Abstract: A low impact belt dryer is presented for drying pellets while minimizing high-energy pellet collisions that may create pellet dust or cause pellets to fracture. The dryer includes a vacuum chamber having multiple air knife assemblies that direct high velocity drying fluid towards the pellets and though a liquid-permeable pellet-impermeable belt to a vacuum port. The low impact dryer may also include a centrifugal dryer for dewatering the pellets before they pass though the vacuum chamber. The conveyor belt of the dryer may transport the pellets through multiple desiccation chambers where low velocity air is directed upwards though the belt to both dry and levitate the pellets above the belt. The dryer may also include a cleaning chamber for removing debris from the liquid-permeable pellet-impermeable belt.

Abstract: The inner space of a drying tank 4 is made up of a mixing and drying zone MZ to mix and dry supplied material 3 by swirling the material 3 upward onto rotor blades 5 and pressing the material centrifugally against a heated cylindrical inner surface of the tank wall 2, and a drying zone DZ beneath the mixing and drying zone MZ. An upper screw conveyer 15, connected to the upper part of the mixing and drying zone MZ transfers material 3 out of the drying tank 4. A lower screw conveyer 13, connected to the bottom of the mixing and drying zone MZ transfers material received from the upper conveyor 15 through a vertical transfer pipe 17 back into the drying tank 4 along with new material to be dried. A discharge screw conveyer 21 is connected to the drying zone DZ to discharge out dried material continuously.

Abstract: A centrifugal dryer for the separation of pellet-like substances from process water including a housing, a rotor arranged in the housing and a screen surrounding the rotor at the peripheral side. The screen has at least one porous screen member which is placed in an arcuate manner around at least one screen carrier hoop and is releasably fastened thereto. The screen is composed of a plurality of screen members which mutually overlap in the peripheral direction and are clamped tight to the screen carrier hoop by one or more tension belts which wrap around the mutually overlapping screen members at the peripheral side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device (01) for dewatering and drying a mixture made of plastic granulate and water, having at least one mixture intake (02), through which the mixture is supplied to the device (01), having at least one water outlet (08), through which the precipitated water is removed from the device (01), having at least one granulate outlet (13), through which the dried granulate is removed from the device (01), the device (01) having a dewatering line (06), along which the mixture is dewatered, and the device (01) having a drying line (12), along which the dewatered granulate is dried.

Abstract: An embossed screen having raised deflector elements on the internal surface is provided for a centrifugal pellet dryer. The deflector screen is formed as an integral structure, eliminating the need for separate deflector components secured by fastening elements along with the associated risks such as loosening or separation of the strip and contaminate build-up between the strip and the screen. The embossed deflector screen effectively deflects the pellets back toward the rotor where the pellets are reengaged with rotor energy, resulting in increased dryer efficiency and flow rate. The embossed deflector screen also enhances the overall structural strength of the screen, reduces manufacturing costs and prevents pellet entrapment that can lead to contamination in future runs.

Abstract: A centrifugal dryer that has improved throughput capacity resulting from the combination of a high angle agglomerate catcher with optional overflow, increased dewatering capacity, a cylindrical dewatering feed chute, a modified rotor design with positionally and structurally modified lifters in the feed and dewatering section, the drying and propagating section, as well as the pellet discharge section, and an efficient circumferential foraminous membrane.

Abstract: A low impact belt dryer is presented for drying pellets while minimizing high-energy pellet collisions that may create pellet dust or cause pellets to fracture. The dryer includes a vacuum chamber having multiple air knife assemblies that direct high velocity drying fluid towards the pellets and though a liquid-permeable pellet-impermeable belt to a vacuum port. The low impact dryer may also include a centrifugal dryer for dewatering the pellets before they pass though the vacuum chamber. The conveyor belt of the dryer may transport the pellets through multiple desiccation chambers where low velocity air is directed upwards though the belt to both dry and levitate the pellets above the belt. The dryer may also include a cleaning chamber for removing debris from the liquid-permeable pellet-impermeable belt.

