Abstract: Particulate compositions are described comprising an intimate mixture of a coal and a gasification catalyst in the presence of steam to yield a plurality of gases including methane and at least one or more of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and other higher hydrocarbons are formed. Processes are also provided for the preparation of the particulate compositions and converting the particulate composition into a plurality of gaseous products.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a cloth treating apparatus, such as a laundry treating machine, and methods of control and operation which sanitize the machine. The laundry treating machine can include an accommodating space which supplies air and moisture in order to remove unpleasant odors, wrinkles, or dampness from the laundry. The laundry treating machine may further include a circulation duct to circulate, dehumidify, or heat air inside the accommodating space. Operation of the laundry treating machine can use steam-sanitizing to remove odors, moisture, bacteria from the accommodating space and circulation duct. Steam-sanitizing can be performed based on a user's selection or the occurrence of a condition, such as unloading of laundry from the accommodating space after treatment.

Abstract: A method of controlling a tumble laundry drier (1), the method including the steps of: starting a drying/ironing cycle and feeding drying air into the drum (5) from a drum input to a drum output; continuously measuring the electrical resistance/conductivity between two electrodes (25) located on the inside of the door; estimating the weight of the laundry inside the drum (5); measuring a temperature of the drying air at the drum output; stopping the drying/ironing cycle, if the weight of the laundry is above a weight threshold, when the electrical resistance/conductivity between the two electrodes (25) is above/below a resistance/conductivity threshold; and stopping the drying/ironing cycle, if the weight of the laundry is below a weight threshold, when the electrical resistance/conductivity between the two electrodes (25) is above/below a resistance/conductivity threshold and also when the temperature of the drying air at the drum output is above a temperature threshold.

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: Particulate compositions are described comprising an intimate mixture of a coal and a gasification catalyst. The particulate compositions are gasified in the presence of steam to yield a plurality of gases including methane and at least one or more of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and other higher hydrocarbons. Processes are also provided for the preparation of the particulate compositions and converting the particulate composition into a plurality of gaseous products.

Abstract: The use of at least one central heat exchanger to extract and dry the heat energy released by laundry machines, in particular their gland steam. The energy thus recovered can be fed back to the laundry machines as hot air or hot water. This represents a significant reduction in the energy requirements of laundry machines as laundry machines discharge a great amount of unused energy into the environment, which, particularly in light of rising energy prices, represents an unnecessary operational cost for a laundry.

Abstract: A gelatin capsule drying system that includes a structure divided into first, second and third zones, a first air handler unit positioned to discharge air into the first zone, a second air handler unit positioned to discharge air into the second zone and a third air handler unit positioned to discharge air into the third zone. The system further includes a series of tumble dryers that extend from the first zone, through the second zone and into the third zone, and an HVAC unit that provides air to the first, second and third air handler units.

Abstract: An improvement for drying crushed cane or other bagasse for briquetting or other processes includes a drying unit (1) with a humid bagasse dosing hopper (2) having a screw conveyor feeding inclined screw conveyor (5) and a latter rotary dosing valve (6) discharging into hot air funnel (7) into drying tank (8), bagasse being lifted and exposed to the hot air in front chamber (9) and in final drying chamber (17) by tumbling blades (10) through the action of geared motor (15), almost-dry bagasse in suspension being sucked out by pair of centrifugal blowers (18) dropping it into separator filter (19) and falling into hopper (20), being cooled in open-trough screw conveyors (21) and (22), screw conveyor (22) including screen (23) for separation of powder to be conveyed by screw conveyor (25) to inclined screw conveyor (26) for discharge into feeder hoppers (28) to the burners (32).

Abstract: A drying apparatus for drying sports pads or apparel is provided. The drying apparatus may include a first member and a second member. The first member may be aligned substantially perpendicular to the second member and slid into the second member to form the drying apparatus. The drying apparatus may be inserted into the sports pads or a portion of the apparel to permit air to flow throughout the innards of the sports pads or apparel, thereby facilitating the drying of the sports pads or apparel.

