Abstract: Potentially off-grid grain conditioners that can be operably connected to an aeration grain bin or silo to blow heated air through the crop to dry the crop or to blow ambient temperature air through the crop to cool it are disclosed. A fan is powered by a motor that may be mounted inside the air stream to allow the heat from the motor to be collected and forced into the airstream that is blown into the grain bin. The engine exhaust may be routed through an air exchanger to remove heat from the exhaust and direct heat into the grain bin, or the exhaust may be put into the atmosphere without capturing any of the heat, which allows the fan to operate in a cooling mode. The motor may be mounted inline or mounted to the side for a centrifugal aeration fan.

Abstract: A hemp biomass drying assembly that is disposed within a structure and having a central lift assembly, a rotatable tine assembly, an auger assembly, and a track drive assembly that are all connected to a control system to activate and operate all assemblies. The drying assembly has multiple modes of operation that include a spreading mode, a leveling mode, and stirring mode, and an unloading mode.

Abstract: A tumbler may be used as defluidizer, dryer, coater, classifier, or dynamic filter. The tumbler includes a housing for rotatably supporting a removable screened drum on a plurality of rollers. The drum receives a solid/fluid slurry through an inlet chute. As the slurry travels through the drum, fluid exits the drum through a plurality of apertures in screens attached to the sides of the drum, while the solids continue along the drum's length until they reach one or more openings and exit the drum into an outlet chute. The outlet chute includes ridges that wrap around rings extending from the openings of the drum to prevent solids from escaping the outlet chute. To further dry the solids before they exit the drum, an air tube disposed within the drum is configured to direct air through the screens to an air blower intake positioned outside of the drum.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for reducing moisture in mineral slurries, particularly mineral slurries containing minerals of small particle diameter, using a granular drying material. The invention also relates to novel mineral products and intermediates useful in connection with the process. The method and system reduced moisture by contacting the mineral slurry with the granular drying material. The granular drying material is selected to be readily separated from the dried minerals using a size separation technique such as a sieve screen. The granular drying material is the regenerated, preferably using a process involving heat exchange and cross-flow air. The granular drying material is preferably capable of regeneration and recycling in a continuous process with minimal attrition.

Abstract: The present invention provides grain-drying facilities which can effectively use the heat energy of biomass combustion hot-air that has been generated in a biomass combustion furnace. The grain-drying facilities 1 include: a biomass combustion furnace 3 provided with a heat exchanger 24 for generating a hot air from a combustion heat of a biomass fuel and an outside air which has been taken in from the outside; and a circulation type grain-drying apparatus 2 provided with a grain-drying portion 7 to which the hot air that has been generated in the biomass combustion furnace 3 is supplied through a pipe 15 for supplying a hot air, wherein the circulation type grain-drying apparatus 2 has a plurality of warming pipes 6a in the grain-drying portion 7, and an exhaust hot-air is supplied to the warming pipes 6a from the biomass combustion furnace 3 through a pipe 11 for supplying the exhaust hot-air.

Abstract: A grain dryer has a grain column configured to receive grain to be dried and ducts extending from a first wall of the grain column to a second wall of the grain column. The grain dryer is configured so that different numbers of the ducts are selectable for handling cooling air used for cooling the grain.

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: The inner space of a drying tank 4 is made up of a mixing and drying zone MZ to mix and dry supplied material 3 by swirling the material 3 upward onto rotor blades 5 and pressing the material centrifugally against a heated cylindrical inner surface of the tank wall 2, and a drying zone DZ beneath the mixing and drying zone MZ. An upper screw conveyer 15, connected to the upper part of the mixing and drying zone MZ transfers material 3 out of the drying tank 4. A lower screw conveyer 13, connected to the bottom of the mixing and drying zone MZ transfers material received from the upper conveyor 15 through a vertical transfer pipe 17 back into the drying tank 4 along with new material to be dried. A discharge screw conveyer 21 is connected to the drying zone DZ to discharge out dried material continuously.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to systems that are used for reclaiming components of wellbore cuttings material. In one illustrative embodiment, a system is disclosed that includes, among other things, a dryer that is adapted to receive a drill cuttings mixture that includes drilling fluid and cuttings material, the dryer being further adapted to treat the drill cuttings mixture by drying the cuttings material below a preselected moisture content level. The system also includes a moisture sensor that is adapted to sense a moisture content of the cuttings material after it is dried by the dryer, and a cuttings reinjection system that is adapted to reinject the dried cuttings material into a well bore. Additionally, the system includes a conveyor system that is adapted to convey the dried cuttings material to the cuttings reinjection system, wherein the conveyor system includes, among other things, a positive pressure pneumatic conveying apparatus.

