Abstract: A dryer appliance and a method of operating the same are provided. In one aspect, the dryer appliance includes a drum rotatably mounted within a cabinet. The drum defines a chamber that is in fluid communication with a conditioning system of the dryer appliance. The conditioning system heats air circulating therethrough. A variable speed blower fan is provided to circulate air between the conditioning system and the chamber. A sensor is positioned at or proximate a drum exit of the drum. A controller of the dryer appliance receives an input indicative of the relative humidity of the air at the drum exit. Based on the received input, the controller determines a control command. The control command can be routed to a blower fan motor operable to drive the blower fan. The blower fan motor receives the control command and adjusts a flow rate of the air exiting the drum exit.

Abstract: A drying system for drying a coating applied to an article of manufacture. The drying system includes an enclosable booth having an interior for housing the article of manufacture. The system also includes an air source for blowing air into the booth, means for raising the temperature of the air before entry into the booth, means for lowering the temperature of the air before entry into the booth, means for raising the humidity of the air before entry into the booth, and means for lowering the humidity of the air before entry into the booth. In one embodiment there is included at least one distribution cone which includes a conical member having a plurality of openings formed along the axis thereof. The cones emit air across an article of manufacture within the booth. During the drying process, both the temperature and the humidity within the booth is raised to accelerate drying.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for detecting the cycle termination of a household tumble dryer having sensors for measuring at least two different parameters related to the drying process. In an example method for detecting the cycle termination of a household tumble dryer having sensors for measuring at least two different parameters related to a drying process, signals from the sensors are combined according to a predetermined algorithm in order to improve the accuracy of said detection.

Abstract: A method and device for continuously drying and crystallizing water-flushed granulate. The method comprises the steps of: feeding water-flushed granulate into a pre-dryer, pre-drying granulate in the pre-dryer, conveying pre-dried granulate into a dryer/crystallizer, and discharging crystallized granulate from the dryer/crystallizer. An air conditioning means produces temperature-controlled and humidity-conditioned air that is delivered to the dryer/crystallizer, wherein the exhaust air of the dryer/crystallizer is delivered to the pre-dryer, and wherein the exhaust air of the pre-dryer is returned to the air conditioning means forming a closed air circuit is formed by the dryer/crystallizer, pre-dryer, and air conditioning means. The device comprises a pre-dryer, a dryer/crystallizer, an air conditioning means, and optionally a control unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying foodstuffs involves a pallet supporting a stack of containers containing the foodstuffs. The pallet has a perimeter on which the stack of containers is sealingly supportable. The top of the pallet has at least one aperture to permit air flow therethrough, and the top, bottom and sides of the pallet define a ventilation duct for receiving air through the top of the pallet. A low pressure plenum in fluid communication and sealingly engaged with the ventilation duct draws air down vertically through the foodstuffs through the top of the pallet and out of the ventilation duct into the plenum. A drying installation involves the apparatus in a climate controlled room. A method of processing foodstuffs involves controlling temperature, relative humidity or both temperature and relative humidity of air in the room and drawing the air in the room vertically down past the foodstuffs until the foodstuffs are processed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid drying system where a cold-air drier and a desiccant drier are combined to increase drying efficiency (extent of dehumidification/power consumption), thereby shortening drying time and significantly reducing operation costs. The hybrid drying system includes a desiccant drier installed between an evaporator and a condenser and having an absorbing part configured to produce dry air from the cold-air dried air which has passed through the evaporator and a detaching part configured to supply recycled air heated by the condensation heat of the condenser as a recycling heat source; a heat exchanger configured to heat-exchange exterior air with recycled exhaust air with the recycled air to retrieve exhaust heat; and a control unit configured to simultaneously control a cold-air drying operation and a desiccant drying operation according to the humidity and temperature of the drying chamber.