Abstract: Described are processes for producing pulverulent coating compositions comprising providing an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising i) as component A a polymer obtained by radical polymerization of a) N,N-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate, and b) at least one radically polymerizable compound selected from esters of ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids with C1-C8-alkanols; and spray processing the aqueous polymer dispersion in the presence of a drying gas to provide a powder, wherein the entry temperature of the drying gas into the spraying apparatus is at least 20° C. above the glass transition temperature and is at least 20° C. above the minimum film-forming temperature of the polymer and the exit temperature of the drying gas from the spraying apparatus is kept at 40 to 85° C.

Abstract: High-temperature method for the treatment of lumber, the method comprising the steps of providing stacks (10) of lumber, restraining those stacks, subjecting the stacks to a first conditioning phase, drying the stacks in an air stream at a temperature of not less than 120° C., cooling the stacks and subsequently subjecting the stacks to a second conditioning phase, and further cooling the dried stacks in ambient temperature air stream.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a supercritical drying device, comprising a sealable first vessel; a fluorine adsorbent provided inside the first vessel; a second vessel being provided inside the first vessel and housing a semiconductor substrate; a heater heating the inside of the first vessel; a pipe connected to the first vessel; and a valve provided on the pipe. Free fluorine generated by heating a fluorine containing solvent is adsorbed to the fluorine adsorbent.

Abstract: A clothes-treating apparatus and a controlling method thereof are disclosed. According to a controlling method of a clothes-treating apparatus, a clothes-treating apparatus is capable of steam-cleansing a heat exchanger of a heat pump provided therein automatically. An additional device may not be provided in the clothes treating apparatus to cleanse and sterilize a heat exchanger of a heat pump provided in a mechanism compartment to supply dry or heated air to clothes.

Abstract: A free radical decontamination method and system. The system is comprised of a chamber defining a region, and a generator for generating free radical reach effluent from a free radical electric generator and hydrogen peroxide solution with water. A closed loop circulating system is provided for supplying the mixture of free radicals from the electric generator mixed with the hydrogen peroxide solution in the form of the effluent to the chamber.

Abstract: A substrate treatment method employs a substrate holding unit, a gas ejection nozzle, and a gas supply unit. The substrate holding unit is configured to hold a substrate. The gas supply unit is configured to supply a gas to the gas ejection nozzle. The gas ejection nozzle is disposed to be positioned adjacent a center portion of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit. The gas ejection nozzle has a gas ejection port. The gas ejection nozzle is configured to eject the gas radially from the gas ejection port over the substrate held by the substrate holding unit to form a gas-flow for covering the substrate.

Abstract: Method of extracting syngas between the zone in a furnace where oxygen-starved combustion of biomass occurs and the zone in the furnace where secondary air is added to complete combustion, conditioning and cleaning the extracted syngas, and delivering it in a metered amount to the oxidizer or upstream of the oxidizer to reduce or eliminate the need for additional fossil fuels once the oxidizer has achieved its operating temperature. The gasifier or furnace burns solid waste and produces a syngas containing relatively high levels of CO, which is extracted from the furnace, conditioned, and introduced into an RTO as a fuel source. In certain embodiments, no extraction of syngas from the furnace takes place; the furnace conditions are manipulated so that normally undesirable levels of CO and other VOC's remain in the process stream. The heat from the furnace is used as intended (e.g., to heat a dryer), the stream is conditioned, and ultimately proceeds to a downstream RTO.

