Abstract: A heat recovery system is disclosed for a pulse combustion drying system in which the exhaust gas of combustion from a pulse combustor passes successively through a dryer, a product collector and a scrubber. The heat of the exhaust gas is recovered in the scrubber by spraying with water or other liquid and transferring by heat exchange the heat absorbed by the water to compressed air, and passing the heated compressed air successively through a membrane heat exchange tube on the wall of the product collector and a membrane heat exchange tube on the wall of the dryer. The air is discharged finally in an air-injection nozzle of the pulse combustor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a continuously moving web carrying a liquid, wherein the web is passed through a dryer in which the web is exposed to a recirculating flow of heated drying gas. Exhaust gas is diverted and discharged from the recirculating gas flow at a flow rate which is variable between maximum and minimum levels, and makeup gas is added to the recirculating gas flow at a flow rate which is also variable between maximum and minimum levels. A process variable is sensed and compared to a selected set point. A first of the aforesaid flow rates is adjusted to maintain the process variable at the selected set point, and a second of the aforesaid flow rates is adjusted in response to adjustments to the first flow rate in order to insure that the first flow rate remains between its maximum and minimum levels.

Abstract: Web drying equipment, including a dryer through which a web passes, web drying nozzles within the dryer for directing heated air against the web, air supply header means in the dryer and in air delivering communication with the nozzles which discharge heated air toward the web for supporting and drying the web, an exhaust air duct extending from the interior of the dryer for conveying spent air therefrom. An exhaust flow rate control system is provided for controlling the rate of flow of the spent air from the dryer including (1) a valve in the exhaust duct for varying the rate of air flow from the dryer, (2) a controller for operating the valve, (3) a sensor located in the exhaust duct for measuring air pressure therein and for sending a corresponding signal to the controller, (4) a speed sensor for measuring the speed of the web passing through the dryer and sending a corresponding signal to the controller.

Abstract: A pressing and drying machine, of the type comprising an arcuate transverse trough and a hot fluid flow chamber disposed beneath the trough to evaporate the water, by boiling, from the wet fabric material characterized in that it increases the production rate drastically, i.e. the pressing speed, and comprises to this end a second chamber (5) with an air flow, which is forced perpendicularly upwardly through appropriate passages (8) opening into the trough (1), against the wet fabric materials (r), said forcing taking place while the fabric material (r) is being drawn along through the said trough (1) at the same time as the hot fluid of the first chamber is effecting the evaporating action thereof, the air supplied to the second chamber (5) being provided by air producing means driven by appropriate mechanisms or devices and may be hot air.

Abstract: An intermediate support plate (4) is located between the freeze-drying chamber and the condensation chamber and is equipped with a closeable port; in order to be able to properly adjust the orifice of the port it is formed by two discs (15, 18) that can be rotated relative to each other around a central axis of rotation. Each disc carries circular holes (21, 22) at a radial distance away from the axis of rotation and these holes are so located and designed that by rotating the discs a position of complete axial overlap, one of zero axial overlap and any position in between can be achieved.

Abstract: The product is frozen and freeze-dried in a freeze-drying apparatus (1) containing a freeze-drying chamber (2) with shelves (6) for performing the freeze-drying and a condenser (11), the cooling surfaces of which are formed by a coiled tube (14) in a number of tube coil turns (15), and where the low temperature created by the condenser (11) is used to freeze the product. To carry out the freezing quickly and simply the product is put into trays or dishes (21) and these trays or dishes are positioned on the tube turns (15) of the condenser (11) already in operation.

Abstract: A vacuum-assisted drying apparatus and method are provided for rapidly drying fabrics. A rotatable drum is enclosed in a nearly hermetic region. A valve is attached to an inlet of the region; a compressor is attached to an exit of the region. With the valve closed, the compressor reduces the pressure within the region to the saturated pressure of water at the temperature of the fabrics. At this point, free moisture in the fabrics evaporates. Continued operation of the compressor removes the vaporous moisture from the system. After most of the free water vapor has been depleted, the valve is opened to allow heated air to flow through the drum and to dry the remaining bound moisture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading and unloading freeze-drying apparatus including at least one placement surface adapted to receive containers holding a product to be freeze-dried. The containers are placed on a table top of a transfer table, and the transfer table is brought into proximity with the placement surface in a chamber of a freeze-drying apparatus. A retractable frame assembly, movably secured to the transfer table, is used to transfer the containers from the transfer table top to the placement surfaces. The frame assembly is retracted from the chamber, and the freeze-drying process may then be implemented. Upon completion of freeze-drying, the frame assembly is introduced into the chamber, and is actuated to transfer the containers from the placement surfaces to the transfer table.

Abstract: A portable grain bin comprises a wheeled frame in which the wheels are movable relative to the frame to sit the frame on the ground and thereby transfer the load of material in the bin to the ground. The bin is grossly asymmetric with a bottom discharge much closer to one end than to other. The bottom wall nearest the bottom discharge is very steep. The bottom wall opposite the bottom discharge is relatively shallow but still exceeds a normal angle of repose of grain placed in the bin. The bottom discharge includes an opening spanned by a series of stationary slats and a movable member comprising a frame having a series of complementary slats which selectively align with or are offset from the stationary slats. The grain bin is used with a batch type grain dryer to provide surge capacity in a harvesting operation.

