Abstract: A self-cleaning steambox including means for directing jets of cleaning fluid across the steambox faceplate to remove obstructing material from the steam holes.

Abstract: A vent bag for a clothes dryer is provided and consists of a pouch with an air filter at its distal end that is releasably secured on a vent pipe of the clothes dryer so that the air filter can catch lint coming out of the vent pipe and recirculate the warm moist exhausted air from the vent pipe for energy conservation.

Abstract: Hygroscopic powders, especially fat-containing milk products, are cooled by being fludized in cooling air. Dehumidification of the drying air is omitted and overdrying prior to cooling to compensate powder rehumidification during cooling is avoided by using a closed cycle cooling in which the spent cooling air after efficient dust removal and re-cooling is used as cooling and fluidizing air. Substantial energy savings are achieved while product quality is maintained or improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension heat exchanger for heat exchange between gas and fines. It contains a plurality of cyclone separators which lie one above another with their axes aligned vertically and in which the cover walls and the inlet pipe connections of the substantially straight upper parts of the cyclones are inclined at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal. This contributes to a particularly simple and space-saving overall construction and to a favourable material separation with relatively low pressure loss.

Abstract: A material dryer, especially for bulk material, includes a single entrance pressurized drum housing and an endless conveyor for passing the material through the drum housing. The conveyor may include a screen belt. The housing and the dryer components in the housing are divided into identical modular units, except for the entrance and discharge units. Each modular unit includes a tubular housing section, a conveyor section, and a treatment medium handling section for circulating and heating the drying medium such as super-heated steam. The heating and circulating of the treatment medium is individually controllable in each modular unit. The entrance unit is equipped with conveyor belt guides and with a sealed material supply device. The discharge unit is equipped with a belt drive and with a sealed material discharge device.

Abstract: An air actuated lint removing system for cleaning lint filters in clothes dryers includes means for moving the lint filter and an air flow directing means with respect to one another to remove accumulated lint, and lint transporting means to move the lint to a lint collection reservoir.

Abstract: A dryer having a cylindrical lint screen connected to and extending from the rear of a rotating clothes drum. The drum is defined by a circumferential wall having perforations or air exit ports. A casing surrounds the drum thereby defining an air recirculation passageway from the perforations radially through the screen. Airborne lint is deposited on the screen as air passes therethrough en route to either the drum air inlet or the exhaust outlet. The lint is incinerated as the screen rotates past the drying air heat source.

Abstract: A lint and raveling collector for a clothes dryer is installed on the side of the rotating drum. The lint and raveling collector has a lint and raveling filter and a lint and raveling collecting box. The lint and raveling filter has a net-like filter member, and ribs provided on the surface of the net-like filter member to prevent friction between the filter member and the clothing. The collecting box has an opening formed at its portion facing the ribs. The collecting box covers the lint and raveling filter in such a manner that a space for accumulating the lint and raveling is defined between the lint and raveling filter and the inner wall of the whole portion of the collecting box except for the opening portion. By provision of the ribs, the lint and raveling can not pass through the interstices of the filter member, and clothing is prevented from directly rubbing against the surface of the filter member.

Abstract: A roasting chamber for roasting green coffee beans with a heated air current flowing from a lower air inlet region to an upper air outlet region of the roasting chamber, includes a roasting-waste settling chamber disposed in the air outlet region, the settling chamber being in the form of a substantially horizontal annular receiving trough having a substantially vertical central air inlet opening formed therein, an air-permeable and coffee-waste particle-impermeable filter covering the receiving trough, and a supplemental cup-shaped trough disposed concentrically below the receiving trough, the cup-shaped trough having a larger diameter than the air inlet opening and having an edge region disposed at a distance from the receiving trough defining a radial air passage therebetween.

Abstract: A rotary cylinder calcining system for treating tacky materials with a propensity to adhere to the surfaces of handling apparatus. The system comprises a reciprocating means for freeing the cylinder calciner outlet from any blockages caused by adhering material.

Abstract: A commercial laundry dryer with a perforated drum for the laundry mounted in a housing to rotate on a horizontal axis and the drum is of the full width and length of the housing to maximize the load size for the floor space occupied by the housing. The fuel-fired burner is mounted below the drum and faces upward with a deflector preventing the flame from contacting the drum. The fan for circulating the drying air is mounted above the drum as are dampers for selectively causing the drying air to be recirculated to the burner and drum or exhausted after a single pass and a lint collecting and discharging arrangement. The drying air is introduced into the bottom of the drum at the center, passes upwardly through the laundry load and out through the top of the drum near the axial ends.

Abstract: A vertical media bed dust collector in which the media bed of a filter panel is rejuvenated when necessary by interrupting the gas flow through the panel, withdrawing the filter media from the panel, separating the agglomerated dust from the filter media, returning the filter media to the filter panel, and reestablishing the gas flow through the panel. The system further includes apparatus for removing collected dust from the separating and recirculating surfaces of the media handling apparatus and also from the remote face of the filter panels before the cleaned gas is allowed to pass out of the collector so that the cleaned gas is not recontaminated by small amounts of dust adhering to those surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for delivering a solvent in the liquid state to a surface to be cleaned. The volume of the solvent and the time interval during which it is applied to the surface are selected so that the solvent reaches the surface in the liquid state. In a preferred embodiment, the solvent is water which is sprayed at selected time intervals onto the lower surface of the distributor plate supporting a fluidized bed of glass batch material for preheating.

