Abstract: A lint remover 10 is provided for removing lint from an air exhaust of a clothes dryer D. An enclosure 20 includes an inflow tube 60 delivering water into the enclosure 20. The inflow tube 60 is coupled to a clothes washer W used water discharge. The enclosure 20 includes a suction passage 80 which is oriented to utilize gravity to suck water within the enclosure 20 out through the suction passage 80, through an outflow tube 90 and into a water drainage system WD. The suction passage 80 is configured to always provide a pool P with a surface S within the enclosure 20. An inlet duct 40 directs dryer D exhaust air from the dryer D into the enclosure 20. An inlet vane 32 directs this dryer D exhaust air against the surface S of the pool P, causing lint within the dryer D exhaust air to be deposited within the pool P. An outlet duct 50 draws the dryer D exhaust air out of the enclosure 20. The pool P is refreshed with replacement water within the enclosure 20 every time the washer W drains water.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine is provided with a tank (2) for the recovery of liquids and a transfer conduit (3) which, by way of a first pump (4) disposed in the conduit, connects the lower portion of the tub (1) to the tank. The lower volume of the tank is connected by way of a suitable conduit (6) and a second pump (7) to a nozzle (8) that discharges into the hydraulic circuit (9) that feeds containers (10) for substances for the washing operation. The machine has one or more of the following properties. The feed pump (7) for the hydraulic distributor (9) and the feed pump (12) for the condenser (11) are replaced by a single pump (17) and by a two-way directional control valve (18) which alternatively feeds respective conduits that feed into the hydraulic distributor and into the condenser. The discharge pump (20) and the transfer pump (4) are replaced by a single pump followed by a further directional control valve (21) which alternatively feeds the transfer conduit or the discharge.

Abstract: A vacuum aspirator apparatus uses circulating water from a reservoir while avoiding or reducing temperature rise in the circulating water. The apparatus consists of a reservoir with aspiration and cooling circuits, both of which are external to the reservoir, the aspiration circuit containing one or more aspirators with vacuum ports at which a vacuum can be drawn.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that comprises a self-stacking spiral conveyor that traverses through a circulating atmosphere. The atmosphere is manipulated by one or more chambers having an open side adjacent to the perforated sides of the spiral conveyor. Additional control over the circulating atmosphere may be achieved by injection or ejection of gas into one or more chambers.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying substrates such as wafers while contacting IPA vapor with them to remove that solution, which adheres to them when they are washed, includes a vessel in which IPA is stored, a unit for supplying the IPA into the vessel, a unit for draining the IPA from the vessel, heater block arranged contactable with the underside of the vessel to heat the IPA in the vessel by heat conduction, a boat elevator for positioning the substrates in a steam existing space in which steam generated from the heated process solution and a water cooling system arranged in the vessel to exchanged heat between the IPA and cooling water so as to cool the IPA, which is to be drained from the vessel, by the cooling water.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for removing impurities from gases such as flue gases. A liquified gas such as nitrogen is introduced into direct contact with the gases to be cleaned of impurities concurrent with the introduction of a sorbent powder for cooling the gas to a temperature in the range of 60.degree. C. to -20.degree. C. and with nucleation precipitation and condensation of heavy metals, salts, acids and hydrocarbons onto the sorbent. A porous and permeable bed of said sorbent is formed through which the gases are drawn for absorption and adsorption of said precipitated and condensed material thereon. The pH of the sorbent is adjusted and maintained in the pH range of 9 to 11.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that comprises a self-stacking spiral conveyor that traverses through a circulating atmosphere. The atmosphere is manipulated by one or more chambers having an open side adjacent to the perforated sides of the spiral conveyor. Additional control over the circulating atmosphere may be achieved by injection or ejection of gas into one or more chambers.

Abstract: A device for drying articles such as semiconductor wafers comprising a vacuum process chamber for holding articles to be dried; a vapor generator substantially isolated from the process chamber for supplying a substance such as isopropyl alcohol in vapor form to the process chamber; a heater for heating the walls of the process chamber to discourage the substance vapor from condensing on the inside walls of the process chamber. The device can also be used for rinsing and cleansing articles prior to drying.

