system for the treatment of contaminated solids.

Abstract: A mobile Sand Dryer is disclosed. This dryer is substantially made up of two portions. The first portion of the Sand Dryer is a wet sand tank. This tank is essentially divided into two distinct portions; an upper wet sand holding chamber and a lower sand drying chamber. The two chambers are divided by a grate. The upper wet sand holding chamber is supplied with a removable lid as well as a fan which may be used to create a vacuum in the chamber. The lower sand drying chamber is supplied with a propane burner and a hopper bottom. During use wet sand is placed in the upper wet sand drying chamber via the removable lid. The wet sand collects on the steel grate as it is placed into the chamber. Upon ignition of the burner and the fan the vacuum crated by the fan tends to draw the heat and moisture from the sand up and out the top of the chamber. As the sand on the grate is dried it falls through the grate before finally be moved via a vacuum tube to the second chamber.