Abstract: A method and device for the drying of sludges, wherein the drying method includes a stage for raising a sealed enclosure to a set pressure, at least by the injection of saturating water vapour, and for holding this pressure for a given length of time; a stage for loading the sludges into a tank that is distanced from the walls of the enclosure, with loading means that guarantee maintenance of the pressure; a stage for the injection of superheated steam into the sludge by means of a mixer in action close to the wall of the tank that is most distant in relation to the source of the microwaves, including injection means; a stage for heating to the centre of the sludge by the emission of microwaves at frequencies of between 400 and 2450 MHz in the direction of the tank, this stage being executed while mixing the sludge; a stage for removal of the water collected by condensation and run-off on the walls of the enclosure toward the bottom of the enclosure, by means of a valve leading to the outside.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for drying wood, characterized in that it comprises a pressurizing step to place a sealed chamber (1) under a predetermined pressure by injecting or generating saturating steam and maintaining this pressure for a predetermined time interval, while ensuring a forced circulation of air and saturating steam within the chamber, a heating step to heat the wood core and central zone of the wood pieces by emitting microwaves at frequencies ranging between 400 and 2450 MHz, an evacuation step to carry away the liquid exudates from the wood when run down to the bottom of the chamber (1) where they are collected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extracting the natural juice of ligneous plant material, a device for carrying out said method and the use of said method in the production of dried ligneous plant material. The method for extracting the natural juice of ligneous plant material comprises the following: a pressurization step in which a sealed enclosure containing the plant material is pressurized, whereby the pressure thereof is greater than that of the atmosphere; a stage in which saturating water vapor is created or injected; a stage in which the plant material is heated to the core by means of electromagnetic waves; a step in which the liquid exudates from said plant material are gravitationally recovered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for drying wood, characterized in that it comprises a pressurizing step to place a sealed chamber (1) under a predetermined pressure by injecting or generating saturating steam and maintaining this pressure for a predetermined time interval, while ensuring a forced circulation of air and saturating steam within the chamber, a heating step to heat the wood core and central zone of the wood pieces by emitting microwaves at frequencies ranging between 400 and 2450 MHz, an evacuation step to carry away the liquid exudates from the wood when run down to the bottom of the chamber (1) where they are collected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for drying wood, characterized in that it comprises a pressurizing step to place a sealed chamber (1) under a predetermined pressure by injecting or generating saturating steam and maintaining this pressure for a predetermined time interval, while ensuring a forced circulation of air and saturating steam within the chamber, a heating step to heat the wood core and central zone of the wood pieces by emitting microwaves at frequencies ranging between 400 and 2450 MHz, an evacuation step to carry away the liquid exudates from the wood which run down to the bottom of the chamber (1) where they are collected.