Abstract: A process for continuous dewatering/drying of EP(D)M rubber is disclosed. The process comprises continuously charging wet EP(D)M crumb into a single screw extruder having particular structural features and conveying the wet crumb through the length of the extruder under conditions sufficient to expel water, increase the pressure across the die plate of the extruder and heat the crumb. The dried crumb thus extruded is characterized in that it contains less than 1% water. The single screw extruder suitable for the process comprises an inlet or feeding end, an expeller section which contains cage bars, an expander section having a solid shell cover positioned immediately downstream from the expeller section, a die plate and a screw having a constant pitch and a, preferably gradually, decreasing channel depth.

Abstract: A hair dryer including more than one switch to control air flow rate and/or temperature. The switches are located on different portions of the hair dryer, allowing the user to select air flow rate and/or temperature when gripping the dryer in different ways. In one aspect, a switch is mounted like a trigger on a pistol-shaped hair dryer. A collar located entirely around the hair dryer's barrel mechanically links this trigger switch to a lever positioned on the barrel. When the lever on the barrel is squeezed or pulled, the collar rotates around a pivot to activate the trigger. This collar arrangement thus provides a second switch to control the air flow rate and/or temperature of the dryer.

Abstract: A process for drying a solution containing the material. The process includes the following steps: (1) subjecting the solution to vacuum-assisted freezing by introducing the solution into an evacuated chamber in the form of a spray, the droplets of which are at a sufficiently low temperature to ensure that they freeze at the vacuum pressure inside the chamber; (2) collecting the frozen droplets of the solution on a collecting surface of the chamber and controlling the temperature of the collecting surface and the pressure within the chamber so that the frozen solvent sublimes from the collected frozen droplets.

Abstract: A rotatable drum forms an airtight seal with a door. A vacuum line connects the interior of the drum to a vacuum pump. A shutoff valve closes the vacuum line to the pump. A pressure equalization valve connects the drum to the outside atmosphere. A bearing supports the drum, in combination with the vacuum line. Infrared lamps heat clothes placed inside the drum. The vacuum pump reduces the air pressure in the drum below atmospheric pressure, reducing the evaporation temperature of the water in the clothes. A heat sensor measures the temperature of the air leaving the drum. Solenoid-driven purge valves allow air to enter the drum in short bursts, thus aiding the drying of the clothes.

Abstract: A method of drying organic or inorganic material or a mixture thereof, said material containing a liquid or liquids, which comprises introducing said material interiorly of a rotating rotor carrying on its periphery oscillating rotor blades, said rotor rotating about the axis of a process chamber having an inner surface with substantially axially extending ribs, said rotating rotor causing the material introduced interiorly of said rotor to be propelled radially outwardly of said axis of rotation and to expel liquid or liquids from said materials, and the oscillating rotor blades and the opposing ribs causing vibrational forces and turbulence to be induced into the outwardly flowing liquid so as to form a mist. Apparatus for carrying out said method is also described.

Abstract: A package for storing contaminant-sensitive articles in a contaminant-free environment featuring a pair of polymeric material circular half-sections having a bottom wall and a side wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a fiber web is provided by pressing the web, preferably by impulse drying and then introducing the web into a gas pressurized zone followed by reducing the pressure in the zone, the reduction preferably being effected with cooling of the fiber web.

Abstract: A drying device for warming or drying boots, gloves, mittens, and other articles has a pair of flexible hoses attached to an air blower and manifold. The remaining end of each hose is inserted into a boot or glove to facilitate warming or drying the inside of the boot or glove when air is forced through the flexible hoses by the air blower and the duct assembly. The length of the each flexible hose is independently adjustable so that the invention can be used with a variety of boot and glove sizes. Optional nozzles at the ends of the flexible hoses direct the air being blown into the boots, gloves, mittens, or other articles toward specific areas of the boots, gloves, mittens, or other articles. A spring clip is positioned inside the flexible hoses to help direct the flexible hoses into the boots or gloves to be dried and to keep the boots, gloves, mittens, or other articles held together.