Abstract: A centrifugal pellet dryer (100) is shown having a dryer housing (110) with a top cover (115) and a pellet discharge port (132). A perforated rotating basket (112) is disposed within the dryer housing (110) is configured to rotate substantially about a rotational axis (R) to cause pellets to migrate from a closed portion (116) to an open portion (117) is substantially open to allow pellets to escape. A pellet slurry conduit (121) conveys a pellet slurry received at pellet slurry inlet port (118) through the top cover of the dryer housing (110) to the pellet slurry outlet port (120) disposed adjacent the closed portion of the rotating basket (112). A seal assembly (138) is mounted within the dryer housing (110) having water outlet opening and a motor shaft opening that is disposed to intersect the rotational axis, where the seal assembly permits the passage of pellets between the dryer housing and the seal assembly.

Abstract: A centrifugal dryer that has improved throughput capacity resulting from the combination of a high angle agglomerate catcher with optional overflow, increased dewatering capacity, a cylindrical dewatering feed chute, a modified rotor design with positionally and structurally modified lifters in the feed and dewatering section, the drying and propagating section, as well as the pellet discharge section, and an efficient circumferential foraminous membrane.

Abstract: A perfume-containing PIT emulsion which is suited to contribute to an excellent and long-lasting scenting of textiles during the use of a dryer. The PIT emulsion is simple for the user to handle and allows the user to better control the user's individual scent experience during the handling of textiles. The PIT emulsions can also be used for aroma therapy purposes and for the scenting of rooms. In addition, a kit made of detergents and the perfume-containing PIT emulsion, which enables the user to obtain optimal laundry scenting results.

Abstract: A device for recovering liquid droplets from a fluid flow stream including a rotatable element comprising wall elements configured to partially enclose a volume with an annular perimeter wall that includes an inside surface radially offset from and facing an axial center, a fixed base wall supports the rotatable element about the axial center, an input fluid conduit delivers the fluid flow stream into the fluid volume, means for rotating the rotatable element for generating a centrifugal force capable of forming a layer of liquid held by the centrifugal force against the inside surface, and an output liquid conduit disposed to collect liquid from the layer of liquid, wherein the layer of liquid rotates with the inside surface with a tangential velocity vector and the collection aperture is fixed in position opposed to the tangential velocity vector such that liquid in the layer of liquid enters the collection aperture.

Abstract: An embossed screen having raised deflector elements on the internal surface is provided for a centrifugal pellet dryer. The deflector screen is formed as an integral structure, eliminating the need for separate deflector components secured by fastening elements along with the associated risks such as loosening or separation of the strip and contaminate build-up between the strip and the screen. The embossed deflector screen effectively deflects the pellets back toward the rotor where the pellets are reengaged with rotor energy, resulting in increased dryer efficiency and flow rate. The embossed deflector screen also enhances the overall structural strength of the screen, reduces manufacturing costs and prevents pellet entrapment that can lead to contamination in future runs.

Abstract: A self-cleaning centrifugal dryer system and method for removing surface moisture allow complete removal of plastic pellets, flakes and particles from the dryer and water-conveying or water processing system during or after each drying cycle. By eliminating plastic particulate retention in the dryer and throughout the water conveyance and processing systems whereby contamination of different type materials dried during a subsequent drying cycle is avoided. Air and water alone or in combination under pressure are discharged toward various accumulation or occlusion (“hang-up”) points in the dryer and throughout the water-conveying or processing system to remove retained plastic pellets, flakes and particles.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a solids outlet assembly of a material dryer including attaching a plurality of pulse nozzles to at least one surface of the solids outlet assembly, accumulating a solid material onto the at least one surface thereby forming an accumulated solid, and actuating periodically the plurality of pulse nozzles to discharge air bursts that dislodge and remove the accumulated solid from the at least one surface is disclosed.