Abstract: A device for allowing efficient drying and a method thereof are established by increasing the opportunity and area to bring a drying object into contact with air and a method for producing dry fermented feed and dry fermented manure at low costs by using the fermentation heat is proposed. The drying object is floated while shifting and stirring the drying object in the drying vessel, and air is supplied from below, and the drying object is transported by an air current repeatedly from a lower part to an upper part of the drying vessel to increase the opportunity and area to bring the drying object into contact with dry air evenly and significantly improve shortening of time spent for drying.

Abstract: Biowaste sterilizers are described. In one implementation an exemplary system has waste transport vessels that can be intermittently heated and pressurized, for example, with steam, and are interconnected to provide multiple sterilization pathways for waste as the waste is transported. Selected sterilization pathways may depend on attributes of the waste. Sterilization factors, such as mechanical shredding, application of steam, application of pressure, maintenance of temperature, separation of liquid, etc., are integrated into the waste transport features of the system, which can be made compact to save space while processing relatively large bulk amounts of materials, such as medical wastes. The system maintains safe isolation of bio-hazardous components in the waste from the external environment. A system controller provides parameters management, smart sterilization cycle control, quality assurance, safety management, diagnostics, and reporting over a network.

Abstract: Bio-waste sterilizers are described. In one implementation an exemplary system has waste transport vessels that can be intermittently heated and pressurized, for example, with steam, and are interconnected to provide multiple sterilization pathways for waste as the waste is transported. Selected sterilization pathways may depend on attributes of the waste. Sterilization factors, such as mechanical shredding, application of steam, application of pressure, maintenance of temperature, separation of liquid, etc., are integrated into the waste transport features of the system, which can be made compact to save space while processing relatively large bulk amounts of materials, such as medical wastes. The system maintains safe isolation of bio-hazardous components in the waste from the external environment. A system controller provides parameters management, smart sterilization cycle control, quality assurance, safety management, diagnostics, and reporting over a network.

Abstract: A moisture control system generally comprising a collector element is configured to be incorporated into a structure to control moisture condensation on the interior and exterior of the structure. The collector element encourages condensation on its surface. The control system includes a channel in fluid communication with the collector element to direct the condensed liquid away from the control element.

Abstract: A blower system for livestock may include a housing. An air inlet may be located on the housing. One or more motors may be located in the housing. One or more fans may be coupled to at least one of the motors. The fans may be located in the housing. The fans may draw air in through the air inlet and expel air out through an air outlet located on the housing. A nozzle may be coupled to the air outlet. The nozzle may have a wide, narrow slit opening for air to exit the nozzle. The blower system may be portable. The blower system may allow a user to apply the air from the air outlet to livestock.

Abstract: A process for treating an organic matter sludge includes, in a mixing stage, mixing an organic matter sludge and particulate sterilized organic matter, to form an organic matter mixture. This mixture is dried in a drying stage to obtain a homogeneous particulate organic product.

Abstract: A drier apparatus for removing water or other liquids from various materials includes a mixer, drying chamber, separator and regenerator and a method for use of the apparatus. The material to be dried is mixed with a heated media to form a mixture which then passes through the chamber. While passing through the chamber, a comparatively cool fluid is passed counter current through the mixture so that the mixture becomes cooler and drier and the fluid becomes hotter and more saturated with moisture. The mixture is then separated into drier material and media. The media is transferred to the regenerator and heated therein by the hot fluid from the chamber and supplemental heat is supplied to bring the media to a preselected temperature for mixing with the incoming material to be dried. In a closed loop embodiment of the apparatus, the fluid is also recycled from the regenerator to the chamber and a chiller is utilized to reduce the temperature of the fluid to a preselected temperature and dew point temperature.

Abstract: The present invention is a method, apparatus and process for an improved substrate mounting and processing technique for various substrate treatments comprising cleaning, dicing, sawing, polishing, and planarization, among others.

Abstract: A fluidized-bed drying and classifying apparatus is provided with a main body (10) in which a fluidized bed is formed to dry a granular material and to classify the same into fine particles and coarse particles. A perforated gas-distributing plate (12) is disposed in a lower part of a region in which a fluidized bed (14) is formed in the main body (10), a wind box having the shape of a hopper is disposed below the perforated gas-distributing plate. A dropped material discharge device (29) is connected to the lower end of the hopper-shaped wind box (16) to discharge the material dropped into the wind box (16). A gas supply system (110) is connected to the wind box (16) to supply a fluidizing gas that serves as a drying hot gas and a classifying gas into the wind box. A material supply opening portion (20) is mounted to the main body (10) to feed the granular material. A discharge chute (24) is connected to the main body (10) to discharge dried coarse particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a crop growing in a field by continuously cutting the crop with a transportable cutter and forming a layer of the cut crop on a moving conveyor. A stream of solar heated air is continuously forced onto the moving crop to reduce its moisture content. Thereafter the crop is continuously formed into bales and the bales accumulated. The crop is processed by continuously cutting, solar drying, baling and accumulating it directly in the field in a one pass operation within a contained, transportable chamber. A dessicant material aids in removing moisture from air used for drying so that dried air can be recirculated.