Abstract: A paper-making process control system is provided for a paper making machine to simulate a web drying operation performed by the drying sections of the paper machine, in order to enhance the reliability of controlling operation in the web product grade change and to reduce the time necessary for the grade change. In the control system, when a web product change is carried out during the paper-making process by passing a web (WE) along with a canvas belt (14b) around a steam-heated drums (14a) for the drying of the web (WE), the control system describes heat balance among the steam-heated drums(14a), the web (WE), and the canvas belt (14b) by heat balance equations on an assumption that there is no temperature differential in the temperature of the circumferential portion of each steam-heated drum (14a), and adjustably regulates supply of steam to the respective steam-heated drums (14a) on the basis of the heat balance equations to thereby bring a moisture content of the web (WE) to a desired value.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel processes for the dewatering of a wide variety of solid-liquid matrices, including primary and secondary sludge, which involve the simultaneous application of pressure and heat to the solid-liquid matrices.

Abstract: In a method for preventing the occurrence of an explosive state in a gas mixture, especially of solvents in air, in an essentially confined space, virtually complete oxidation of at least part of the gas mixture taking place, either the temperature difference .DELTA.T between the temperatures of the gas mixture before and after the oxidation is determined, and if the temperature difference .DELTA.T is greater than a maximal permissible temperature increase .DELTA.T.sub.max, safety measures are taken, or the temperature T.sub.1 of the gas mixture before the oxidation and the temperature T.sub.2 of the gas mixture after the oxidation are measured, and the measured temperatures T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 are compared with a minimum temperature T.sub.min before oxidation of the gas mixture and a maximum temperature T.sub.max after oxidation of the gas mixture, the difference between T.sub.max and T.sub.min being less than, or equal to, the maximal permissible temperature increase .DELTA.T.sub.

Abstract: A gas drying canister housing for a desiccant canister in a gas dryer system includes a main portion having an upper base and a lower portion having a lower base. A canister bore is defined between the upper and lower bases when the main and lower portions are fastened to each other. The main portion defines a supply port through which a stream of moisture-bearing gas is directed into the housing for passage through the desiccant canister during a drying mode of operation of the gas dryer system. The main portion also defines a delivery port through which a stream of dried gas is directed from the housing during the drying mode. The lower portion defines a purge port through the lower base through which a stream of remoisturized gas is expelled from the housing during a purge mode of operation of the gas dryer system. The upper base of the main portion features a sealing flange against which an outer rim portion of a top of the desiccant canister is seatable so as to make an air tight seal therebetween.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a substrate cleaner and dryer or a dryer alone, and in particular, to an improved method of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) vapor drying having "closed loop" processing and capability to process extremely large substrates. The invention uses an inert gas, typically nitrogen (N.sub.2) or argon (Ar), as a process gas for carrying the vapor of a drying fluid in a "closed loop" cycle through a process vessel. The carrier gas and is pumped through a vapor generator and the process vessel in a rapid "closed loop" manner with extremely pure IPA vapor. Various embodiments employ the invention including two different vapor drying methods, a water rinse and vapor dry method and a solvent clean and vapor dry method. In either the water rinse and vapor dry method and a solvent clean and vapor dry method rinse water or cleaning fluid is rapidly drained in an unimpeded manner from the vessel while the process vessel is vented.

Abstract: According to the present invention, provided is a deodorization, sterilization and drying apparatus for bedding and clothing, which comprises: a warm air generator wherein an alkaline chlorine dioxide gas generator, within which is an alkaline ceramic body that is impregnated with an alkaline chlorine dioxide solution, is located along a flow path of the warm air that is generated in the warm air generator; an air mattress, a case and a bag for deodorizing, sterilizing and drying bedding and clothing by using the warm air from the warm air generator; and a hose for connecting the air mattress, etc., to the warm air generator, whereby the warm air from the warm air generator is brought into contact with the ceramic body so as to supply warm air that contains alkaline chlorine dioxide gas to the air mattress, etc. In addition to the above described arrangement, provided is a deodorization, sterilization and drying apparatus for bedding, etc.

Abstract: A dryer system for drying a coating applied to a substrate includes a thermally conductive roll having a length and a peripheral surface for supporting the substrate, and a plurality of energy emitters disposed within the conductive roll along the length of the conductive roll. The plurality of energy emitters are controlled to selectively emit energy along the length of the conductive roll. The conductive roll is at least partially surrounded by at least one convection unit. The convection unit includes a blower assembly, a heater assembly and a vacuum passageway. The blower assembly includes an inlet and directs a current of air towards the substrate. The heater assembly heats the air being directed towards the substrate. The vacuum passageway extends between the substrate and the inlet of the blower assembly for returning the heated air to the blower assembly once the air has impinged upon the substrate.

