Abstract: A shelf structure for drying sacked matter is disclosed which is capable of uniformly and effectively drying particulate matter while leaving it charged in an air-permeable sack. The shelf structure comprises a hollow support and hollow shelf boards communicated with the hollow support and each having at least one carrier section for supporting sacked matter thereon. The shelf structure is airtightly constructed except the carrier section and vent ports to permit drying air to be forcedly introduced through the carrier section in the structure and discharged from the vent ports.

Abstract: A drying process and its apparatus utilizing a refrigeration cycle. The drying apparatus is constructed to interpose a heat exchanger between an evaporator and a heater so that air in a drying chamber may be dried and heated in a cycle of introducing hot air in the drying chamber into the heat exchanger to pre-cool hot air, guiding pre-cooled air to the evaporator to dry it due to dehumidification by cooling, introducing cooled and dried air into the heat exchanger again to increase the temperature, introducing the air to the heater to further heat it and returning dried and heated air to the interior of the drying chamber.