Abstract: A process for drying a wet material in a drying system includes supplying a current of heated gas to a dryer from a combustion chamber. The material is exposed to the current in the dryer. The dried material is separated from the current of heated gas. The current of heated gas is split into a first stream of heated gas and a second stream of heated gas after the dried material has been separated. The first stream of heated gas is introduced into the combustion chamber so that the first stream is further oxidized therein. A third stream of heated gas is removed from the combustion chamber. The third stream includes at least a portion of the first stream. The second stream of heated gas is introduced into the combustion chamber so that it makes up a portion of the current conveyed to the dryer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method to redirect airflow and enhance heat transfer using an oscillating baffle in a baking system. This apparatus and method allows for the improved efficiency of a cooling tunnel, while reducing the size of the tunnel. Several embodiments of the oscillating baffle have a first degree of freedom and a second degree of freedom which allows it to oscillate under the power of the airflow. The method employs the oscillating baffle to redirect and mix the airflow in order to enhance heat transfer in the cooling tunnel. The oscillating baffle is used for cooling, for heating, for enhancing the mixing of a multi-component air flow or redirecting an air flow in the baking system.

Abstract: An improved system is disclosed drying interior layers of sheathing by reducing moisture in narrow wall spaces, particularly between layers of sheathing and/or insulation board. The method involves inserting a special nozzle into a hole drilled into the wall. The nozzle has a depth gauge in the form of a shoulder, calibrated screw threads or other equivalent means to control the placement of a drying substance into the space without damaging the insulation board or blocking the outlet for the drying substance which may be warm, low humidity air.

Abstract: An exhaust particle and particulate containment system for a coffee roaster includes an exhaust duct for carrying exhaust coffee roasting by-products including air, gasses, smoke and chaff from the coffee roaster to a porous medium for separating chaff from the exhaust coffee roasting by-product flow and a filter for removing smoke particles from the exhaust coffee roasting by-product flow which passes through the porous medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying solid foodstuffs is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing in which a gas permeable conveyor carrying the foodstuffs is arranged. The housing is divided into at least one drying section and at least one cooling section near the discharge end of the conveyor. Each section comprises means for generating a flow of drying or cooling gas along the foodstuffs, perpendicular to the conveyor. After passing along the foodstuffs, the gas is recirculated to drying or cooling means arranged in each section. The foodstuffs are thus first heated and then cooled down, so that the temperature thereof at the discharge end is substantially equal to the temperature at which the foodstuffs are supplied. The drying and cooling means are arranged such, that the temperature of the foodstuffs does not exceed 40.degree. C., and that the foodstuffs leave the apparatus at a temperature of less than 5.degree. C.

Abstract: A heat transfer recording sheet producing apparatus and a roll shaft supplying apparatus. A web supplying unit supplies a web which is printed with end marks by a gravure printing unit. A drying unit dries the end marks, and then the web is wound onto a roll shaft in a sheet winding unit. The sheet winding unit is provided with roll shafts from the roll shaft supplying apparatus. After winding, a roll form is produced and is discharged to a discharge unit. The roll shaft supplying apparatus has a slit detecting unit to detect the presence or absence of a slit in a roll shaft and to detect the orientation of the roll shaft, and a gripping/turning unit operates on the roll shaft in response to a signal from the slit detecting unit. If a slit is detected and the orientation of the roll shaft is correct, the gripping/turning unit moves the roll shaft to a second discharge unit which supplies the roll shaft to the sheet winding unit.

Abstract: A apparatus for separating pieces of laundry, comprising a drum which is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and with an open front and an open rear, which drum is accommodated in a housing, in which the rear of the drum is almost closed off by a stationary wall, which is provided in the middle with an engaging opening in which engaging means for engaging and feeding through the pieces of laundry are arranged, and in that in the housing air conveying means are provided for transporting the pieces of laundry from the front to the rear of the drum. A method for separating pieces of laundry with the help of the apparatus according to the invention.

Abstract: In an apparatus for drying a moist material in a stream of drying gas the residence time is increased by inserting one or more perforated plates, above which fluidized particle layers are created, and through which a portion of the drying gas and material to be dried are passed, whereas the remaining part of the drying gas and material is by-passed said perforated plates. Improved drying capacity, heat economy and operational flexibility and decreased risk for heat damage of the material to be dried are obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drying hopper comprising, disposed in its lower position, a cone portion having diameters gradually decreasing toward a lower end thereof, in which a high temperature gas is injected toward powder descending in the cone portion to thereby dry the powder, wherein said drying hopper comprises a cone portion 11 having a slant, circular wall, said cone portion 11 having a plurality of vertically spaced rows of nozzles 20, formed through the circular wall, disposed at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction of the circular wall; a plurality of vertically spaced ring-like shells 21 fluidtightly attached to an external surface of the circular wall of the cone portion 11 with interstices therebetween in positions such that said plurality of rows of nozzles 20 are respectively, at gas inlets thereof, covered by said plurality of ring-like shells 21; and a plurality of gas feed pipes 22 respectively connected to said plurality of ring-like shells 21 in communicating relationship.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying solid foodstuffs is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a gas premeable conveyor belt, a plurality of heaters arranged under the conveyor belt. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of coolers. A cool gas is supplied to a first heater, heated and drawn through the conveyor belt by a first fan. The gas is transported back under the conveyor belt to a second heater, and then again drawn through the conveyor belt by a second fan. Thus, the gas is led through and along the conveyor belt along a corkscrew-shaped path against the direction of supply of the foodstuffs. As the gas is heated along its path, the gas temperature is lowest at the first location where the gas is drawn through the conveyor belt, which first location is nearest the discharge of the apparatus.

