Abstract: The invention relates to a particulate conveying apparatus for evenly drying particulate material. The apparatus comprises a plurality of spatially separate, essentially parallel, vertically oriented proportioning plates, disposed between a first end and a discharge end of the conveying apparatus for flow of particulate material therebetween. An endless conveyor is positioned proximate to and below the bottom edge of the proportioning plates for receiving of particulate material flowing between the plates from the first end to the discharge end of the conveying apparatus. The plates each have side edges that vary a preset distance from one side edge to an opposing side edge of the plate.

Abstract: The specification relates to a gas distributor for an inlet gas plenum comprising a plurality of spatially separate gas deflectors, each deflector arranged and positioned to successively cut diagonally across a gas flow path in a gas flow direction from an inlet end of the distributor to a terminal end of the distributor. The deflectors configured to direct gas flow exiting the distributor in an essentially perpendicular direction to the direction of gas flow entering the distributor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dryer for uniform drying of moisture laden particulate material. The dryer comprises a substantially vertical tower having a top, a bottom, side walls, a moist material inlet, a moist material distribution section below the inlet, a drying section below the distribution section and a cooling section below the drying section. The drying section contains a heated air inlet and air exhaust assemblies, wherein the air exhaust assemblies are formed from a plurality of discharge chambers extending horizontally across the tower between the side walls for flow of particulate material therebetween. Each discharge chamber contains at least one horizontally disposed exhaust tubular member having an aperture in the lower portion of the tubular member for exhausting air. Each discharge chamber also contains at least one aperture in the upper portion thereof for receiving air.

Abstract: A modular column dryer for particulate material including a housing with a removable module supported in the housing. The removable module includes at least one support member and a first pair of generally vertical side panels having perforations therein. The side panels are fixed to the support member to form at least a part of a first column for receiving particulate material and directing the material through the housing. Means is provided for introducing moist particulate material into a top portion of the column. Drying air is passed through the column for drying particulate material therein. A discharge mechanism is provided to remove the dried particulate material from a bottom portion of the column.

Abstract: A gravity-flow grain dryer for particulate material comprises a generally vertical drying column having first and second opposed spaced perforate walls, the column being adapted to receive particulate material and direct the material through the dryer. An input is provided for introducing moist particulate material into a top portion of the column and a discharge mechanism is provided for removing dried particulate material from a bottom portion of the column. A blower and heater are also provided for passing drying air into the column through the first perforate wall and out through the second perforate wall, the air drying the material within the column. A dividing wall extends between the perforate walls for dividing at least a portion of the column into at least two channels, of the channels containing a discharging mechanism for removing particulate material from the channel.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for generating heated air, for example, for use in connection with a dryer for particulate material, comprising a base portion having a combustion chamber and a burner for providing a flow of combustion gas. A plurality of open tubes having the first ends communicating with the combustion chamber are provided for receiving the flow of combustion gas. The second ends of the tube extend beyond the base portion. A tubular structure is connected to the base portion surrounding the second ends of the tubes. The tubular structure has partition means for dividing it into a heat exchange chamber adjacent the base portion and surrounding the tubes and a manifold chamber remote from the base portion. The partition cooperates with the tubes to direct the flow of combustion gas into the manifold chamber.

Abstract: A gravity-flow grain dryer for particulate material comprises first and second generally vertical drying columns spaced apart to provide a plenum chamber therebetween, the drying columns each having opposed spaced perforate walls. First and second inputs are provided for introducing particulate material into top portions of the first and second drying columns, respectively. First and second discharge mechanisms are also provided for removing particulate material from bottom portions of the first and second drying columns, respectively. Conveyor means are provided for receiving the particulate material discharged from the first drying column and for conveying the particulate material to the second input. A flow of drying air is directed to the plenum chamber, whereby the drying air passes into the first and second drying columns to dry the particulate material, the drying air being subsequently discharged from the drying column.

Abstract: An improved metering discharge device for particulate material, particularly grain, is described. The device comprises a plurality of tubes extending downwardly from a lower region of a vessel, particularly in uniformly spaced relationship across the bottom of a gravity flow grain drying chamber. Each tube has an upper end flow connected to the drying chamber and a closed lower end and also has a pair of opposed openings in the side walls. A rotatable auger extends laterally through the tube via the side wall openings. The tubes preferably arranged in straight rows with a single auger extending through each row. This combination of tubes and augers provides a simpler design as well as a more precise flow metering than prior metering rolls. Also included are a plurality of laterally spaced, inverted channel members with open bottoms extending across the drying tower immediately above the discharge floor structure, these channel members being adapted to distribute cooling air into the grain in the tower.

Abstract: A concurrent-countercurrent flow type grain dryer is described having an improved wet grain-drying air contacting arrangement. The dryer is in the form of a tower, with the grain passing from top to bottom by gravity flow. The tower has a wet grain bin at the top with intermediate drying zones and metering grain outlets at the bottom for controlling the rate of movement of grain through the tower. The drying zone is divided into several sections including at least two concurrent flow hot air drying zones with a steeping zone between each pair of concurrent flow hot air drying zones, followed by a countercurrent flow cooling zone. The use of two or more concurrent flow drying zones with intermediate steeping zones have been found to remarkably improve both the rate of flow of grain through the dryer and the moisture removal efficiency. Still greater efficiencies have been achieved by recycling the outlet drying air from one drying zone to the inlet drying air of a subsequent drying zone.

Abstract: A concurrent-countercurrent flow type grain dryer is described having an improved wet grain-hot air contacting arrangement. The dryer includes a wet grain bin having a horizontal floor assembly with a plurality of uniformly spaced openings with a tube member extending downwardly beneath each such opening. These tubes have insulated side walls and serve to deliver wet grain in response to gravity from the bin into a drying chamber. A hot air inlet duct is provided adjacent the tube members to deliver hot air into the space between the tube members and downwardly through a bed of grain in the drying chamber. The bottom of the drying chamber has metering grain outlets as well as cooling air inlet ducts, while air exhaust duct are provided intermediate the hot and cooling air inlets.