Abstract: The present invention relates to purge vessel apparatuses and methods for processing particulate material composed of powder particles. Some such purge vessel apparatuses include a housing having first and second opposite ends and an inner surface defining a material path from the first end to the second end. Some such purge vessel apparatuses also include a gas exposure mechanism that is adapted to expose particulate material on the material path to a processing gas. Some such purge vessel apparatuses further include an agitating mechanism adapted to disrupt and/or inhibit formation of gas channels and/or to disrupt and/or inhibit formation of material flow channels by agitating particulate material on the material path, thereby exposing substantially all of the powder particles to the processing gas, while substantially maintaining mass flow. Several illustrative purge vessel apparatuses and method are disclosed for processing particulate material composed of powder particles.

Abstract: A system for the solid phase polymerization of polymers wherein cold amorphous polymer is introduced to one or more crystallizers and heated to crystallize the polymer. The crystallized polymer is discharged to a reactor for polymerization of the polymer, and the hot polymer product of the reactor is discharged to a fluid bed cooler. The fluid bed cooler includes an inlet for the hot polymer and inlets for the gas used for agitating the polymer. Outlets for the polymer and for the off-gas are also provided. At least one spray nozzle is located in the cooler at a position adjacent the upper level of the polymer and water is introduced through the nozzle for contact with the polymer to achieve cooling of the polymer as a result of the vaporization of the water.

Abstract: A system for the solid phase polymerization of polymers wherein cold amorphous polymer is introduced to one or more crystallizers and heated to crystallize the polymer. The crystallized polymer is discharged to a reactor for polymerization of the polymer, and the hot polymer product of the reactor is discharged to a fluid bed cooler. The fluid bed cooler includes an inlet for the hot polymer and inlets for the gas used for agitating the polymer. Outlets for the polymer and for the off-gas are also provided. At least one spray nozzle is located in the cooler at a position adjacent the upper level of the polymer and water is introduced through the nozzle for contact with the polymer to achieve cooling of the polymer as a result of the vaporization of the water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of cottage cheese wherein precut cheese curds are provided in a vat. The curds are subjected to a cooking operation while simultaneously providing for agitation of the curds. The system includes a carriage which traverses the vat back and forth from one end wall to the other. An agitating unit is mounted on the carriage and at least one discharging pipe extends downwardly into the vat from the agitating unit. The agitating unit is continuously oscillated, and the vat is preferably semi-cylindrical in shape, so that the lower discharge end of the pipe moves closely adjacent the vat surface in the course of the combined reciprocating and oscillating movements. Whey is continuously pumped from the vat, pass through a heat exchanger, and then recirculated to the vat through the discharge end of the discharging pipe. The heated whey provides the temperature input for the cooking while the vat contents are being completely and gently agitated by the agitating unit.

Abstract: A system for the thermal processing of material in a housing having an inlet for receipt of the materials and an outlet for the discharge of the material after thermal treatment. The heating of the materials is accomplished, at least in part, by contact of the materials with a particulate medium which has been preheated in a separate heating operation employing infrared radiant heaters. The housing includes a heating zone separate from the zone used for thermal processing of the materials with the separate heating zone including the infrared radiant heaters. The particulate medium is introduced to the heating zone and brought to a controlled temperature. The medium is then conveyed to the processing zone where it is admixed with the materials being thermally processed. A shrouded zone is located intermediate the processing and particulate medium heating zones. This zone comprises a section of reduced clearance thereby providing a gas and dust lock between the processing and heating zones.

Abstract: A method for treating material comprising starch and starch-bearing products wherein the products are introduced to a thermal processor comprising a housing defining an inner wall surface, an inlet end, an outlet end, and an agitator rotatable within the housing adapted to direct the material into contact with the inner wall surface. The inner wall surface is heated and nozzles associated with the agitator are used for discharging fluid from the nozzles into contact with the material during rotation of the agitator. Heating to obtain treatment of the material is provided by contact with the inner wall surface and by controlling the fluid discharge from the nozzles to create turbulence for spreading the material over a broad surface area of the inner wall surface to enhance and render substantially uniform the heat exchange between the material, the fluid, and the inner wall surface, and to control mass transfer between the fluid and the material.

Abstract: This invention comprises a radiant heater for use in thermally processing granular polymers and powders. The heater comprises an enclosed air-tight case for housing the reflector, the electrical and structural elements, and the lamps and lamp chamber. These comonents are all enclosed behind a quartz window, and the components and lamp chamber are forced air cooled. A plurality of air passages are provided for the case at the junctures of the window edges and surrounding wall portions of the case. These passages form air venting openings or nozzles which serve to discharge the gaseous coolant in the form of high velocity jet streams which are directed along the outside surface of the window.