Abstract: A method for drying grain with a single drying step is based on the glass transition temperature (Tg) hypothesis. The air used to dry the grain is maintained at a sufficient temperature and relative humidity (RH) such that the grain remains entirely in the rubbery state during the drying process, which prevents the formation of fissures that result from the transition of the grain to the glassy state at the grain kernel periphery. The result of the process is an improved head rice yield (HRY) comparable to longer, multi-step drying methods but which may be accomplished in less time and with lower energy requirements.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to microfluidics, and to spray drying and other drying techniques. In some aspects, an article containing one or more channels or microfluidic channels is used to mix one or more fluids prior to spray drying. The mixing may occur immediately before the fluids are expelled through a nozzle or other opening into a drying region of the spray dryer. In one set of embodiments, for example, a first fluid is exposed to a second fluid, then the fluids are exposed to air or other gases before being expelled through a nozzle. In certain instances, the first fluid may contain a dissolved species that may precipitate upon exposure to the second fluid; such precipitation may occur immediately before expulsion through a nozzle or other opening, thereby resulting in controlled precipitation as part of the spray drying process.

Abstract: A technology can efficiently dry the high-boiling point solvent contained in the object and achieve the space-saving and energy-saving of a drying apparatus. A drying method for drying an object containing a first solvent while conveying the object into a chamber (38), comprises: a first drying step of drying the object up to a drying point in the prestage of the chamber (38); and a second drying step of forming a vapor atmosphere of a second solvent having a lower boiling point than the first solvent in the chamber (38) and drying the object such that the temperature of the object in an inlet port of the chamber (38) is made to be lower by a predetermined temperature difference than the temperature of the vapor atmosphere.

Abstract: A gas dispenser in a process module for wet processing of wafer-shaped articles is substantially smaller than the article to be processed and is movable laterally of the article as it dispenses inert gas above the article.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a dryer and a method of controlling a cleaning operation thereof that are capable of supplying moisture into a drying chamber of the dryer to wet contaminants in the drying chamber and blowing air to the wetted contaminants to remove the contaminants. The method includes supplying moisture into a drying chamber to wet contaminants in the drying chamber and removing the contaminants wetted by the moisture.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a clothes dryer with a moisture sensor having a conductivity circuit with spaced contacts.

Abstract: A system for controlling a clothes dryer whereby the user selects a desired time of drying and the heat used to dry the clothes is adjusted during the operational time such that the clothes are not dried unnecessarily quickly. Accordingly, the energy efficiency of the clothes dryer using this invention is improved compared to the prior art.

Abstract: A clothes treating apparatus includes a drum, an air suction unit forming a flow path of air introduced into the drum, an air exhaustion unit forming a flow path of air exhausted from the drum, a condenser heating air sucked into the drum through the air suction unit, an evaporator cooling air exhausted from the drum through the air exhaustion unit, a compressor compressing refrigerant introduced from the evaporator, and a variable expander expanding a refrigerant introduced from the condenser, and having a variable open degree. An operation method includes measuring a temperature of a refrigerant into the evaporator, and a temperature of a refrigerant into the compressor, and decreasing an open degree of the variable expander when a temperature difference between the two measured temperatures is less than a predetermined first value.

Abstract: A sprinkler system and a method for mitigating scaling, microbiological influenced corrosion and oxidative corrosion are disclosed. The system includes a piping network in fluid communication with a source of pressurized water and an air pump. The network is vented to the ambient. The air pump moves initially dry ambient air through the system, either by maintaining a negative or a positive air pressure within the network. The dry air absorbs residual water within the network and exhausts it to the ambient. Rate of air flow through the system is controlled by restrictor elements such as orifices, throttle valves or venturies within the piping network.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for smoothing the surface of an object built from a polymeric or wax material using a layered manufacturing rapid prototyping technique. After the object is built it is exposed to a vaporized solvent such as in a vaporizer for an exposure time sufficient to reflow the object surface. A solvent is chosen based on its ability to transiently soften the material which forms the object, and thereafter evaporate off the object. The object is removed from the solvent and allowed to dry, producing a smooth finished part.