Abstract: An Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) tank vapor/liquid phase separator for collecting liquid while still allowing for efficient vapor flow in an IPA tank includes a first row and a second row of spaced-apart coplanar parallel catch trays. Vapor flows upwardly through the openings between the catch trays. The catch trays are arranged so that contaminated IPA condensate falls into either the first or second row of catch trays. In one embodiment, both of the catch trays are upright V-shaped or upright semi-circular-shaped. In another embodiment the catch trays are formed as plates with staggered holes formed therein for upward passage of vapor and for downward collection of condensate.

Abstract: A method of converting industrial, domestic or other sludge, into a pelletized or granular fertilizer, as well as a sludge converter for practicing the method. The sludge is dewatered to form sludge cake solids which are dried in a dryer, and then sorted with a sorter into a sorted product comprising oversized, undersized, and standard sized product. A portion of the sorted product is recycled for mixing and sizing in a mixer with the dewatered sludge cake solids. To control dust and odors, cyclones and a condenser remove a substantial portion of the gaseous particulate matter and condensable gases from the converter, and any remaining noncondensates are burned in the heat source flame. A waste oil burning heat source supplies heat energy to the dryer.

Abstract: A treating apparatus for drying wet sludge in batches or continuous feed which is circulated through the apparatus. The apparatus includes conveyor means for circulating the wet sludge in a closed loop and means for heating and circulating the dryer air around and about the conveyor means without contacting the sludge itself. It also includes means for heating and circulating cleaning air through the sludge to dry the sludge as it is circulating in the closed loop. A sensor is provided for determining the moisture content of the sludge and means are provided for discharging the sludge from the conveyor circulating means when the moisture content in the sludge reaches a predetermined level. A measured amount of cleaning air is drawn into the conveyor means from the atmosphere and circulates through the sludge itself to assist in drying and cleaning the sludge. This air is then withdrawn from the interior of the conveying means and exhausted through a cleaning means into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A flow dryer is disclosed for comminuting and dehydrating matter using a stream of hot gas, said flow dryer being of the type employing an inlet duct in series with an agitator followed by a drying duct, the agitator having an inlet communicating with the inlet duct and an outlet communicating with the drying duct in order for hot gas to flow through the agitator, and control means operable to vary the residence time of matter in the agitator by varying the required exit characteristics for comminuted matter leaving the agitator through the agitator outlet.

Abstract: For an outdoor display of items for sale and for protecting such items against environmental elements such as dust, dirt, moisture, sunlight and temperature variations and the like, a lightweight box-like structure is formed of radiation reflecting material and is provided with venting apertures and includes manually movable transparent closure means formed in at least one side wall of the enclosing structure for affording ready visibility and access to items disposed within the enclosure.

Abstract: A method for making stir-in type halophosphate phosphors to obtain a fluffy, deagglomerated powder is disclosed. A wet phosphor filter cake is fed into a toroidal-shaped direct-fired glass flash dryer in which a hot gaseous stream is circulating. The wet phosphor particles are suspended in the stream while the remaining liquid is evaporated. The dried phosphor powder is ejected from the dryer by centrifugal force and collected. Recovery efficiency of the process is about 99.9 percent.

Abstract: A system is described for producing small uniform pellets of predetermined size which are substantially free of fines from mechanically dewatered sewage sludge and a means for controlling odor from the production of said pellets. The system includes a process and apparatus for mixing the dewatered sludge with previously dried recycled particles of said sludge. Drying the mixture in a thermal drier, separating a substantial portion of the dried solids from the drier off-gas. Clarifying said separated solids to separate the pellets of predetermined size, oversized pellets, and undersized pellets and particles, mechanically crushing the oversized pellets and admixing the crushed oversized pellets with the undersized pellets and particles and recycling said mixture for mixture with incoming dewatered sludge to the drier.

Abstract: A system is described for producing small uniform pellets of predetermined size which are substantially free of fines from mechanically dewatered sewage sludge. The system includes a process and apparatus for mixing the dewatered sludge with previously dried, recycled particles of said sludge, drying said mixture in a thermal drier, separating a substantial portion of the dried solids from the drier off gas, clarifying said separated solids to separate the pellets of predetermined size, oversize pellets, and undersize pellets and particles, mechanically crushing the oversize pellets and admixing the crushed oversize pellets with the undersize pellets and particles, and recycling said mixture by mixing said mixture with incoming dewatered sludge to the drier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying particulate material such as bark by forming a circulating bed of other material to be dried, which bed, being guided by wires, moves on an endless web around two wire turning rolls. Material to be dried is continuously fed onto the bed and dried material is continuously discharged from the innermost layers of the bed, such that the thickness of the bed remains constant. The material to be dried is discharged by means of a dosing cell roll, which is disposed in the opening between the horizontal section of the first wire loop and the horizontal section of the second wire loop.