Abstract: A self-cleaning centrifugal pellet dryer and method for removing surface moisture from pellets and enabling complete removal of all pellets from the dryer after each drying cycle. By eliminating dried pellets retained in the dryer, contamination of different type pellets dried during a subsequent drying cycle is avoided. Air and water under pressure are discharged toward various pellet hang-up points in the dryer to remove retained pellets.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for drying articles such as clothing is provided. The drying apparatus includes a chamber for containing articles to be dried and a system for supplying heated dry air at a first temperature to the chamber. The air supplying system comprises an air flow pathway having an evaporator for removing moisture from air exiting the chamber and for decreasing the temperature of the air to below dew point temperature. The air supply system further has a condenser for increasing the temperature of the air exiting the evaporator to the first temperature. The drying apparatus further has a heat pump system having a refrigerant loop which includes a compressor, the condenser, a TEV valve, and the evaporator.

Abstract: A centrifugal pellet dryer including a stationary cylindrical screen, a driven elevating rotor in said screen elevating wet pellets inside the screen and imparting radial forces to the wet pellets to impact them against the interior of the screen to enable moisture on the pellets to be separated and discharged through the screen, a housing enclosing the screen and rotor and including an inlet for a slurry of pellets, an outlet for dried pellets and an outlet for water removed from the pellets. The side walls of the housing are constructed of a plurality of relatively large, flat panels made of plastic sheet material are supported in a metal framework to attenuate noise of the dryer produced by rotation of the drier rotor and impact of the wet pellets against the screen. A dewaterer in advance of the dryer also has walls made of plastic sheet material.

Abstract: A centrifugal dryer of the present invention includes: a chamber for performing drying processing for plural substrates; a cradle, installed inside chamber, and drying plural substrates by rotation driving in a state of being held therein; and an elastic wave sensor for detecting an elastic wave generating upon striking of a chip from plural substrates to said chamber during the processing therefor.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying a wafer includes a rotating chuck configured to rotate the wafer. A movable de-ionized water supply member and an organic solvent supply member are positioned adjacent a face of the wafer. The de-ionized water supply member supplies de-ionized water onto the wafer, and the organic solvent supply member has a plurality of solvent supply nozzles disposed to supply an organic solvent onto the wafer. The organic solvent supply member includes a first solvent supply member and a second solvent supply member. The de-ionized water supply member and the first solvent supply member move radially between a position adjacent the central portion of the wafer and the edge portion of the wafer.

Abstract: In order to create a solid-bow centrifuge for mechanical drainage and thermal drying of sludges, in which the possibility of clumping or of bake-on of the finely dispersed thick matter spun off from the thick matter outlet openings is minimized or prevented, according to the invention it is proposed to provide in the flight path of the spun off thick matter, a baffle cone surrounding the thick matter outlet openings at a distance and which rotates at a high circumferential velocity, that is, preferably it rotates together with the basket shell, and whose inner, ring-shaped, rotating conical surface accelerates the arriving thick matter and prevents solids bake-on.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rinsing and spin-drying a hydrophobic material such as a hydrophobic semiconductor wafer improves wafer drying while at the same time reduces the formation of residual contaminants on the dried surface of the wafer. This is accomplished by first establishing a safe-zone between a minimum rotational speed above which drying proceeds satisfactorily and a maximum rotational speed above which contaminants dry on the wafer's surface. A spin-rate profile can then be adopted such that the rinse/dry process proceeds within the safe zone.

Abstract: A deflector mounted on the internal surface of a cylindrical screen in a centrifugal pellet dryer. The deflector is one or more vertical strips mounted in spaced relation on the interior surface of the screen by bolting to mating mounting strips on the outside of the screen. The deflector strips deflect the pellets moving along the interior surface of the screen. The edge of the deflector strip facing the direction of movement of the circulating pellets is inclined to deflect the pellets back toward the rotor. In another form, the deflector strip has angled flanges with one flange clamped between outwardly extending vertical side edge flanges on the cylindrical screen. The other flange extends at an oblique angle to deflect the circulating pellets back toward the rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying a wafer includes a rotating chuck configured to rotate the wafer. A movable de-ionized water supply member and an organic solvent supply member are positioned adjacent a face of the wafer. The de-ionized water supply member supplies de-ionized water onto the wafer, and the organic solvent supply member has a plurality of solvent supply nozzles disposed to supply an organic solvent onto the wafer. The organic solvent supply member includes a first solvent supply member and a second solvent supply member. The de-ionized water supply member and the first solvent supply member move radially between a position adjacent the central portion of the wafer and the edge portion of the wafer.

