Abstract: The present invention describes a method and an automatic system for recovering protein powder meal, crude and pure omega-3 oil and purified distilled water from a mixture of animal tissue processed in a filter-drier-reaction tank. Animal tissue, for example fish, and organic solvent are directly or indirectly fed into the filter-drier-reaction tank. The filter-drier-reaction tank mixes, heats, and separates solid and heavy liquid portions of the mixture, the organic solvents are automatically recycled back in to the system after distillation. The solid portion is retained in the filter-drier-reaction tank and baked. Solid protein powder product (the protein powder meal) is thus recovered.

Abstract: A vacuum drying apparatus and a method of manufacturing a display apparatus by using the same. A vacuum drying apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention includes a chamber having a space formed therein, a support unit that is installed in the chamber and on which a substrate coated with a treatment solution is stably placed, a gas injection unit that is connected to the chamber to inject a treatment gas into the chamber, a decompression unit that is connected to the chamber to decompress the chamber, and a gas sensing unit that is installed with at least one of the chamber and the decompression unit to detect gas generated during drying of the treatment solution.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a method for the treatment of a transport support (1) for the conveyance and storage of semiconductor substrates, with said support (1) possibly having first undergone a cleaning operation using a liquid. The method includes a treatment stage in which the transport support (1) is placed in a sealed chamber (4) connected to a vacuum pump (5) and said transport support (1) is subjected to the combined action of a subatmospheric pressure and infrared radiation to favor the removal of foreign bodies on the walls of the transport support (1). The invention also concerns a treatment station for a transport support (1) for implementation of the method.

Abstract: A method of controlling and enhancing the nucleation of product in a freeze dryer, wherein the product is maintained at a predetermined temperature and pressure in a chamber of the freeze dryer, and a predetermined volume of ice fog is created in a condenser chamber separate from the product chamber and connected thereto by a vapor port. The ice fog has a predetermined pressure that is greater than that of the product chamber, and is rapidly conveyed through the vapor port into the product chamber for even distribution therein to create uniform and rapid nucleation of the product in different areas of the product chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for quickly drying porous materials. A sealable chamber is connected to a cold trap which is connected to a vacuum pump. A sample is placed inside the sealable chamber. The vacuum pump is turned on and air is evacuated through the cold trap to the vacuum pump. An infrared lamp may be used to heat the chamber and sample therein directly or heated air may be allowed to enter the sealable chamber. Air may be drawn directly from the sealable chamber to the vacuum pump bypassing the cold trap. Various parameters may be used to determine if the drying process is complete, including the degree of vacuum achieved in the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for preserving wood product comprising, in one embodiment, a treatment space sealable in medium-tight manner; a vacuum pump connected to the treatment space; a steam source connected to the treatment space; a heating device which is in thermal contact with the treatment space; a dispenser for adding predetermined amounts of either a base or an acid to the treatment space; pH measuring device for determining the pH value of steam in the treatment space; and measuring and control equipment adapted to monitor at least the pH temperature and pressure inside the treatment space and to control the vacuum pump, the steam source and the heat source, and the pH by dispensing either a base or an acid. Also disclosed is a method for preserving wood. The preservation process has a relatively short process time, wherein a good preservation is realized while the mechanical strength of the wood is largely retained. The amount of waste wood material is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A freeze-dryer and method of controlling the same is provided. The disclosed freeze-dryer includes a chamber adapted to hold material or product to be freeze-dried; one or more depressurization orifices; a gas pressurization circuit having a source of gas to pressurize the chamber to a prescribed pressure; a depressurization circuit coupled to the chamber via the one or more orifices and having a depressurizing control valve; and a control unit adapted to pressurize the chamber with the source of gas and actuate the depressurizing control valve to depressurize the chamber upon command. The ratio of total depressurization orifice area to the chamber volume is preferably between about 6×10?2 and about 4×10?4 m2/m3.

Abstract: Device and method for lyophilizing a substance within the device and storing therein the lyophilized substance. The device defines a chamber for receiving therein the substance to be lyophilized, a penetrable and resealable portion of the device is penetrable or pierceable by a needle for filling the device with the substance, and a resulting hole therein is resealable by transmitting radiation from a radiation source thereon. A filter is connectable in fluid communication between an interior and exterior of the chamber for permitting fluid to flow therethrough in a direction from the interior to the exterior of the chamber, and for substantially preventing contaminants from flowing therethrough in a direction from the exterior to the interior of the chamber.

Abstract: A textile articles dryer provides a chassis or housing supporting a rotating drum. A main air inlet enables air to enter the rotating drum. A main air outlet enables air to exit the rotating drum. A vacuum blower pulls a main airflow stream in between the main air inlet and the main air outlet. A heater is in communication with the main airflow stream for heating the air in the main flow stream. A controller maintains a generally constant vacuum in the rotating drum by lowering blower speed responsive to a blockage or near blockage of the main air outlet by one or more textile articles that are being dried.