Abstract: An improved industrial dryer adapted for more efficient, quieter and safer operation. The dryer blower has a relatively large size blower wheel adapted for generating high volume air flows at substantially reduced noise levels so as not to disrupt the work environment nor necessitate that workers wear ear protection. The blower is mounted on a pivotal door of the housing for easy access and an adjacent air feed cone is mounted for selective adjustable positioning into axial relation with the blower wheel for efficient air distribution. The dryer includes a burner adapted for generating a multi-leg, relatively short length discharge flame for enhancing fuel combustion and maximizing surface area over which air passes and is heated as it is drawn to the tumbler of the dryer.

Abstract: A device is arranged in the drying section of a papermaking machine for reducing the effects of the tendency of a paper web (4) to adhere to a drying cylinder (1) as it passes from the drying cylinder to a subsequent guide roll (2). In the drying section, the paper web (4), supported by a drying fabric (5), is conducted alternatingly over a plurality of drying cylinders (1) and guide rolls (2). A blow box (6) is arranged in the transition portion (A) and has a wall (7) extending in parallel with the drying fabric (5) so as to form a narrow air gap (8) between the wall and the drying fabric. The blow box (6) comprises nozzle (12) having a slot-shaped opening for ejecting a well-defined air jet (P1) towards the drying fabric (5) away from the air gap (8). The nozzle (12) is directed such that its center plane intersects the circumferential surface of the drying cylinder (1) along a first straight line positioned upstream of a second line, along which the paper web (4) leaves the drying cylinder (1).

Abstract: A new Soffit Mounted Dryer Vent for offering a non-maintenance exhaust vent system for a clothes dryer vent that terminates in a soffit of a roof overhang. The inventive device includes a flange, a dryer hose adapter ring, an outlet fitting, and a vent flapper. The flange has an air passage, an upper surface, and a lower surface. The air passage allows exhaust air to pass through the flange from the dryer hose adapter ring to the outlet fitting. The dryer hose adapter ring is symmetrically mated to the upper surface of the flange. The dryer hose adapter ring has an outer wall diameter of substantially the same dimensions as the clothes dryer vent hose thereby allowing the clothes dry vent hose to matingly slip over the dryer hose adapter ring. The outlet fitting, having an outlet opening, is adjoiningly mated to the lower surface of the flange. The vent flapper is pivotally attached to the outlet fitting at the outlet opening.In use, the clothes dryer vent hose is slipped over the dryer hose adapter ring.

Abstract: A dryer system comprising a particle counter that measures the level of particulates in the dryer is disclosed. The dryer system is particularly adapted for drying garments to be worn in clean room environments. The dryer system preferably comprises an enclosure having a rotatable drum for receiving and tumbling garments or other clothing, a fan and motor assembly for providing airflow through the drum, an exhaust duct near the drum and in communication with the drum, a sampling tube in the exhaust duct, and a particle counter for measuring the concentration of particles withdrawn through the sampling tube from the drum. A sampling line may optionally be incorporated in the dryer inlet for withdrawing one or more samples of inlet air and transferring to the particle counter. A check may then be made to ensure that the incoming air is sufficiently clean.

Abstract: The dryer for a motor vehicle washing and drying system includes three downwardly-facing nozzles. The nozzles oscillate in a synchronized manner, with two side nozzles oscillating over a limited range only. A center nozzle, disposed between the two side nozzles, oscillates over a wider range to drive water on the upper surface of the vehicle towards the side nozzles. The side nozzles then drive the water along the contours of the vehicle surface down the sides of the vehicle using the Coanda effect. One of the side nozzles as well as the center nozzle is moved in an inward or outward direction depending upon the sensed width of the vehicle. The center nozzle is rotated in a forward or rearward direction as the vehicle moves underneath the dryer. Each nozzle contains a unique ovoid-shaped member disposed in the nozzle to accelerate and concentrate the output of the nozzles.