Abstract: A chemical vapor trap for selectively removing harmful corrosive contaminants, such as water and acetic acid vapors, from an evacuating vapor phase in a vacuum drying system is provided. The chemical vapor trap includes a condenser section effective to convert a high temperature incoming heated sample liquids and heated vapor phase into a liquid phase condensate and a relatively lower room temperature stripped vapor phase. Liquid condensate including water and acetic acid are trapped below a chemical blanket or sealing layer which prevents re-vaporization or boiling of removed corrosive volatile contaminants from the vapor phase entering the vacuum pumps, promoting improved pump performance and extend pump service life.

Abstract: The removal of organics and volatile metals from soils using thermal desorption comprises moving contaminated materials, positioned on a belt conveyor, through a chamber under oxygen conditions, temperature conditions, and residence time effective to substantially avoid incineration of the contaminants. The method further comprises heating the contaminated material for volatilizing the contaminants and for producing a processed material that is substantially decontaminated. To carry the volatilized contaminants from the chamber, a transport gas may be passed through the chamber counter-current to the movement of the contaminated material. A gas stream including the volatilized contaminants and the transport gas may be passed through a condenser and through a scrubber for producing a substantially cleaned gas and a contaminated liquid concentrate. The cleaned gas may be recycled back into the chamber as the transport gas or passed through a gas cleaning system prior to discharge into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A device for drying articles such as semiconductor wafers comprising a vacuum process chamber for holding articles to be dried; a vapor generator substantially isolated from the process chamber for supplying a substance such as isopropyl alcohol in vapor form to the process chamber; a heater for heating the walls of the process chamber to discourage the substance vapor from condensing on the inside walls of the process chamber. The device can also be used for rinsing and cleansing articles prior to drying.

Abstract: A device for drying articles such as semiconductor wafers comprising a vacuum process chamber for holding articles to be dried; a vapor generator substantially isolated from the process chamber for supplying a substance such as isopropyl alcohol in vapor form to the process chamber; a heater for heating the walls of the process chamber to discourage the substance vapor from condensing on the inside walls of the process chamber. The device can also be used for rinsing and cleansing articles prior to drying.

Abstract: A heat recovery unit for use to preheat fresh air with hot air produced in an industrial process, such as the hot air exhaust from a dryer of a pulp and paper mill. The recovery unit makes use of water circulating from one air/water heat exchanger tank to another air/water heat exchanger tank as heat transfer medium. Hot air whose heat is to be recovered at least in part, flows past a set of revolving discs of metal partially immersed in the water flowing in one of the heat exchanger tanks. The portions of the discs which are exposed to the hot air above the water level transfer the heat they recover to the flowing water. The water which is so heated passes into the other heat exchanger tank where it raises the temperature of an identical set of revolving discs which in turn heats a fresh air intake to provide warm air. The main advantage of this recovery unit is that the heat recovery conditions can be easily adjusted to fit any seasonal fresh air change.

Abstract: Process vapors are condensed and recovered by bubbling a vapor up through a bed of inert particulate material, immersed in a liquid. The particulate material is supported on a perforated member in a container, with a condensate collecting chamber at the bottom. The condensate collects below the liquid. The vapor is fed through a diffuser positioned below the bed and condensate can be recycled to backwash the bed. The liquid temperature is controlled, together with the liquid level, liquid pH and also vapor flow rate.

Abstract: An aqueous clay slurry 7 is partially dewatered by filtration to remove a first portion of water therefrom which is collected as the filtrate 71. The partially dewatered clay slurry 9 is then contacted with a hot drying gas 25 in a spray dryer 20 to remove an additional water therefrom which is entrained as water vapor in the drying gas 27 exhausted from the spray dryer. The drying gas 27 exhausted from the spray dryer 20 is contacted in a cooling tower 40 with cooling liquid 59 to cause at least a portion of the water vapor evaporated from the aqueous slurry to condense.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and a device for drying a paper web or the like, in which method a web (8) and a wire or felt (9) supporting it are subjected to a deairing treatment. The wet web (8) and the wire or felt (9) thus deaired the thereafter passed between two displaceable airtight surfaces of high heat conducting properties, between which surfaces the web (8) is enclosed in the drying zone over the whole width thereof. The surface making contact with the web (8) is heated and the surface making contact with the wire or felt (9) is cooled by liquid in order to condense the water evaporated from the web (8) into the wire or felt (9). The wire or felt (9) is separated from the dried web (8) after said surfaces and the water condensated is removed therefrom. In a drying process the surface making contact with the wire or felt (9) is formed by the outer surface of a cooled rotating metal cylinder (2).