Abstract: A centrifugal processor includes an elongated inlet and outlet in fluid communication with a rotor housing having an eccentric bowl. A rotor having fan blades and adapted to hold flat media is rotatably disposed within the rotor housing. An intake gate is pivotably mounted to the rotor housing to swing about the rotor into a closed position during a rinse mode and into an open position during a drying mode. The gate has a wedge that is designed to almost contact the rotor when the gate is in the open position for drying. The geometry of the elongated inlet, outlet, and eccentric bowl, in combination with the design of the rotor and that of the intake gate, work together to create a cross flow fan having a flow path across the flat media and one that exposes the flat media to large volumes of incoming air only once.

Abstract: A cleaning tool is used to remove residual paint from paint application devices such as paintbrushes and paint rollers. The tool uses at least two pliable extensions that extend from a base. Opposite to the extensions, a chuck adaptor is provided. A paintbrush is received by, and supported between, the extensions and a paint roller can be received by and supported over the distal ends of the extensions and a portion of the base. The chuck adaptor is secured within the chuck of a drill or spinner and rotated, preferably within a container of liquid solvent such as water or paint thinner. The pliable extensions not only flex to allow the brush handle to be inserted and removed from the tool, but during the rotation of the brush within the solvent, the extensions flex slightly to allow a translating rotation of the brush through the solvent, more completely cleaning the brush and doing so in a more expeditious manner.

Abstract: A wafer dryer for drying a wafer includes a chamber and a support adapted to support the wafer in the chamber. A spray nozzle is disposed in the chamber. A source gas supply tank is in fluid communication with the spray nozzle. At least one heater is operable to heat the chamber and the source gas supply tank. A pumping line is in fluid communication with the chamber. Drive means are operable to rotate the chamber and the spray nozzle. A method for drying a wafer using a wafer dryer including a chamber and a revolving spray nozzle includes the steps of: loading the wafer in the chamber; reducing the pressure in the chamber in which the wafer is loaded to a near vacuum state; creating a temperature controlled atmosphere in the pressure-reduced chamber to quicken drying of the wafer; and spraying the source gas on the wafer while rotating the chamber and the revolving spray nozzle in opposite directions in the pressure-reduced temperature controlled atmosphere.

Abstract: A centrifugal dryer (10) for removing surface moisture from pellets of resin material having a diameter generally ranging between approximately 0.015 to approximately 0.25 inches received from an underwater pelletizer. In one embodiment of the present invention, the dryer is constructed with smaller dimensions enabling it to effectively operate at low volume rates and be easily assembled and disassembled to facilitate cleaning and replacement or interchange of components with its overall size enabling it to be effectively used in small applications. In other embodiments of the present invention, the dryer is constructed with larger dimensions enabling it to effectively operate at high volume rates for use in commercial applications.

Abstract: Device and method for drying a pourable products. The device includes a rotor chamber in which a rotor is arranged with a vertical rotor axis. The rotor has a central horizontal surface and, at least in its radially outer third, a conical shell which is inclined to the axis of rotation by 20° to 70°, in such a way that the end face of the conical shell has the largest diameter and is located at the top. The conical shell has, at least partially, sheet-like gas passages in the form of perforations or screens. The method for drying pourable products provides for dry gas to be fed in a sheet like manner to the products to be dried during the radially peripheral circulation of the products without the products being swirled up and being exposed to unacceptable compressive, concussive and/or frictional loads.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flow disrupter within the flow path of a slurry comprising a desired particulate matter and a transport fluid so as to impart a force angularly disposed to an otherwise obtained direction of travel, thereby preventing the formation of a sheet of aggregated particulates against the screen surface. In a method in accord with the present invention a force is imparted to the desired particulate matter in an angular direction to the direction of travel.