Abstract: The drying method performs drying the honeycomb formed article by such an arrangement that superheated steam or mixed gas of steam and hot air, temperature and humidity of which is regulated so that wet-bulb temperature thereof becomes 70° C. or higher, is made to pass through the cells of the honeycomb formed article. The drying apparatus includes a steam supply unit that supplies the superheated steam, a buffer chamber that aligns the superheated steam supplied from the steam supply unit, an upper chamber disposed above the buffer chamber to locate the honeycomb formed article, and a hood unit that recovers the superheated steam which has passed through the honeycomb formed article.

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: 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 drying system for drying a coating applied to an article of manufacture. The drying system includes an enclosable booth having an interior for housing the article of manufacture. The system also includes an air source for blowing air into the booth, means for raising the temperature of the air before entry into the booth, means for lowering the temperature of the air before entry into the booth, means for raising the humidity of the air before entry into the booth, and means for lowering the humidity of the air before entry into the booth. In one embodiment there is included at least one distribution cone which includes a conical member having a plurality of openings formed along the axis thereof. The cones emit air across an article of manufacture within the booth.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid drying system where a cold-air drier and a desiccant drier are combined to increase drying efficiency (extent of dehumidification/power consumption), thereby shortening drying time and significantly reducing operation costs. The hybrid drying system includes a desiccant drier installed between an evaporator and a condenser and having an absorbing part configured to produce dry air from the cold-air dried air which has passed through the evaporator and a detaching part configured to supply recycled air heated by the condensation heat of the condenser as a recycling heat source ; a heat exchanger configured to heat-exchange exterior air with recycled exhaust air with the recycled air to retrieve exhaust heat; and a control unit configured to simultaneously control a cold-air drying operation and a desiccant drying operation according to the humidity and temperature of the drying chamber.

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: A method and apparatus for treating a commodity includes providing a sealed enclosure. A commodity is arranged in a plurality of layers spaced apart to provide ventilation areas between the layers. The commodity is further arranged in a plurality of rows having a space formed therebetween. A cover is positioned on a top surface and an exposed end surface of the rows or an exposed surface of an air handler to provide a seal. The air handler is positioned in communication with the space between the rows so as to move air along the space and through the ventilation areas, such that an even flow of air is achieved over the commodity. A catalytic heater/converter is provided for burning unburnt fuel and for depleting oxygen from the sealed enclosure during the heating of the commodity. A controller controls the air flowing through the ventilation areas and over the commodity.

Abstract: A laundry drying device having a washing drum; a moisture determining device to determine a moisture content of process air evacuated from the washing drum, wherein the moisture determining device has at least one temperature sensor; and a cooling body to cool the process air, wherein the cooling body has an inlet side, an outlet side, and an inlet for a medium that flows through the cooling body or that is located in the cooling body. A first temperature sensor is arranged behind the inlet of the cooling body; a second temperature sensor is arranged at the outlet side of the cooling body to measure an outlet temperature of the medium; and a third temperature sensor is arranged at the inlet side of the cooling body to measure an inlet temperature of the medium. The medium is the process air or a coolant.

Abstract: A grain drying system utilizing a geothermal loop to remove heat from the ground, and a heat pump to transfer the ground heat to air which is provided over grain to assist in the drying. The system is provided with a telescoping duct to allow more or less ambient air into the system to assist in the drying process, depending upon ambient temperature and humidity.

Abstract: A moisture indicator in an air flow drying process where hot gas is circulated over and around a granular material having an undesirable amount of moisture includes a detector located in the path of the exhaust gas to determine exhaust flow temperature, a valve control device associated with the temperature detector to control the percentage of hydrocarbon gas in the hot gas intake and an indicator connected to the valve control device. A display is associated with the indicator to display the percentage of hydrocarbon gas in the gas intake which indicates the amount of moisture in the granular material. The percentage of hydrocarbon gas needed in the intake is inversely proportional to the amount of moisture in the granular material. The percentage signals the loader operator whether the granular material loaded has an acceptable amount of moisture for successful operation of the drying process.