Abstract: The system comprises a sequential set of heat exchangers, wherethrough a gaseous mixtures to be treated is forced to flow.An initial length of the set provides for the cooling of the mixture by means of a refrigerating system such that the condensable products are liquefied and recovered; thereafter, residual purified air is heated by the heat generated in the codenser of the refrigerating system operating as a heat pump.The system is specially useful for purifying the effluents of dry-cleaning plants utilizing chlorinated solvents.

Abstract: A novel tray drying chamber having a tray-truck is provided, wherein moist material supported on the trays supported on the tray-truck are dried by the gas circulation method. The tray-truck and the drying chamber proper are constructed to form a functional unit, wherein the chamber-walls temperature controllable chamber walls and functionally cooperate with the external parts of the tray-truck to define gas-conducting passageways.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating and drying articles including an evacuable drying chamber for heating therein articles by condensation heat of the vapor of a first liquid supplied to the drying chamber, a vacuum pump for evacuating the boiler, a first vapor condenser and a second vapor condenser connected betwen the drying chamber and the vacuum pump, a thin film evaporator for receiving condensate from the drying chamber in the form of the first liquid and a second liquid having a higher boiling point than the first liquid, the second liquid being obtained from the articles within the drying chamber, a condensate collecting container for receiving from the evaporator liquid condensate which is not evaporated in the evaporator, a pressure barrier arranged between the evaporator and the collecting container and a re-evaporator arranged between the pressure barrier and the collecting container.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for drying of materials such as wood chips or lacquers. A stream of hot gas is provided, the hot gas passes over the material to be dried, the now waste gas is removed from the material to be dried, the volatile substances are deposited from the waste gas and the deposited substances are moved to a collector location. Dust and similar materials can be also bonded during the depositing step. The deposited volatile substances can be removed by intermittent evaporation and/or sublimation and the volatile substances can be collected at a predetermined collector location, or by continuously washing out the volatile substances, or by compressing before cooling down and expanding after cooling down the volatile substances. Removing of deposited volatile substances may be triggered in response to a certain degree of dirtying or soiling and to passing predetermined threshold values of temperature and/or pressure and in accordance with a predetermined time plan, respectively.

Abstract: In an asphalt mixing plant, a portion of the heat used to vaporize water in the process of drying aggregate is recovered by conducting dryer exhaust gases through parallel ducts which extend serially through the aggregate cold feed bins. These parallel ducts are vertically elongated for optimum heat transfer and to avoid impeding aggregated flow. The ducts have vertically extending external fins for greater contact with the aggregate in the bins. They also have horizontally extending internal fins for improved heat transfer between the exhaust gases and the ducts. The ducts are peaked, and conforming protective caps are provided to prevent damage to the ducts during loading of the bins. Water injection is used to initiate condensation of water vapor in the exhaust gases.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying fabric and other materials comprises a vacuum chamber to contain the fabric, a condenser for condensing vapor generated from the fabric in the vaccum chamber, a heat exchanger in the vacuum chamber through which the condensate is passed and a heater for supplying heat to the condensate on its way from the condenser to the heat exchanger. Preferably the fabric is drawn continuously through the chamber through an inlet and an outlet both provided with vacuum seals.

Abstract: A dryer system for treating oily solids, such as oil based drilling mud cuttings, into dry and oil-free solids and a liquid which includes recovered oil values. The system is a continuous feed, high vacuum, low temperature, distillation unit. An indirect heat exchanger may also be employed. The dry solids can be discharged continuously through a water standpipe, venturi type eductor or other continuous solids discharge arrangement. The dry solids are oil-free sufficiently to allow discharge into public waters without a rainbow effect. The recovered liquid includes the oil base and chemicals in a state permitting reuse directly in formulation of additional amounts of the oil based drilling mud, or other employment such as a fuel for heating the distillation unit.In one embodiment, the present dryer system is especially useful for installation on offshore drilling platforms.

