Abstract: An apparatus for dehumidifying air includes a first air path having a first opening, a second opening, and a first desiccant mass intermediate the first and second opening, a second air path, having a first opening, a second opening, and a second desiccant mass intermediate the first and second opening, and an apparatus for causing air selectively from either the first air path or the second air path to flow to an outlet of the apparatus, wherein the ratio of the weight of each of the desiccant masses to the air flow rate into the apparatus outlet is about 1 pound of desiccant for each 10 to 20 cubic feet per minute of air flow. A controller adjusts regeneration heating times based on detected dew point before switching between air paths and detected temperature after switching air paths.

Abstract: A method for drying articles flowing through a drying chamber by introducing heated air into the drying chamber. In normal steady-state operation, the inlet and outlet temperatures of the air are monitored, and the inlet temperature is maintained at a normal operating inlet temperature. When the inlet and outlet temperatures approach each other, a stoppage or reduction of the normal steady-state flow of the articles is indicated, in response to which the inlet temperature is reduced to an energy saving temperature. After the inlet temperature is reduced to the energy saving temperature, monitoring of the inlet and outlet temperatures continues. When the difference between the energy saving inlet temperature and the outlet temperature increases, resumption of the normal steady-state flow of the articles is indicated, and in response thereto the inlet temperature is increased from the energy saving temperature to the normal operating inlet temperature.