Abstract: An inside-out heating method provides efficient and economical heating of wet cement during the curing phase in building structures. Hollow building blocks and their cement joints may be heated by applying forced hot air injected at the base of the wall. The hot air rises up through the wall and out of the open end of the top course of block by the chimney effect of the hot air rising through the ducting created by the aligned vertical passageways in the hollow blocks. The hot air is distributed through the wall by a manifold and injection tubes which provide air ducting from a heat source, such as a forced air propane heater. Temporary holes are broken through a low level course of block to receive the hot air injection tubes. After the cement has fully dried, the injection tubes are removed and the temporary holes are filled in with cement.

Abstract: A method for drying the surface of a tool, particularly an injection molding tool, by feeding dry air from a drying device into a lower area of a chamber defined by a housing enclosing the tool. Moist air is removed from an upper area of the chamber and returned to the drying device, where moisture is removed from the air.

Abstract: In a process for drying material in a drying system, a first current of heated gas is supplied to a first dryer from a corresponding first combustion chamber. Material to be dried is exposed to the first current in the first dryer. The dried material is separated from the first current of heated gas. The first current of heated gas is split into a first stream of heated gas and a second stream of heated gas after the dried material has been separated. The first stream is introduced into the first combustion chamber so that the gas generated in the first combustion chamber and the first stream are combined to constitute the first current of heated gas. At least a portion of the second stream is introduced into the second combustion chamber. A second current of heated gas is supplied to a second dryer from the second combustion chamber. The portion of the second stream introduced into the second combustion chamber constitutes a portion of the second current.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for restrained paper drying in order to produce high performance paper with enhanced stiffness and, in the process, substantially improve paper properties and reduce fiber usage. The paper web is held in a restrained position on a fabric by air suction imposed from beneath the web and is of sufficient application to prevent shrinkage of the web. The web is simultaneously dried by high velocity, high temperature air or superheated steam. For improved finish properties, the wet paper web may be pressed onto a polished heated metal cylinder with restraint being imposed by gluing.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for drying a cylindrically-shaped substrate having a wet coating thereon which is oriented in a substantially vertical direction comprising directing a plurality of gas streams at a tangential angle against the substrate surface around the circumference of the substrate, wherein there is a plurality of imaginary lines on the substrate surface which are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the substrate, one imaginary line intersecting one gas stream, wherein each gas stream is directed upwards at an acute angle with the intersecting imaginary line, thereby reducing the gas pressure above a portion of the substrate surface which promotes drying of the coating.

Abstract: An improved slurry dryer of the type having a plurality of beater blades carried on a rotating shaft in a cylindrical housing, the improvement in combination therewith of a plurality of scraper blades mounted on at least one disk carried by the rotating shaft at the inlet end of the dryer for scraping the cylindrical side wall and the end wall to prevent the material entering the dryer from adhering and remaining on the side and end wall of the cylindrical housing. The scraper blades are replaceable and adjustable with respect to the side and end walls of the housing by slotted mounting to accommodate wear of the scraper blades. An air dam in the form of a radially extending disk is provided downstream of the scraper blade disks to direct drying air radially outward to impinge on the slurry material to be dried.

Abstract: The temperature of air to heat or cool a product (16, 18) is maintained constant at levels which respectively are substantially higher or lower than the goal temperatures at which the respective products are to be stressed. Controllers (68, 70)having temperature/time profiles (72, 74) control the velocity of this higher or lower temperature air, as supplied by closed loops (20, 22) from high and low temperature sources (24, 26) to the products in their environmental stress chambers (12, 14), or bypassed through bypass conduits (50, 52) to maintain or change the temperatures of the products. High and low temperature sources (24, 26) and the product stress chambers (12, 14) may be interconnected by a cross-over arrangement of branches (80, 82, 84 and 86) to economize energy for heating or cooling the air, and to enable both environmental chambers (12, 14) to be interchangeably used for stress heating or cooling and, thus, to avoid movement of a product for the same purpose.

