Abstract: A diverter valve for use with fluids containing particulate matter is presented. The diverter valve includes a piston slidable between a first and second position in a valve casing. In the first position, a pass-through transverse bore in the piston is aligned with openings in the valve casing to allow a fluid to pass through to a first conduit. In a second piston position, a port for a diverter bore in the piston is aligned with an opening in the valve casing such that the fluid is diverted away from the first conduit. The piston includes a plurality of grooves structured to capture fluid and particulate matter that enters the slight gap between the piston and the valve casing.

Abstract: A centrifugal pellet dryer with a self-cleaning rotor seal, replaceable wear plates, and a fluid powered dewatering tower is presented. The self-cleaning rotor seal includes a plurality of grooves that are structured to eject pellet debris that migrates into between the seal and the housing for the rotor. The replaceable wear plates are secured to the rotor at locations such that they contact pellets that are entering the rotor housing. The dewatering tower includes a helical augur that dewaters a pellet slurry and delivers partially dried pellets to the rotor housing.

Abstract: A low impact belt dryer is presented for drying pellets while minimizing high-energy pellet collisions that may create pellet dust or cause pellets to fracture. The dryer includes a vacuum chamber having multiple air knife assemblies that direct high velocity drying fluid towards the pellets and though a liquid-permeable pellet-impermeable belt to a vacuum port. The low impact dryer may also include a centrifugal dryer for dewatering the pellets before they pass though the vacuum chamber. The conveyor belt of the dryer may transport the pellets through multiple desiccation chambers where low velocity air is directed upwards though the belt to both dry and levitate the pellets above the belt. The dryer may also include a cleaning chamber for removing debris from the liquid-permeable pellet-impermeable belt.

Abstract: A diverter valve for use with fluids containing particulate matter is presented. The diverter valve includes a piston slidable between a first and second position in a valve casing. In the first position, a pass-through transverse bore in the piston is aligned with openings in the valve casing to allow a fluid to pass through to a first conduit. In a second piston position, a port for a diverter bore in the piston is aligned with an opening in the valve casing such that the fluid is diverted away from the first conduit. The piston includes a plurality of grooves structured to capture fluid and particulate matter that enters the slight gap between the piston and the valve casing.

Abstract: A centrifugal pellet dryer with a self-cleaning rotor seal, replaceable wear plates, and a fluid powered dewatering tower is presented. The self-cleaning roter seal includes a plurality of grooves that are structured to eject pellet debris that migrates into between the seal and the housing for the rotor. The replaceable wear plates are secured to the rotor at locations such that they contact pellets that are entering the rotor housing. The dewatering tower includes a helical augur that dewaters a pellet slurry and delivers partially dried pellets to the rotor housing.