Abstract: A lyophilization device configured for use in a lyophilization process has a body defining a chamber for receiving a liquid to be lyophilized, and a stopper creating a liquid-tight seal between the chamber and ambient atmosphere to form a sealed, empty sterile chamber. The stopper is adapted so that the chamber may be sterile filled with the substance through the stopper. A fluid passageway is formed through the stopper, through which the chamber is evacuated. The substance is lyophilized, the fluid passageway is closed, and the lyophilized substance is hermetically sealed within the chamber.

Abstract: Methods and devices of drying biological materials are described, including a desiccation chamber that may be used to dry biological materials while substantially preserving functional integrity of those materials. The desiccation devices and methods provide optimal conditions and ease of use for drying biological materials. The devices and methods provided here may be used to prepare biological materials for use in one or more of diagnostic, therapeutic, industrial, and research applications.

Abstract: A substrate treating apparatus for drying substrates by moving the substrates out of a treating liquid into a solvent atmosphere.

Abstract: A web converting process and apparatus employing a dry converting station and substrate-handling equipment for conveying the substrate through the dry converting station. The substrate is enveloped in the dry converting station by a close enclosure supplied with one or more streams of conditioned gas flowing at a rate sufficient to reduce materially the particle count in the close enclosure.

Abstract: A web coating process and apparatus employing a coating applicator, dryer or curing station and web-handling equipment for conveying the web past the coating applicator and through the dryer. The web is enclosed from at least the coating applicator to the dryer or curing station in a close-coupled enclosure or series of close-coupled enclosures supplied with one or more streams of conditioned gas flowing at a rate sufficient to reduce materially the particle count or change materially a physical property of interest in a close-coupled enclosure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to reduce or eliminate misalignment, wrinkles, and creases in coated web product. A relationship between web outgassing pressure and surface roughness of the web and web transporting rollers is developed. This relationship allows for the control over the web outgassing pressure. The ability to adjust the web tension pressure, as well as the selection of web transporting rollers with prescribed surface characteristics, allows an operator to control the degree to which the web floats over or tracks the web transporting roller. A controller, in response to pressure and tension sensors, can also provide dynamic, closed-loop control of the entire system.

Abstract: An etching processing apparatus 1 has a transfer chamber 2, a plurality of processing chambers 3 and 4, and a plurality of cassette chambers 7 and 8. Inside the transfer chamber 2, a transfer mechanism 14 is provided. A control device 17 pauses the operation of the vacuum pump 16 after closing an opening/closing valve 15 of a vacuum evacuating mechanism, which vacuum evacuates the transfer chamber 2 in which the transfer mechanism 14 is provided, when the operation of the transfer mechanism 14 is paused for a predetermined time or longer. Accordingly, conservation of energy becomes possible without causing decrease of productivity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to reduce or eliminate misalignment, wrinkles, and creases in coated web product. A relationship between web outgassing pressure and surface roughness of the web and web transporting rollers is developed. This relationship allows for the control over the web outgassing pressure. The ability to adjust the web tension pressure, as well as the selection of web transporting rollers with prescribed surface characteristics, allows an operator to control the degree to which the web floats over or tracks the web transporting roller. A controller, in response to pressure and tension sensors, can also provide dynamic, closed-loop control of the entire system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to reduce or eliminate misalignment, wrinkles, and creases in coated web product. A relationship between web outgassing pressure and surface roughness of the web and web transporting rollers is developed. This relationship allows for the control over the web outgassing pressure. The ability to adjust the web tension pressure, as well as the selection of web transporting rollers with prescribed surface characteristics, allows an operator to control the degree to which the web floats over or tracks the web transporting roller. A controller, in response to pressure and tension sensors, can also provide dynamic, closed-loop control of the entire system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of drying timbers loaded in a drying chamber, which comprises the steps of heating the drying chamber by a heating system up to a temperature of 80 to 100° C., subjecting the timbers to vacuum blowing by connecting the inside of the drying chamber with a vacuum chamber (receiver) evacuated by a rotary pump until the inside pressure of the drying chamber drops to 1 to 10 mmHg, disconnecting the inside of the drying chamber from the vacuum chamber, connecting the drying chamber with the atmosphere. When the inside of the drying chamber is connected with the vacuum chamber, the moisture content of the timbers is sharply reduced, so that their temperature sharply drops. Thereafter, when it is disconnected from the vacuum chamber, and connected with the atmosphere, the inside temperature of the drying chamber is again increased. Meanwhile, the heating system is worked during the whole process.

Abstract: A line for processing semiconductor wafers into integrated circuits (ICs) is provided with an input-output (I-O) chamber to help purge residual contamination from the wafers before they are transferred into a processing line. After a cassette containing semiconductor wafers is placed in the chamber, it is sealed from the line and from the atmosphere. Then a dry inert gas such as nitrogen is dispersed into the top of the chamber to form a covering blanket around the wafers to displace and sweep away contaminants such as air-borne particles, moisture and organic vapors. While the purge gas is flowing, gasses and residual contamination are exhausted from the bottom of the chamber at a relatively slow rate until an intermediate pressure level is reached at which pressure droplets of liquid from residual moisture and vapor can no longer condense. Then the flow of purge gas is stopped and the pressure within the chamber is relatively quickly reduced to a base operating value (e.g.