Abstract: An improved dryer (10) and drying methods are provided which increase overall dryer efficiency by maintaining substantially constant output air stream adiabatic saturation ratio and temperature values during the course of drying, notwithstanding the occurrence of upset conditions. The dryer (10) includes a dryer body (12), an input air heater assembly (14) including an air heater (32), and a control assembly (18). The dryer body (12) has a drying zone (30), with product inputs and outputs (20, 22) as well as an input (26) for a heated air stream and an output (28) for the cooled, moisture-laden output air stream. The dryer control assembly (18) includes temperature and humidity sensors (48, 50) coupled to controllers (54, 60) and a PLC (66). The controller (54) is coupled with an exhaust fan/damper unit (46) while controller (60) is connected with a fuel valve (36).

Abstract: An improved dryer (10) and drying methods are provided which increase overall dryer efficiency by maintaining substantially constant output air stream adiabatic saturation ratio and temperature values during the course of drying, notwithstanding the occurrence of upset conditions. The dryer (10) includes a dryer body (12), an input air heater assembly (14) including an air heater (32), and a control assembly (18). The dryer body (12) has a drying zone (30), with product inputs and outputs (20, 22) as well as an input (26) for a heated air stream and an output (28) for the cooled, moisture-laden output air stream. The dryer control assembly (18) includes temperature and humidity sensors (48, 50) coupled to controllers (54, 60) and a PLC (66). The controller (54) is coupled with an exhaust fan/damper unit (46) while controller (60) is connected with a fuel valve (36).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for drying plastic pellets utilizes a venturi air mover (20) in a recirculation loop communicating with a drying hopper (10) containing the plastic pellets. A portion of moist air flow in the recirculation loop is vented to the ambient atmosphere upstream of the venturi air mover. A conventional source of compressed air (16) is dried and supplied to the venturi air mover to provide the exclusive motive power for moving air through the recirculation loop.

Abstract: A method is provided for washing, drying, applying a curable coating, and effecting the cure of such coating on a variety of substrates, such as metal, for example steel, plastic and wood. A particularly effective drying procedure based on the generation of a dehumidified and filtered air stream directed substantially parallel to the wet substrate allows for a significant decrease in drying time while maintaining coating effectiveness.

Abstract: Very dry air is made for drying grain and other particulates. The air is dried by first cooling under pressure to remove moisture, then contacted with a drying device such as a vessel containing desiccant, then heated and released into a bed of particulates.

Abstract: Very dry air is made for drying grain and other particulates. The air is dried by first cooling under pressure to remove moisture, then contacted with a drying device such as a vessel containing desiccant, then heated and released into a bed of particulates.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing the dryness of clothing articles in a clothes dryer. In one embodiment, the clothes dryer uses a temperature sensor and a phase angle sensor to determine the dryness of the clothing articles as a function of the heated air temperature and the motor phase angle. In another embodiment the clothes dryer uses a humidity sensor to determine the dryness of the clothing articles as a function of the humidity of the heated air temperature. In a third embodiment the clothes dryer uses a temperature sensor, a phase angle sensor, and a humidity sensor to determine the dryness of the clothing articles as a function of the heated air temperature, the motor phase angle, and the humidity of the heated air temperature.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting the dryness of clothing articles in a clothes dryer. In one embodiment, the clothes dryer uses a temperature sensor, a phase angle sensor, and a humidity sensor to generate signal representations of the temperature of the clothing articles, the motor phase angle, and the humidity of the heated air in the duct, respectively. A controller receives the signal representations and determines a feature vector. A neural network uses the feature vector to predict a percentage of moisture content and a degree of dryness of the clothing articles in the clothes dryer. In another embodiment, the clothes dryer uses a combination of sensors to predict a percentage of moisture content and a degree of dryness of the clothing articles.

Abstract: An automated air filtration and drying system including an energy and environmental management system for controlling, monitoring and supervising the operation and performance of the air filtration and drying system, a capture apparatus for capturing and controlling overspray, and a drying control module for rapidly drying a coated article using a continuously filtered and dehumidified flow of recycled air.