Abstract: Aeration drying and disinfecting grain crops in bulk and pretreating seeds includes passing through a bulk of grain crops and seeds disinfecting and drying agents including an ozone and air mixture and surrounding air, subdividing the disinfecting and drying agents into a plurality of streams spaced from one another in a vertical direction, and passing the streams at different heights through levels located at corresponding heights of the bulk of grain crops and seeds transversely in a substantially horizontal direction.

Abstract: An application for a shower drying system that directs air downwardly onto the walls, surfaces and/or shower curtain of a shower enclosure. In one embodiment, the air is heated. The movement of the air in the downward direction helps urge droplets of water on the shower surface towards a drain at the lower level of the shower enclosure. Remaining water on the surfaces is evaporated into water vapor that is exhausted from above the shower enclosure, thereby reducing mold and mildew.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a dryer used to reduce the moisture content of sheet material. A drying chamber is provided and includes a plurality of drying sections and a single point exhaust system. A seal section located at the input end of the dryer includes an exhaust passage through which a gas sample is drawn by a sampling fan. Gases within the seal section are a combination of ambient air drawn through restricted passages at the entry to the seal section and exhaust gas that bleeds into the seal section from the drying chamber. A controller monitors the temperature of the sampled gases and ambient air and adjusts the rate of exhaust flow from the main exhaust system as a function of the temperature differential. A heating system is also provided for heating the seal exhaust gases above the pitch condensation temperature for the flow.

Abstract: A control method of a dryer is disclosed. A control method of a dryer including a heat pump having a inverter compressor includes determining a driving condition of the dryer; and adjusting at least one of an electric power supplied to the inverter compressor and a driving velocity of the compressor based on the driving condition.

Abstract: A method for drying a material to be dried is described, which is acted upon inside a drying chamber by a drying gas guided in a circuit and heated by means of a heat exchanger (8) to remove the evaporated liquid. In order that a low external energy input is sufficient, it is proposed that a part of the drying gas stream is separated from the circuit, compressed and condensed in the heat exchanger (8) whilst releasing heat to the drying gas stream guided in the circuit.

Abstract: A novel clothes dryer, and an adaptor for a conventional clothes dryer, are disclosed. The novel clothes dryer and the adaptor enable a method for operating a clothes dryer located inside a building. The method comprises the steps of drawing air directly from outside the building into a dryer inlet, heating the air to produce heated air, circulating the heated air among moist textiles in a dryer drum to evaporate moisture from the textiles to produce moist heated air, and then venting the moist heated air from a dryer air outlet directly to outside the building.

Abstract: A dryer is provided that includes a drying chamber for items to be dried; a supply air duct; a process air duct; an exhaust air duct; and a heat pump having a heat sink and a heat source, wherein the supply air duct and the exhaust air duct can be connected to each other through a recirculating air duct by means of a mechanism in order to adjust a proportion of recirculating and exhaust air in the dryer, and wherein the dryer has a first sensor for determining a process air temperature. A method for operating the dryer and a method for controlling the temperature and/or the humidity of the air of a room using the dryer are also provided.

Abstract: A blower system to remove precipitation from an antenna may include a blower air plenum extending substantially completely along one side of the antenna. A vent is in communication with the blower air plenum and extends substantially completely along the one side of the antenna to direct an airstream across a surface of the antenna to remove precipitation from the antenna. The vent may include a contour to conform to a contour of the one side of the antenna. The blower system may also include an air compressor to force air into the blower air plenum and out the vent to form the airstream flowing across the surface of the antenna.

Abstract: A heat processing apparatus includes a heating plate configured to heat the substrate; a cover configured to surround a space above the heating plate; an exhaust gas flow forming mechanism configured to exhaust gas inside the cover to form exhaust gas flows within the space above the heating plate; a downflow forming mechanism configured to form downflows uniformly supplied onto an upper surface of the substrate placed on the heating plate; and a control mechanism configured to execute mode switching control between a mode arranged to heat the substrate while forming the downflows by the downflow forming mechanism and a mode arranged to heat the substrate while forming the exhaust gas flows by the exhaust gas flow forming mechanism.