Abstract: A paint applicator cleaning apparatus for allowing a user to easily clean painting tools such as slim jim sleeves, brushes and roller skins. The paint applicator cleaning apparatus includes a housing, which includes an outer shaft and an inner shaft. The inner shaft is rotatably coupled to the outer shaft, the outer shaft is designed for being gripped by a user. A drive assembly is slidably inserted through the inner shaft of the housing such that longitudinal movement of the drive assembly rotates the inner shaft. The drive assembly includes a handle that extends from the housing. The handle is designed for facilitating gripping of the drive assembly by a hand of the user. A first adapter assembly is slidably coupled to the inner shaft of the housing, the first adapter is designed for removably receiving a elongated roller cover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vane assembly for use in a drying apparatus comprising a drying chamber with a heating jacket which is used for drying moist material such as fish offal, food leftovers etc. The drying chamber is substantially cylindrical and has in the preferred embodiment a conical shape with a very small angle. In one embodiment the vane assembly can be employed in a substantially cylindrical drying chamber with straight side walls. The vane assembly is further suited for a drying chamber where the moist material is fed in at the bottom of the drying chamber, either from below, up through the bottom, or from above, through a pipe connection or the like down to the bottom of the chamber, with the result that the supply of the moist material is near the bottom of the drying chamber.

Abstract: A dryer for removing surface moisture from a pelletized product and more specifically a dryer which is constructed with dimensions enabling it to effectively centrifugally remove surface moisture from pellets of resin material received from an underwater pelletizer. The dryer is capable of operating at very low rates and easily cleaned with its overall size enabling it to be effectively used for small operations, especially laboratory applications.

Abstract: An improved support ring is disclosed for a polymer resin pellet dryer screen of the type which includes cylindrical screen sections interconnected by two semicircular bands forming a support ring or connecting band. The support ring is positioned in spaced relation to an exterior housing by brackets, and the screen encloses a driven bladed rotor for removing water from a slurry of water and pellets. The improved support ring comprises a two piece annular ring including a generally perpendicular, rigid flange attached to the exterior of a semicircular band pair. The flange rigidities the bands of the ring and supports the adjacent ends of the screen sections from the external housing to maintain the screen in cylindrical configuration and in concentric relation to the bladed rotor rotatably positioned within the screen.

Abstract: A dryer for processing semiconductor substrates which rotates a carrier containing the substrates within a housing in combination with a bubbler which heats and directs a gas containing a water tension reducing vapor to the housing to contact the substrates and thereby hasten drying, decrease water marking, and decrease contamination.

Abstract: A method of drying organic or inorganic material or a mixture thereof, said material containing a liquid or liquids, which comprises introducing said material interiorly of a rotating rotor carrying on its periphery oscillating rotor blades, said rotor rotating about the axis of a process chamber having an inner surface with substantially axially extending ribs, said rotating rotor causing the material introduced interiorly of said rotor to be propelled radially outwardly of said axis of rotation and to expel liquid or liquids from said materials, and the oscillating rotor blades and the opposing ribs causing vibrational forces and turbulence to be induced into the outwardly flowing liquid so as to form a mist. Apparatus for carrying out said method is also described.

Abstract: Improvements in centrifugal pellet dryers and more particularly to improvements in the rotor structure which includes a shaft, pellet lifter assemblies and supporting spiders which support the pellet lifter assemblies from the shaft. Each spider is made of a one-piece plate laser cut for strength, balance and simplicity. Mounting of the pellet lifter assemblies on the spider, and the spider on the shaft, are configured for easy assembly and maintenance.