Abstract: A washing and drying machine comprises a perforate drum 14 rotatable with a liquid container 11 having, in its upper portion, a recess 12 in which is disposed a heat-register or heating element 18 and a reflector 13 providing for direct irradiation of the drum 14. Drain opening 20 from the container 11 connects to a condensor arrangement 17 supplied with cold water 23 and an impeller in the form of a turbine 27 serves to recirculate air from the opening 20 back to a heat-exchange space 30 in the recess 12, between the heating element 18 and the container 11, from which it emerges by way of nozzles 31 along the periphery of the reflector 13.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing moisture from a porous textile web. The web is passed sequentially through a plurality of drying regions, dividing each of the drying regions into an upper drying zone and a lower drying zone. Air is drawn through the traveling web by variable speed fans disposed in the drying regions, the air forced by each of the fans into an air passageway having fluid communication with all of the upper drying zones and separated into air channels by divider panels.

Abstract: The drying medium (T) is driven through the adsorbent (5) of the adsorption cell (1) in the same direction as the process medium (P). Initially it is ejected through an auxiliary output (19) and a device (26) for removal of dampness and then is changed-over towards a main output (18) and preferably into the workroom (A).

Abstract: A dryer in which fabrics are dryed quickly and at low temperature by subjecting them to microwave energy in an atmosphere of reduced pressure. The microwave energy elevates the temperature of the water within the fabric to its boiling point, which is quite low because of the reduced pressure, and the water vapor which is released from the fabric is condensed external to the microwave field at the same reduced pressure. In one embodiment the dryer is formed as a clothes dryer wherein the drying chamber is a spherical metallic vacuum vessel; the microwave energy is supplied by a solid state microwave array within the drying chamber; water vapor is condensed by a spray condenser external to the drying chamber; and reduced pressure is obtained by a water jet exhauster, which functions in part as a condenser. Drying time is accelerated by warming the lower surface of the drying chamber with hot water, and a jet of air fluffs the fabric after drying.

Abstract: An improved cloth-handling machine in which the energy input necessary for evaporating and conducting away water from clothes being dried is minimized. The machine is a tumbler drying or a combination washing/drying machine and includes a casing having a radiant heater disposed adjacent a reflector in its upper portion adapted to heat a tumbler drum rotatably mounted within the casing. Air is withdrawn from the drum and moisture is condensed from the air which is then recirculated back to the interior of the drum. A condenser arrangement, positioned outside the casing, is comprised of an air turbulator portion connected to a drain opening at the bottom of the casing. A spray or mist of cooling water is supplied by way of a nozzle 22 mounted between the turbulator and the drain opening. The turbulator is followed by a filter and a tranquillizing duct leading through a sump to a pump having a syphon-type outlet.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to the vapor condensation heating of articles to an elevated temperature so as to perform, for example, a soldering, brazing or fusing operation thereon, without requiring the immersion of the articles within the heat transfer liquid-generated body of hot saturated vapor. This is accomplished in accordance with several methods and apparatus which allow the saturated body of vapor to controllably rise to and heat only a selected underside surface area (or areas) of each article, in succession, while minimizing the loss of any vapor to the atmosphere at all times.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for removing ammonia from fabric which has been previously treated with liquid ammonia, by subjecting the fabric to a solution of water saturated with ammonia maintained at a temperature level high enough to vaporize ammonia in the fabric without requiring commercially uneconomical input of heat energy. Subsequent steps remove the remainder of the ammonia and water trapped in the fabric, the system providing essentially complete recovery of all ammonia at substantially reduced heat energy expenditure.

Abstract: An improved combination washer-dryer comprised of an inner and outer container which are spaced apart so as to form a condensation chamber therebetween. A cooling medium and moist air withdrawn from the inner drying container are simultaneously forced through that chamber which cools the air and causes moisture contained therein to be condensed and thus separatable from the air. Additional condensation and water separators can be employed to further treat the circulating air prior to that air being reheated and returned to the inner drying container.