Abstract: A system for drying walls includes a panel which has a first portion, a second portion, and a body portion, the body portion joining the first portion and the second portion, the first portion being in contact with a floor and the second portion being in contact with a wall, the panel creating a channel through which air is passed to extract water from the wall. A method of drying lower portions of walls within a water-damaged building includes placing a plurality of panels against the lower portions of walls such that a channel is created along the lower portions of the walls and forcing air along the channel.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for drying grain in a storage bin as well as the method of drying the grain. The apparatus includes an air blower positioned outwardly of the storage bin which has an air inlet end and an air discharge end. The air discharge end of the air blower is in communication with the interior of the storage bin. A heat exchanger is positioned in a spaced relationship with respect to the air blower and has an air passageway with an inlet end and an outlet end. The outlet end of the heat exchanger is spaced from the inlet end of the air blower. An infrared heater is spaced from the inlet end of the heat exchanger so that infrared rays from the infrared heater will be directed into the air passageway of the heat exchanger so that the heat exchanger will heat the air being drawn through the heat exchanger by the air blower with the air blower sucking heated air from the air passageway and blowing the same into the storage bin to dry the grain therein.

Abstract: An automatic drying method is provided for a drum type washing machine and dryer having an upper temperature sensors A1 and a lower temperature sensor A2 mounted at upper and lower portions of an inside of a duct that is an air circulating passage for drying laundry respectively, for performing a drying cycle by using a difference of temperatures sensed at the upper temperature sensor A1 and the lower temperature sensor A2, respectively.

Abstract: A device for removing fluids from particulate materials, including a container having a circular process chamber with a cylindrical external contour, an input device for inputting the materials into the process chamber, a discharge device for discharging the particulate materials freed of the fluid from the process chamber, a feed device for feeding a fluidizing agent from below into the process chamber, and at least one conditioning device for conditioning the fluidization agent in the direction of flow prior to the feed device.

Abstract: A dryer having an improved automatic dryness detection circuit is provided. Wet clothing in the dryer bin contacts a sensor and causes a pulse to be sent to a microcontroller if the resistance of the clothes is low enough. The microcontroller disregards pulses which are shorter than a threshold time and counts pulses which are longer than a threshold time. The microcontroller issues a termination signal if the rate of pulses is lower than a threshold rate.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for detecting a root moisture content of clothing in a clothes dryer. The dryer has two conducting bars situated in the dryer bin. A pulse generator circuit is coupled to the conducting bars. A microcontroller is coupled to an output of the pulse generator circuit. The pulse generator circuit generates a pulse when wet clothing contacts the conducting bars in the dryer bin. The microcontroller receives the pulses and counts the pulses that are longer than a threshold length. The microcontroller issues a termination signal based on the number of counted pulses.

Abstract: A domestic appliance including an adsorption unit and further including a process air conduit, wherein an adsorption container operates as a heat exchanger for heating a stream of air flowing in the process air conduit and being applied to the adsorption container, with the adsorption unit configured for alternate and reversible operation in a first operating state in which a stream of air flowing in the process air conduit is applied to the adsorption container and which adsorbs adsorptive evaporating in the phase transition container, and in a second operating state in which the adsorbing agent is heated by the heater and the adsorptive is desorbed, with desorbed adsorptive condensing in the phase transition container, the domestic appliance including an assembly operatively associated with the adsorption unit for applying a stream of air flowing in the process air conduit to the adsorption container in the second operating state.

Abstract: A method of preventing a porous product positioned within an interior area of a railcar bin from caking includes positioning a first vertical pipe at least partly into the product, positioning a second vertical pipe at least partly into the product, capturing moisture from within the granular product and within the railcar bin through the first and second vertical pipes, and expelling the moisture from the railcar bin. The first and second vertical pipes each has a first open end and a second open end and may optionally include apertures along a length of each of the vertical pipes. The second vertical pipe is spaced from the first vertical pipe at a distance sufficient to create natural convection.

