Abstract: A process for upgrading low-quality wood to high-quality wood comprising the following stages:a) softening the wood by directly heating it electrically in the presence of a softening agent at a pressure of at least the equilibrium vapor pressure of the softening agent at the operating temperature;b) drying the softened wood;c) curing the dried wood; andd) cooling the cured wood.

Abstract: Process and device for the treatment of lumpy products using process media, the treatment including a predetermined sequence of process steps. A chain of treatment units is moved in a stepwise manner. The product to be treated remains within the same treatment unit for the duration of the sequence of the process steps. A supply unit supplies and removes process media in a stopping-station specific manner so that the process steps can proceed simultaneously in the treatment units.

Abstract: A process for the production of pourable, free-flowing granules which are suitable for use as wetting agents, detergents or cleaning products from aqueous solutions or suspensions of such materials in a fluidized-bed spray granulation apparatus employing a hot fluidizing gas. The aqueous selections or suspensions are dried with superheated steam as the fluidizing and drying gas wherein the drying step is carried out in a closed-loop system comprising a steam circuit from which the water evaporated from the aqueous solutions or suspensions of starting materials is removed as a partial stream and the thermal energy released is returned to the steam circuit. The granules are discharged from the granulation apparatus before they can be damaged by heat.

Abstract: A device (10) for tempering substances has a metal block arrangement (12) th at least one zone (32) the temperature of which can be set at a determined mean value, as well as at least another zone (32'). The device (10) has a metallic base plate (31) with a receptacle for the substances, and at least one of its outer surfaces can be brought into thermal contact with the metal block arrangement (12). In addition, a pressure generator (49) generates a pressure that deviates from the ambient pressure between at least one outer surface and the metal block arrangement. The device (10) further has a conveyor (33) that selectively conveys the base plate (31) into one of the zones (32, 32') of the metal block arrangement (12) along a conveying path (44). The pressure generator (49) is capable of generating an overpressure or a depression.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying and curing a coating which as been applied in liquid form to a metal substrate. The process and apparatus include a precuring or drying of the coating by rapidly heating the sheet in an electromagnetic induction coil to volatilize solvents in the coating. The precured sheets are then immediately conveyed to a conventional convection oven for further heating the sheets by baking the sheets at a temperature and for a duration in accordance with the drying and curing specifications of the coating manufacturer. The induction coil is designed to heat the sheet metal in a narrow transverse band as the sheet moves through the induction coil. The power supply to the induction circuit is designed to permit the induction coil to be turned on under varying load.