Abstract: A chip bin for wood chips in a continuous digester system includes internal steaming that is controlled in response to both the interior temperature across the level of chips in the bin, and the level of chips in the bin, so as to substantially prevent cool, non-condensible gas-laden chips from accumulating at the top of the chip column in the bin, and to substantially prevent steam blow-through. The temperature probe used in the chip bin has a temperature sensing portion with a length of about ten to twenty feet instead of the conventional five foot length, and extends across the level of the chips to a position about five feet below the level of chips. Control of steam added to the bin is provided utilizing a controller which controls the position of one or more valves in one or more steam conduits, each valve having multiple open positions and a closed position.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a manifold 10 that is used in conjunction with a die attach cure station for providing a "quick cure" of the die mount adhesive, and for forcing contaminants away from the semiconductor die 33 surface. The manifold has an air put port 21 directly above the semiconductor die. Forced air is directed through the port. At each side of the forced port are vacuum ports 20,22 through which a vacuum is applied to draw air and heated die attach contaminants from the die surface. Air is also drawn from below and around the die mounting area to provide a stream of air that is drawn into the vacuum ports.

Abstract: The kiln system for drying green lumber to a predetermined moisture content according to the present invention includes a kiln chamber for enclosing a charge of lumber, a fan in upper portions of the kiln chamber above the stacks of lumber to circulate air through the kiln chamber and through the lumber in the kiln chamber and a first elongate fairing overlying and partially surrounding an upper corner of the charge of lumber. The elongate fairing controls the air flow from the fan in the upper portions of the chamber to increase the efficiency of the air flow and the drying process. For kiln chambers adapted to receive a charge of lumber consisting of a plurality of laterally spaced rectangular stacks of lumber, the elongate fairing preferably overlies and partially surrounds the outer upper corners of the outermost stacks of lumber.

Abstract: An industrial dryer for drying industrial materials, such as sludge, salt water, brines and the like. A transition plate which is slotted in a manner to cause hot gases flowing toward and through the slots to be immediately transformed into a free standing vortex on the downstream side of the transition plate. The vortex operates on the wet materials and the hot gases. Structure is provided to collect the water vapor created by the drying action. In a first embodiment, hot gases are created by the operation of a blower which directs air under pressure through a heater, then into and through the slotted transition plate. In a second embodiment, a resonating engine is used as a source of hot gases.

Abstract: In a banana ripening room, pallets of boxes of fruit are stacked in individual locations defined by a support structure, in two spaced apart rows separated by an aisle, and in two superimposed tires. The aisle defines a volume into which air is introduced under pressure by fans in an overhead space separated from the room by a false ceiling. All the gaps between adjacent pallets and structural members are sealed by rubber flaps, an efficient seal being obtained when boxes are used which are designed for use in pressurised ripening systems. The flaps are attached along one edge to structural members and free at their other edges to conform to the contours of the pallet loads, thereby ensuring that air can be cycled only through the pallet loads to lower pressure zones beyond the rows of pallets.

Abstract: A kiln system for drying green lumber to a predetermined moisture content according to the present invention includes a kiln chamber for enclosing a charge of lumber consisting of a number of laterally spaced rectangular solid stacks of lumber, a fan above the lumber for circulating air through the kiln chamber and through the lumber and a first elongate center bridging panel above the stacks of lumber and overlying each vertically extending air space defined between adjacent, laterally spaced stacks of lumber. The elongate center bridging panel includes a center portion having opposed side edges which extends laterally substantially across the air space. The center bridging panel also includes first and second side portions hingedly connected to the opposed edges of the center portion. The center bridging panel substantially prevents circulating air from rising above the stacks of lumber in the vertically extending air space.

Abstract: Apparatus for drying utensils comprises a chamber 1 and a gas-fired burner 20, such as a fully premixed burner, for firing into the chamber. Fans 30 blow air into the chamber and deflectors 31 direct air from the fans 30, via openings 43, to mix with the hot gaseous combustion products produced by the burner 20 to provide a hot mixture. A duct portion 7 directs the hot gaseous mixture from the chamber into a drying region 9 and over the utensils which pass through the drying region to be dried. The hot mixture is used to dry the utensils by direct contact.

Abstract: A refrigerated cargo bay such as a cargo bay of a refrigerated cargo transport in combination with a plurality of generally rectangular product support platforms. The product support platforms each have a generally rectangular upper panel and a plurality of spacers depending from the upper panel for spacing the upper panel from the floor of the cargo bay. The spacers are arranged in spaced apart locations and define passageways for air beneath the upper panel and above the floor between all of the four sides of the platform to permit the flow of air into any one of the sides between the upper panel and the floor and out all three of the other sides of the platform. The platforms are arranged in a side-by-side relationship on the floor of the cargo bay with adjacent sides of the platforms generally in engagement with one another such that air is permitted to flow under the upper panels between all platforms in substantially all directions parallel to the floor.