Abstract: Method for the removal of and prevention of formation of salt deposits in critical sections of a plant. The salt deposits, especially ammonium nitrate deposits, are treated with steam, supplied in such amounts that a water vapor pressure is established which is higher than the existing saturated vapor pressure above the salt deposits at the existing temperatures. The physical requirements for salt removal are hereby immediately established with resulting instantaneous cleaning of all surfaces coated by deposits, independent of where these deposits are located.The invention also relates to process equipment means for performing the method.

Abstract: Apparatus to supply steam to a paper sheet that passes by the apparatus from a leading edge to a trailing edge of the apparatus. The apparatus is adapted to be positioned adjacent the nip of two rolls and comprises a first header for steam and a first chamber to receive steam from the first header. Passages for steam are formed between the first header and the first chamber. An outlet in the first chamber permits steam to be forced against the paper sheet adjacent the leading edge of the apparatus to form a steam curtain to reduce the amount of air drawn under the apparatus by the paper sheet. A second chamber receives steam from the first header. There are passages for steam between the first header and the second chamber and outlets in the second chamber so that steam may be forced against the paper sheet to heat the sheet. The flow of steam along the length of the apparatus can be controlled.

Abstract: Indefinite strand yarn is steam and heat treated in an enclosure. The yarn travels in an indefinite length moving coil through a tunnel that extends through the enclosure, with steam being supplied to the enclosure and the exhaust pipes leading from adjacent the inlet and outlet of the tunnel to a blower for exhaust to the exterior of the enclosure. Periodically, the buildup of yarn filaments and partially solidified condensate on the interior surfaces are removed by spraying liquid solvent along such surfaces, preferably with nozzles that spray solid cones of liquid solvent axially down the various pipes and automatic timed controls for sequencing such spraying.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method for removing the fines that fall through the load run and accumulate on the return run of a foraminous, endless conveyor. In accordance with the invention, the fines are collected on the return run, conveyed on the load run to the discharge end of the conveyor and then passed through the conveyor at its discharge end.

Abstract: A device for producing solid aluminum chloride from gas containing gaseous aluminum chloride by means of a fluidized bed condenser. Between the inlet pipe for carrier gas and an outlet pipe for residual or waste gas there is a distributor plate with openings in the form of nozzles, at least one cooling facility, a feeding facility for the supply of gas containing gaseous aluminum chloride and a facility for drawing off the solid aluminum chloride. The outlet pipe for waste or residual gas is connected to the inlet pipe for carrier gas via a separator which separates out fine particulate aluminum chloride, which is then fed back to the bed to act as nuclei.

Abstract: Lint is automatically separated continuously from a dryer exhaust stream, rolled into string-like masses and released from a collecting screen where it is picked up by an auger conveyor and transported to a storage receptacle in compacted form.

Abstract: A method and ducting system for collection of hot exhaust gases from paint curing oven heaters is disclosed for heat energy recovery in which a large collector duct is extended above the paint curing oven and into which is drawn large volumes of slightly warmed air heated by radiation from the paint curing oven or from secondary warm air sources. The vent stack of each paint curing oven heater is extended into the interior of the collector duct, directing the hot exhaust gases into the center of the large volume air stream in order to cool the gases and allow the collection without the need for insulated collection ducting, thermal expansion joints or flow balancing dampers. The heated air volume is passed through the heat recovery exchanger unit prior to being exhausted to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An improved grain drying apparatus of the type having a bin with a perforated floor through which hot air is blown upward for grain drying purposes, and a rotary sweep assembly employing a wet grain distributing auger on its lag side and a dried grain retrieving auger on its lead side. One improvement includes an inclined elongate plate forming an overflow dam which extends along the floor on the lead side of the retrieving auger and which is connected to the sweep assembly for rotation therewith so as to build up the thickness of dried grain on the floor ahead of the retrieving auger to increase the resistance of the dried grain to the upward flow of hot air on the lead side such that a greater proportion of hot air will flow upwardly through the floor on the lag side through the wet grain being deposited thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning containers which comprises a head assembly securable to an opening in the container. The head assembly has means for introducing cleaning vapor into the container, means for removing condensate from adjacent the bottom of the container, and means which include a cooler for receiving vapor from the container.

Abstract: In treatment of aqueous solutions and suspensions of radioactive waste through a step of drying and pulverizing the aqueous solutions and suspensions and a successive step of compressing and solidifying the resulting powders of radioactive waste, a step of measuring a water content of the powders is provided between the step of drying and pulverizing and the step of compressing and solidifying. When the measured water content of the powders fails to satisfy a predetermined water content, the powders are eliminated from a system of the treatment without passing through the step of compressing and solidifying.