Abstract: A centrifugal pellet dryer is provided which has a housing, a generally cylindrical mesh member vertically disposed within the housing and a rotor that is coaxial with the mesh member. The rotor has lifters which tend to move a slurry of pellets and water upwardly and outwardly relative to the cylindrical mesh member so that water moving radially through the mesh member is separated from the pellets which are retained by the mesh member. The rotor has a hollow interior portion that communicates with the bottom of the rotor so that the slurry of pellets of water are introduced into the dryer through the hollow interior of the rotating rotor. The slurry of pellets and water is distributed uniformly about the periphery of the mesh member by the rotating rotor and the rotation of the rotor enhances the centrifugal force of the slurry to initially dewater the slurry more effectively as the water moves radially outwardly through the mesh member.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in a drying apparatus comprising a cylindrical drying vessel, the inner wall surface of which makes up a heat-transmitting surface, a heat-generating means encircling the cylindrical drying vessel, and at least one rotating vane assembly rotatably fixed in the cylindrical drying vessel. The rotating vane assembly has vane sections, which leave between their circumferential edges and the heat-transmitting surface of the hollow cylinder an annular space small enough to allow wet material to cross and contact the heat-transmitting surface without falling therein. Each vane section extends obliquely upward in the direction which is opposite to the rotating direction, and the circumferential edge of each vane section extends less than 360 degrees as viewed from the top.

Abstract: In a spin-dryer having a rotor on which semiconductor wafers to be dryed are set, nitrogen gas is released at a low rate to enclose the rotor in a nitrogen gas atmosphere from the arrangement of the semiconductor wafers on the rotor until the start of the spinning of the rotor, and then at a relatively high rate from the start of the spinning of the rotor or from immediately before the start of the spinning, in order to dry the semiconductor wafers without oxidation. The downward flow of air into the rotor is prevented for a prset time period from the start of the spinning of the rotor or from immediately before the start of the spinning. Air is then caused to flow into the rotor after an elapse of the preset time period.

Abstract: A quantity of water deposited on sand particles is adjusted to a predetermined value by utilizing a method and apparatus disclosed having a hopper through which the sand particles to be treated are supplied. A velocity energy is imparted to the particles to project them in a predetermined direction, thereby causing the particles to collide against rotating drums. As a result of the collision, a portion of a quantity of water initially deposited on the particles is removed therefrom and transferred to the drums, which is thereafter separated from the drums by a centrifugal force created by rotation of the drums. A plurality of notches or slits may be formed to axially extend along the periphery of the drums so that the deposited water moving along the periphery will tend into contact with be separated therefrom when it comes to one of the notches or slits. An air jet stream passing through the respective slits to the outside will function to facilitate the water removal from the periphery of the drums.

Abstract: Lifter blades are mounted for rotation by a rotor assembly within a foraminous housing to centrifugally dry pellets impelled upwardly through the housing by the blades. Accumulation of pellets on the rotor is minimized by elimination of vertical entrapping surfaces in favor of spokes made of vertically positioned flat bars from which blade attachment arms extend at obtuse angles.

Abstract: The method and mechanism for thermally treating a slurry of material such as a magnesite hydrate wherein a kiln housing has an upper chamber portion and a lower chamber portion with spray nozzles in the roof of the upper chamber for directing a spray of slurry downwardly and a rotor with arms in the lower portion and separators forming a plurality of tiers in the lower portion with heated gases directed tangentially into the chamber at the base of the upper portion and additional gases directed into the lower portion with the heat treated material being drawn from the base of the chamber and evaporated moisture withdrawn from the top of the chamber, and dust separated from the moisture and reintroduced into the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for partially drying and feeding material from an external source into a drying mill is disclosed. A conduit comprising first and second wall members and having an annular cross-section substantially throughout its acial length is connected to one end of a receiving chamber. Means are provided for guiding the material to be dried from an external source into a receiving chamber and for depositing the material in an area within the receiving chamber which is substantially coaxial with the conduit. Hot gases are introduced into the receiving chamber and propelled into and along the annular conduit with a generally circumferentially cyclonic flow. As the gas proceeds through the conduit, it carries with it the material deposited in the receiving chamber and feeds it into a drying mill.