Abstract: A moisture remover for produce is preferably installed in an enclosure within which a produce support such as a foraminous conveyor is installed. A fan takes heated air from a heater and discharges the heated air upwardly through the conveyor and then through the produce itself. Air leaving the produce returns to the air heater for reheating and recirculation by the fan. Moisture from the produce rises and travels to a cooler within the enclosure and condenses on the cooler. There is no air circulation through the cooler. Moisture condensed on the cooler is drained from the cooler and preferably is discharged outside the enclosure and is not reevaporated into the recirculating heated air.

Abstract: A drum-type drier for fabric in which the drying drum has a perforated periphery and is mounted in a housing for rotation about a horizontal axis. The housing has, opposite an end wall of the drum, at least one door or flap. The fabric web is guided over the periphery of the drum. According to the invention, the cooler for the drying gas, generally air, is mounted within the housing on this door or flap.

Abstract: An improved combination washer-dryer comprised of an inner and outer container which are spaced apart so as to form a condensation chamber therebetween. A cooling medium and moist air withdrawn from the inner drying container are simultaneously forced through that chamber which cools the air and causes moisture contained therein to be condensed and thus separatable from the air. Additional condensation and water separators can be employed to further treat the circulating air prior to that air being reheated and returned to the inner drying container.

Abstract: A method for removing water from the surface of workpieces, particularly, glass workpieces, by dipping the workpieces into a boiling dewatering bath composed of an organic solvent which is immiscible with water and which contains surface active agents, and subsequently rinsing the workpiece in one or more baths of the pure organic solvent in order to remove the surface active agent. The subsequent rinsing baths may be boiling or at ambient temperature and vapors therefrom as well as from the initial dewatering bath are condensed and collected.An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Petroleum solvent vapors which discharge from a dry cleaning dryer in a heated gaseous mixture of vapors and air are condensed and recovered, and heat energy is recovered for productive use elsewhere. The gaseous mixture of vapors and air is sprayed with relatively cool water to condense the solvent vapors. The resulting liquid mixture of water and solvent is withdrawn from the spray chamber and is subjected to gravitational separation. Water reclaimed in the separation process is reused in the spray chamber. Recovered solvent is reused in a dry cleaning washer. The gravitational separation process is preferably carried out in a series of gravitational separators, and heat is withdrawn from at least one of the separation units for productive use in a heat consuming device.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is addressed to a method and means of dry cooling bluk material within a closed system in which said material is usually supplied intermittently to a cooling station. The method comprises directing a substantially continuous stream of cooling gas through the bulk material to thereby cool it and at the same time heat the stream of cooling gas. The heated stream of cooling gas is removed from the bulk material and directed through a mixing zone where it is mixed with a stream of cold cooling gas. Preferably, the hot mixed gas is cleaned and thereafter cooled by passage through a heat exchanger means. A selected portion of the cold cooling gas is diverted from the main stream to the mixing zone for mixing with the heated stream from the bulk material. The nondiverted portion of the cold cooling gas is directed to and through the bulk material.

Abstract: Solvent is vaporized from a work product as the product moves through a process which may be a heated chamber. The vaporized solvent is withdrawn from the chamber and passed through a chiller to recover a portion of the vapor. The output from the chiller is then passed through an adsorber to remove the remainder of the solvent.

Abstract: Condenser apparatus for removing moisture from the air including a housing for the condenser apparatus, which housing has both a cooling liquid inlet and an air inlet at one end. Within the housing is a condensing chamber and a rotatable disc spaced inwardly from the liquid inlet so that when the disc is rotated and liquid is impinged upon the disc a cooling liquid droplet cloud is produced in the condensing chamber. At the opposite end of the condenser housing from the inlet is an air outlet and a concentrically positioned rotatable blower. Located between the blower and the rotatable disc is a rotatable liquid droplet interceptor wheel for collecting entrained liquid droplets before they pass into the blower and depositing them into an underlying bath. Circumferentially around the interceptor wheel is a liquid pump that removes liquid from the condenser apparatus. An electric motor is utilized for rotatably driving all of the rotating elements.