Abstract: An improved control system, especially for dryers, adapted to sample dryer air, in a sample taking circuit, determine the moisture content of said air, and control the flow of make-up air to the dryer and exhaust air from the dryer in response to said moisture content. Means are provided for reducing the temperature of the dryer air in the sample taking circuit to one that can be handled by a signal producing means responsive to sample air moisture content. The flow of dryer air through said circuit is maintained by an aspirator and compressor combination, the compressor being adapted to provide purge air to the circuit before and/or after periods of sample taking.

Abstract: Web-drying apparatus having a plane of lower blow boxes underlying the path of travel of the web to blow dry air against the undersurface of the web to support the same in closely-spaced relation to the blow box. Upper blow boxes are disposed on the upper side of the web closely adjacent the plane of travel of the web. The upper blow boxes are disposed in pairs extending diagonally across the full width of the web and terminating at opposite ends in fan chambers which are located in spaced locations along the sides of the path of travel of the web. The blow boxes in each pair diverge from the fan chamber, one extending forwardly and one extending rearwardly in the direction of the web travel to provide an angular space therebetween which provides free access to the web path and also to enable exhaust spent drying medium therethrough. The opposite ends of the blow boxes are closed in alternation.

Abstract: In the chamber of a fluidized bed reactor for processing powdered products, a pneumatic cleansing device is arranged which comprises at least one pipe member mounted to be movable parallel to a perforated powder supporting plate at a small distance from the upper side thereof and having nozzles for ejecting air or gas towards the supporting plate to remove depositions of material from the upper side thereof between the perforations in the plate through which a fluidization gas flows upwardly to form a fluidized powder layer overlying the plate. The cleansing device may comprise additional pipe members with nozzles for ejecting air or gas towards the side wall and ceiling of the chamber and may be constructed for use in a box-shaped chamber as well as a cylindrical chamber for fluidized bed reactors of the plug-flow or spray granulation types.

Abstract: A device for cleaning the nozzle openings of a floater oven having duct-like nozzles with rows of nozzle openings along their length. A main frame which may be disposed adjacent to the oven nozzles is provided as a support structure. A main carriage adapted to travel back and forth along the length of the main frame is slidably mounted on the frame. A set of brushes adapted to be driven in rotation are mounted on the main carriage so they may be positioned in contact with the nozzle openings to be cleaned. In operation, the main frame is located adjacent to an oven nozzle. The main carriage is transported along the main frame as the brushes are rotated. The brushes automatically clean the nozzle openings along the nozzle.

Abstract: A device for recirculating warm, moist air from a clothes dryer exhaust into a room is attached to the standard vent pipe of the dryer. The device comprises a length of corrugated, sheet aluminum tubing having a substantially right-angled bend. One end of the tubing is placed on the dryer vent pipe. The opposite end of the tubing beyond the bend extends parallel to the side of the dryer and slips into a double ply, nylon mesh, filter bag. The bag is releasably secured to the end of the tubing with a resilient band which seats within an annular recess formed at the end of the tubing. The tubing has an approximately elliptical profile beyond the right-angled bend so that the dryer can be located close to an upstanding wall for best floor space utilization. The nylon mesh prevents sticking by lint and other materials exhausted by the dryer for easy emptying.

Abstract: An anti-pollution grain drying apparatus comprising: a grain drying bin having a perforated floor through which hot air is blown upwardly for drying purposes; a rotary sweep mounted in the bin for counter-clockwise (CCW) sweep movement along the floor, during which its lag side continuously deposits wet grain as it rotates over the floor to form thereon a circular layer extending about 345.degree. clockwise (CW) from the lag side of the sweep to the lead side thereof while its lead side continuously retrieves dried grain from the adjacent end of said circular layer on the floor; and an anti-pollution suction system operative to remove air-borne dust, from the dried grain being retrieved along the lead side of the sweep, and direct it into outside equipment which separates the air and dust, captures the dust and discharges the clean air into the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: The apparatus disclosed comprises conduits connecting the outlets of a plurality of heating zones of wood dryers to a common stack through which the emissions from all of the zones are discharged to the atmosphere. The common stack and the conduits between the common stack and the outlets of the heating zones of the dryer or dryers are insulated to maintain the temperature of the gases and vapors coming from each zone reasonably close to the temperature of the heating zone. This result is a reduction in the opacity of the emissions to ten percent or less.

Abstract: A bin-like arrangement with a mesh near its bottom collects dust from near the doctor blade of a Yankee cylinder in a paper making machine; a trough-like arrangement having a sloping bottom at the lower end of the bin receives the dust, and a plurality of horizontal air jets are provided at different heights at different points along the trough to entrain and remove the accumulated dust, preferably through a suction outlet. The system greatly reduces the dust released to the adjacent environment, without interfering with normal doctor blade operation, and without interfering with normal handling of the separated paper.

Abstract: A device in a paper manufacturing machine is described for removal of maculature collecting underneath the paper web on rupture of the paper comprising a cloth alternatively stretched beneath the machine and removable at one end thereof by a wind up roller to remove and discharge the maculature from the machine and stretchable beneath the machine by wires connected to the other end of the cloth and to driving means.