Abstract: A coating device for coating a medical device with a drug-eluting material uses an in-process drying station between coats to improve a drug release profile. The drying station includes a heat nozzle configured for applying a uniform drying gas. A coating process using the dryer includes a closed-loop control for the gas between drying steps and an improved nozzle for producing more consistent spray patterns.

Abstract: A processing method and apparatus are disclosed for processing an inhaler component of a dry powder inhaler so as to remove any electrostatic charge and improve inhaler performance in drug delivery to the respiratory tract. The method includes exposing the inhaler component, while it contains an amount of medicament, to a gas in a chamber at a first predetermined pressure; exposing the inhaler component, in the chamber, to gas at a second pressure greater than the first pressure; and repeating the exposure of the inhaler component to gas at a pressure no greater than the first predetermined pressure.

Abstract: This invention discloses systems and methods for conversion of high moisture waste materials to dry or low moisture products for recycle or reuse. The equipment systems comprise a gas turbine generator unit (preferred heat source), a dryer vessel and a processing unit, wherein the connection between the gas turbine and the dryer vessel directs substantially all the gas turbine exhaust into the dryer vessel and substantially precludes the introduction of air into the dryer vessel and wherein the processing unit forms the dried material from the dryer vessel into granules, pellets or other desired form for the final product. Optionally, the systems and methods further provide for processing ventilation air from manufacturing facilities to reduce emissions therefrom.

Abstract: This invention discloses systems and methods for conversion of high moisture waste materials to dry or low moisture products for recycle or reuse. The equipment systems comprise a gas turbine generator unit (preferred heat source), a dryer vessel and a processing unit, wherein the connection between the gas turbine and the dryer vessel directs substantially all the gas turbine exhaust into the dryer vessel and substantially precludes the introduction of air into the dryer vessel and wherein the processing unit forms the dried material from the dryer vessel into granules, pellets or other desired form for the final product. Optionally, the systems and methods further provide for processing ventilation air from manufacturing facilities to reduce emissions therefrom.

Abstract: In a dry process after a cleaning process using a cleaning-liquid nozzle and a rinse process using a side rinse nozzle are performed on a wafer W, the wafer W is turned, feeding of pure water to a center point of the wafer W from a pure-water nozzle is started, and substantially at the same, injection of a nitrogen gas from a gas nozzle to a center portion of the wafer W at a point at an adequate distance apart from the center of the wafer W is started. Next, while the pure-water nozzle is caused to scan toward the periphery of the wafer W, the gas nozzle is caused to scan toward the periphery of the wafer W in an area radially inward of the position of the pure-water nozzle after the gas nozzle passes the center of the wafer W.

Abstract: A dryer extension assembly connects with a hand-held dryer for dispensing heated air beyond an exhaust outlet of the dryer. The extension assembly is constructed from one or more interconnectable tube sections, an adapter section, and a stand section. Each tube section has a plurality of apertures defined through the outer wall and the inner wall for outletting heated air directed through the tube section. The number of interconnectable tube sections essentially enables the user to select an overall length of the extension assembly. The adapter section couples the dryer to a first or top tube section and the stand section receives the last or bottom tube section. The stand section enables the user to stand the extension assembly in a vertical position such that the hand-held dryer is held aloft by the extension assembly.

Abstract: Drying is performed in a continuous fluidized bed having at least two drying rooms. Drying is performed after pulverization is performed between drying in a first drying room and drying in a second or subsequent room. Drying is performed in a continuous fluidized bed whose fluidized bed contains a heat transfer tube. The second or subsequent drying room has a higher drying temperature than the first drying room. Drying is performed with the drying temperature of the first drying room falling within a range of not less than 80° C. to not more than 200° C. and with the drying temperature of the second or subsequent drying room falling within a range of not less than 100° C. to not more than 220° C.