Abstract: A method is provided for rapidly drying and treating comestible material. The method generally comprises heating the comestible material by application of infrared energy in order to dry the comestible material to a predetermined moisture content, and/or disinfest and denature enzymes within the comestible material. The heating step is carried out so that the maximum temperature of the comestible material does not exceed a predetermined level.

Abstract: A method is provided for rapidly drying rice and other types of comestible material, preferably herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables and more preferably rosemary. The method generally comprises heating said rice or comestible material by application of infrared energy in order to dry the rice or comestible material to a predetermined moisture content, about 7-13% by weight for rice, and about 6-10% by weight for other comestible material. The heating step is carried out so that the maximum temperature of the rice or comestible material does not exceed a predetermined level, about 110° F. for rice and about 180° F. for other comestible material.

Abstract: An agitated bed apparatus (20) for heating, cooling, and/or drying particulate material (152) is provided which includes a housing (22) having an elongated flexible bed (24) therein adapted to receive the material (152). An agitator assembly (26) made up of a series of rotatable beater bar units (70) is located below the bed (24) and oriented for repeatedly impacting the bed (24) to establish an undulating bed movement for elevation and tumbling of the particulate material (152). A material conditioning unit (156) such as an infrared heating unit array (28) is located above the bed (24) so as to expose the particulate material (152) to hot, cool, or ambient air for heating, drying, or cooling thereof. In another embodiment, the apparatus (20) includes a plurality of units (156) which are slidably removable from the housing (22) of the apparatus (20).

Abstract: An agitated bed drying apparatus (20) for particulate material (152) is provided which includes a housing (22) having an elongated, essentially imperforate, flexible bed (24) therein adapted to receive the material (152). An agitator assembly (26) made up of a series of rotatable beater bar units (70) is located below the bed (24) and oriented for repeatedly impacting the bed (24) to establish an undulating bed movement for elevation and tumbling of the particulate material (152). An infrared heating unit array (28) is located above the bed (24) so as to expose the particulate material (152) to IR radiation for most effective drying thereof. Alternately, the bed (24) may be in the form of a length of material (58) mounted in tension and against translation within housing (24), or as a continuous belt (136).

Abstract: An agitated bed drying apparatus (20) for particulate material (152) is provided which includes a housing (22) having an elongated, essentially imperforate, flexible bed (24) therein adapted to receive the material (152). An agitator assembly (26) made up of a series of rotatable beater bar units (70) is located below the bed (24) and oriented for repeatedly impacting the bed (24) to establish an undulating bed movement for elevation and tumbling of the particulate material (152). An infrared heating unit array (28) is located above the bed (24) so as to expose the particulate material (152) to IR radiation for most effective drying thereof. Alternately, the bed (24) may be in the form of a length of material (58) mounted in tension and against translation within housing (24), or as a continuous belt (136).

Abstract: Volatile organic compounds present in a gas stream are removed by an apparatus which provides for introduction of a gas stream into the interior of a vessel having a plurality of catalytic pads. The vessel includes a heat source to bring the pads to operating temperature, the pads being arranged in a spaced-apart axially extending array defining a serpentine path through which the gas stream flows. The heat source includes a plurality of catalytic heaters which extend the length of the unit to define the walls thereof. The pad array and catalytic heater walls oxidize a portion of the volatile organic compounds present in the incoming gas stream.