Abstract: A domestic clothes dryer construction which increases dryer capacity by allowing the length of the drum to be increased while keeping the cabinet size the same. In the present invention, the single rear cabinet panel is used as a drum support, and in so doing, eliminates the separate rear bulkhead structure attached to the rear panel of the dryer in present day dryers.

Abstract: A flotation dryer nozzle in which respective outer narrow nozzle openings are formed at the edges of the side of the nozzle facing the web to be dried and respective wider nozzle openings are formed in the nozzle side facing the web inwardly of the narrow nozzle openings and in which respective pressure reduction regions are formed between the inside of the nozzle body and the wider nozzle openings.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for continuously cooling a hot printed traveling web in order to set the ink thereon. The apparatus and method include a frame and a chill roll rotatably mounted thereon having a peripheral surface. A pressure roll is rotatably mounted on the frame and has a pressure applying surface in contact with the chill roll peripheral surface to define a web receiving nip. The printed web is passed into the nip. Liquid coolant is applied to the peripheral surface of the pressure roll prior to its entering the web nip during which time the pressure roll is cooled. A metering roll is rotatably mounted on the frame to place its peripheral surface in contact with the pressure applying surface to define a metering nip. The pressure in the metering nip is adjusted so that only a predetermined amount of coolant liquid remains on the pressure roll peripheral surface for contact with the web.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method and apparatus for improving fluid flow and gas mixing in boilers. More particularly, this invention pertains to a method and apparatus for improved fluid flow and gas mixing in kraft recovery boilers for increased energy efficiency, reduced TRS emissions and increased capacity. The method of introducing air into a boiler furnace comprises: (a) introducing air through at least one opening located on at least a first wall of the interior of the furnace; and (b) introducing air through at least one second opening located on a second wall of the interior of the furnace opposed to the first wall at the same, or different, elevations.

Abstract: In a device for recuperating heat from a clothes drier, the combination of a heat exchanger with cross streams comprising a pack of facially opposed heat exchange surfaces defining therebetween a plurality of open ended channels in which a stream of a relatively cold medium - air - is passed through one set of channels in heat exchange relationship with a second air stream from a drier passing through another set of channels, such channels terminating in a surface area corresponding to the hypothenuse section of a triangular corner closed box able to catch fluid from said exchanger, the four boxes at inlets and outlets forming hermetic cells with tight joints and able to separate humid air from dry warm air and including motor means of air circulation.

Abstract: A fluid bed dryer granulator which can be unloaded by moving the support screen downwardly relative to the product chamber so that the product can be moved radially out of the device. Portions of the machine can be pivoted so as to allow rapid and thorough cleaning of the device.

Abstract: Apparatus for drying a hand covering with a wrist portion includes a closure which makes a snug fit within the wrist portion. An inlet aperture is connected to a source of drying gas, which inflates the hand covering. One or more outlet ports through the closure permits vapor-laden gas to leave the interior of the hand covering. Restrictive means limit the flow of gas from the hand covering to ensure full inflation. In terms of method, a wet hand covering, which includes a finger section and an elastomeric wrist portion, is dried by inserting a closure in the wrist portion. A drying gas is injected through an inlet aperture in the closure and into the hand covering at a sufficient rate and temperature to inflate the finger section and vaporize liquid. Vapor-laden gas is removed from the hand covering through an outlet aperture in the closure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating refuse by non-combustibly shrinking polyfoam plastics in the refuse. The trash is heated at a temperature between 250.degree. F. and 500.degree. F. for a minimum period of time. A rotatable chamber heats the refuse and transports the refuse for the minimum period of time. An operator controls the rate of rotation of the chamber and thus the time of heating in accordance with the moisture content of the refuse. A steam/air mixture used as a heat medium serves to kill bacteria in the refuse in addition to shrinking and drying the refuse.

Abstract: A roller for removing water from tennis courts, bowling greens, verandahs and other surfaces has a roller covered with a water absorbent material covered with a net of nylon for prevention of abrasion damage, and a handle. The handle including channels on either side sufficiently close to the surface of the absorbent material to receive water squeezed therefrom by a transverse spring loaded member. Outlet pipes are fitted to the ends of the channels and these are movable from a position in which the end is above the level of the relevant channel for retention of the water until desired to discharge it, when the pipe is swivelled to a second position in which the free end is below the channel.

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 method and an apparatus for drying of material, especially of plastic granules, wherein the material disposed in a container is dried by drying air which is adjusted to a drying temperature specific to the material to be dried. The setting of the drying temperature depends on the through put rate of the material. The apparatus comprises at least one container for the material to be dried, a drying duct which opens into a first end of the container, a recycling duct for the drying air that is connected to a second end of the container, and at least one conveying means which is equipped with a valve that may be actuated for conveying the material. The valve is connected to a control unit.