Abstract: An automated air filtration and drying system diffusor is disclosed which includes at least one pair of parallel overlapping panels to balance a flow of air in a filtration and drying system. Aperatures are located in each of the panels. The aperatures of a second panel block the aperatures of the first panel. In a preferred embodiment, air flow generated by a rotary blower includes aperatures positioned in a rotary center of the panels with openings having a greater surface area than aperatures positioned on an exterior of the panels. A greater velocity is generated by air passing through aperatures having a smaller relative opening, thus balancing or equalizing the air flow.

Abstract: An automated air filtration and drying system including an energy and environmental management system for controlling, monitoring and supervising the operation and performance of the air filtration and drying system, a capture apparatus for capturing and controlling overspray, and a drying/curing control module for rapidly drying a painted article using a continuously filtered and dehumidified flow of recycled air.

Abstract: The device for eliminating humidity particularly from laundry includes a frame body having inside, in combination, a device for dehumidifying the air and a device for heating the dehumidified air to a selected temperature.

Abstract: A process for producing a flavor-rich tea from tea leaves is disclosed. It comprises the steps of: (a) plucking the tea leaves; (b) withering the tea leaves; (c) rolling the tea leaves; and (d) drying the tea leaves in a drying apparatus in a circulating air at a drying temperature in the range of from about 30.degree. C. to less than about 80.degree. C. while maintaining a relative humidity of the circulating air in the range about 1% to 30%, the drying apparatus comprising a dehumidifying device for dehumidifying air, a temperature-moisture controlling device, and a drying room. The tea made from this process is capable of being subsequently stored at room temperature and substantially retains flavor-producing volatile constituents. Optionally, the tea leaves after step (d) can be baked for a short time to produce a roasted flavor.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method is provided for removing microfouling from the tube side of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger on a more effective and efficient basis. The tube side of the heat exchanger is isolated and drained completely of surface water while it is still on-line. A source of low relative humidity air which is dry is provided. The low relative humidity air is passed through the tube side of the heat exchanger while there is still a heat load on the shell side of the heat exchanger. The surface water is re-introduced to the heat exchanger after the tube side of the heat exchanger has been dried so as to wash away and remove the dried out microfouling from the tube side of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Novel prosthetic nuclear implants for insertion into vertebral discs are prepared by dehydrating hydrated bulky hydrogel discs under specific conditions so as to reduce the water content as low as possible (down to about 10% by weight) but without distortion of the implants, without the formation of concavities and sharp edges, and without changing the shape of the hydrated implant.

Abstract: A new kind of teas named "dry fresh tea" is prepared by drying tea leaves in circulating air at low temperature and low humidity. Quality of teas is improved by preserving volatile flavors.

Abstract: Moist sewage sludge is dried in a sludge dryer having several zones. The initial moisture content of the sewage sludge may range up to 80% by weight, while the dried bulk material shall have a remainder moisture content of about 5% by weight. The drying gas temperature is maintained at a level up to 50.degree. C. to avoid activating additives that may be present in the sludge in the form of harmful substances to avoid the entry of these substances into the atmosphere. Furthere, the escape of processing air that has a noxious odor is avoided by passing the air through a deodorizer. The drying gas itself is reconditioned by reducing its moisture in a separate gas drying circuit from which the dried gas is again returned as a drying gas into the sludge dryer. A gas drying agent, such as a hygroscopic material is used in the gas dryer and the gas drying agent itself is regenerated by withdrawing moisture therefrom in a regenerating circuit.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for drying plastic pellets utilizes a venturi air mover (20) in a recirculation loop communicating with a drying hopper (10) containing the plastic pellets. A portion of moist air flow in the recirculation loop is vented to the ambient atmosphere upstream of the venturi air mover. A conventional source of compressed air (16) is dried and supplied to the venturi air mover to provide the exclusive motive power for moving air through the recirculation loop.