Abstract: A controller controls the temperature of a hot plate and the degree of vacuum in a tightly closed space to a temperature and a pressure at levels at which a thinner contained in a resist applied to a wafer volatilizes and an acid generator, a quencher, and a polymer chain protecting group practically remain in the resist, for example, during heat processing. More specifically, the controller controls the temperature of the hot plate and the degree of vacuum in the tightly closed space to bring the temperature of the hot plate to about 40° C., and the degree of vacuum in the tightly closed space to approximately 5 Torr. Thereby, the heat processing can be performed for the wafer so that the acid generator is uniformly dispersed in the resist, or the quencher is uniformly formed on the front face of the resist without breakage of the polymer chain protecting group.

Abstract: A vacuum processing chamber preventing corrosion of a magnetic seal means and removing the heavy metals, organic matter, etc. produced by the corrosion, including a vacuum processing chamber, a rotated member (for example, a susceptor and a wafer holder), a rotary shaft penetrating one side of the vacuum chamber and rotating the rotated member, and a cavity being defined between an inner wall of the magnetic seal means and the rotary shaft, said magnetic seal means maintaining the air-tightness in the vacuum processing chamber by using a magnetic fluid in the cavity; a gas inlet introducing a barrier gas (for example, an inert gas like N2, Ar, or He or an inert gas having a slight amount of O2 added) to the cavity; and a gas outlet extracting a gas inside the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and process for transporting flat objects confined in a specific atmosphere. The device comprises at least one assembly provided with several thin, flat cells (31) that open onto a lateral face (33) of said assembly with the cells arranged in parallel and linked by the same ventilation system. Each cell is constructed to receive a flat object (10) and is closed by an independent door (33). The cells are arranged in tandem and the device includes assembly means for interlocking an upper cell to an adjacent lower cell in each successive pair and in a complementary arrangement.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuous drying of moist materials in superheated steam comprises a drying enclosure 10, open-ended inlet and outlet ducts 11, 12 communicating with the enclosure, and conveyors 13, 14, 15 for conveying the material to be dried along the inlet duct, through the enclosure and along the outlet duct. Superheated steam is generated in the enclosure from the moisture in the material 19 being dried by circulating the initial gas within the enclosure between a heat source 23 and the material, and/or by the injection into the enclosure of superheated steam from an external source. The inlet duct 11 and outlet duct 12 both extend downwardly from the enclosure 10 and a vent duct 22 from the enclosure has an outlet 26 normally at a level midway along the two ducts. In use, superheated steam tending to pass downwardly along the ducts meets external air tending to pass upwardly along the ducts and forms within each duct a temperature and density differential stratification layer 21.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for a strip of material or web, including a conditioning zone immediately following but fully integrated with the dryer, to lower the bulk temperature of web. The web of material can be introduced to conditioned air which is substantially free of contaminants being evolved from the coating on the web. The temperature of the conditioned air is low enough to absorb heat from the web, effectively lowering the solvent evaporation rate, and can be controlled such that it is greater than the dew point of the contaminants being evolved from the web, thereby mitigating condensation that normally forms and visible vapors that form outside of the dryer enclosure. Pressure control is provided in the conditioning zone so that solvent vapors will not escape and so that ambient make-up air can be regulated as required. Gas seal between the conditioning zone and the dryer prevents hot, solvent vapor laden air from the dryer from escaping into the conditioning zone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for delivering hygroscopic, corrosive chemicals such as hydrogen chloride from a source such as a tube trailer to a use point such as a semiconductor fabrication tool minimizing infiltration of moisture, and entrainment of particulates, while still reducing moisture contents below 100 parts per billion and achieving appropriate pressure drops without two phase flow.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for delivering hygroscopic, corrosive chemicals such as hydrogen chloride from a source such as a tube trailer to a use point such as a semiconductor fabrication tool minimizing infiltration of moisture, and entrainment of particulates, while still reducing moisture contents below 100 parts per billion and achieving appropriate pressure drops without two phase flow.

Abstract: A low pressure dryer for granular or powdery material includes a plurality of hoppers rotatable about a common vertical axis serially among material filling and heating, vacuum drying and material discharge positions; pneumatic piston-cylinder means for rotating the hoppers about said axis among said filling and heating, vacuum drying and discharge positions; means for heating contents of a hopper at said filling and heating positions; means for sealing a hopper at said vacuum and drying positions; means for drawing vacuum within a hopper at said vacuum drying position and means for selectably permitting downward flow of dried granular or powdery material out of a hopper at said discharge position where said hoppers move collectively and unitarily one with another.