Abstract: A system for the solid phase polymerization of polymers comprising a crystallizer, and wherein cold amorphous polymer is introduced to the crystallizer. A source of infrared radiation is associated with the crystallizer, and the polymer is heated by applying infrared radiation thereto. The degree of heating is controlled so that the polymer reaches the crystallization or polymerization temperature without exceeding the polymer melting point.

Abstract: A method for thermally processing polyester pellets by crystallization and polymerization in the solid state which comprises providing a confined processing unit. The pellets are introduced to said unit along with a liquid medium. The combination of pellets and liquid medium is agitated to achieve mixing and the temperature of the agitated mixture is controlled to achieve treating of the polyester pellets in the agitated heating liquid medium at a temperature slightly below the sticking temperature of the polyester. The treatment is continued for a period sufficient to substantially increase the crystallinity and molecular weight of the polyester.

Abstract: A system for the solid phase polymerization of polymers comprising a crystallizer, and wherein cold amorphous polymer is introduced to the crystallizer. A source of infrared radiation is associated with the crystallizer, and the polymer is heated by applying infrared radiation thereto. The degree of heating is controlled so that the polymer reaches the crystallization or polymerization temperature without exceeding the polymer melting point.

Abstract: A system for crystallization of polymers involving the use of a stationary housing with a rotor mounted for rotation within the housing. The rotor supports a plurality of spaced apart hollow discs and heated fluid is delivered to the interior of the discs. The polymer material to be treated is fed into the housing for heat exchange contact with the exterior surfaces of the discs. The rotation of the discs in addition serves as the propelling force for the material along the length of the housing at which point the material is discharged. The speed of rotation of the rotor is controlled to influence agitation and conveying of material in the housing to thereby control the crystallization reaction. A holdup mechanism which operates independently of the speed control is located adjacent the discharge location to contribute to the fixing of the residence time.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the solid phase polymerization of polymers wherein cold amorphous polymer is introduced to a crystallizer. Hot heat transfer liquid is employed in the crystallizer for heating the polymer through indirect heat exchange to crystallize the polymer. The crystallized polymer is discharged to a reactor for solid phase polymerization, and then passed from the reactor to a cooler. Cold heat transfer liquid is employed in the cooler to cool the polymer through indirect heat exchange. A forced recirculation closed-loop system for the heat-transfer liquid is provided between the crystallizer and the cooler whereby the heat recovery process is achieved.

Abstract: A system for crystallization of polymers involving the use of a stationary housing with a rotor mounted for rotation within the housing. The rotor supports a plurality of spaced apart hollow discs and heated fluid is delivered to the interior of the discs. The polymer material to be treated is fed into the housing for heat exchange contact with the exterior surfaces of the discs. The rotation of the discs in addition serves as the propelling force for the material along the length of the housing at which point the material is discharged. The speed of rotation of the rotor is controlled to influence agitation and conveying of material in the housing to thereby control the crystallization reaction. A holdup mechanism which operates independently of the speed control is located adjacent the discharge location to contribute to the fixing of the residence time.

Abstract: A system for treating flowable materials wherein an elongated cylindrical housing is provided with an inlet for introducing material to the housing at one end thereof. An inner wall surface is defined by the housing and the temperature of the inner wall surface is controlled for heat exchange between the material and the surface. An outlet for the material is provided at the other end of the housing, and an agitator extends within, and at least partially along the length of, the housing for rotation within the housing. The agitator comprises a plurality of paddles extending from adjacent the axis of rotation of the agitator toward the inner wall surface, the paddles being positioned in spaced apart locations over at least a portion of the length of the inner wall surface whereby rotation of the agitator results in the moving of the material around the inner wall surface and the propelling of the material from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: A system for material drying comprising a pulse combustor and an associated combustion chamber whereby a pulsating flow of hot gases are generated. A tail pipe is connected to the outlet of the combustion chamber for receiving the pulsating flow of hot gases and a material introduction chamber is connected at the outlet of the tail pipe. A drying chamber is connected at the outlet of the material introduction chamber. The hot pulse combustion exhaust gases are cooled to control the temperature of the gases issuing from the outlet of the tail pipe and entering the material introduction chamber. This control is accomplished with a cool air stream issuing into the pulse combustion mixing chamber along with the hot gases from the pulse combustion tail pipe for mixing with and cooling of the hot gases. A separate diluent air stream may be employed for contact with material issuing from the introduction chamber and passing into the drying chamber.