Abstract: A process is described for combining the disposal of sewage sludge and lime sludge economically by recalcining the lime sludge to product lime for municipal water treatment, and utilizing the excess heat from the recalcining process to dry and pelletize sewage sludge or to supplement the heat required to dry and pelletize said sewage sludge. The sewage sludge pellets then are produced in uniform sizes and have excellent value as a soil conditioner.

Abstract: A system is described for producing small uniform pellets of predetermined size which are substantially free of fines from mechanically dewatered sewage sludge. The system includes a process and apparatus for mixing the dewatered sludge with previously dried, recycled particles of said sludge, drying said mixture in a thermal drier, separating a substantial portion of the dried solids from the drier off gas, clarifying said separated solids to separate the pellets of predetermined size, oversize pellets, and undersize pellets and particles, mechanically crushing the oversize pellets and admixing the crushed oversize pellets with the undersize pellets and particles, and recycling said mixture by mixing said mixture with incoming dewatered sludge to the drier.

Abstract: A system is described for producing small uniform pellets of predetermined size which are substantially free of fines from mechanically dewatered sewage sludge. The system includes a process and apparatus for mixing the dewatered sludge with previously dried, recycled particles of said sludge, drying said mixture in a thermal drier, separating a substantial portion of the dried solids from the drier off gas, clarifying said separated solids to separate the pellets of predetermined size, oversize pellets, and undersize pellets and particles, mechanically crushing the oversize pellets and admixing the crushed oversize pellets with the undersize pellets and particles, and recycling said mixture by mixing said mixture with incoming dewatered sludge to the drier.

Abstract: An improved method for mixing and/or drying particulate material is achieved with a housing having a substantially cylindrical portion and a tapered portion arranged coaxially therewith. A motor-driven rotor is arranged within the housing and is provided with a plurality of impeller blades which are affixed at one end to the shaft member. The impeller blades extend substantially radially outwardly toward the internal surface of the housing means. Each blade has a dual pitch characteristic which, in combination with a direction or rotation permits establishment of first and second flows of the fluidized material in opposite directions in the housing. The first and second flows are combined in the tapered section of the housing wherein there is provided a terminating impeller which agitates the combined flows in response to rotation of the central shaft. A material flow of the particulate material with sufficient velocity will fluidize the material being mixed or dryed.

Abstract: This invention relates to solar grain drying apparatus in general, and more specifically to a windmill powered grain circulating conveyor mechanism used in conjunction with a solar heat source to accomplish a slow uniform drying of the contents of a grain bin; and having a unique conveyor support and rotation imparting mechanism, that insures that the grain lifted from the bottom of the grain bin, will be uniformly distributed around the periphery of the bin to promote the drying process.

Abstract: A combination surge and drying apparatus is described which includes first and second bins, a jacket surrounding the first bin for passage of a hot fluid therethrough, and air coils positioned within the jacket to be heated by the hot fluid. Air within the coils is directed into and through a hollow, apertured auger positioned to discharge material from the first bin to the second bin. An overflow port is included for returning excess material from the discharge auger back to the first bin to handle surges in demand for the material and also to facilitate drying.

Abstract: A body of pulverulent material is confined in a receptacle, and a screw conveyor having a vertical axis conveys a predetermined quantity of the material per unit of time in the upward direction. The amount of the pulverulent material which is being conveyed is such that it fills the space between the turns of the helical conveyor screw of the screw conveyor, which is surrounded by a jacket, only in part, thus leaving a passage in the screw conveyor through which a stream of drying air is conveyed in contact with the pulverulent material so that the drying air withdraws moisture from the material. The rotational speed and/or the pitch or spacing of the consecutive turns of the conveyor screw is so selected that only such an amount of the pulverulent material enters through an opening in the jacket of the screw conveyor while the space between two consecutive turns is juxtaposed with the opening as to only partially fill such a space.

Abstract: Process and device for convectively drying grannular bulk material in a silo. A hot gas jet is vertically blown upward through a jet nozzle of jet aperture (orifice), a tube having a wall closed over is entire length is inserted into the bulk material coaxially with the axis of the vertical gas jet, the tube being lowered up to a particular distance above the bottom of the silo, in such a way that continuously an amount of the descending bulk material is entrained by the recycling gas jet and is blown into the vertically introduced upwardly directed jet of hot drying gas and the tube is of such a length that it projects with its top above the bulk material.

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: Semi-insulating granular bed material in a spout inlet region of a spouted bed vessel between a draft tube and a portion of the vessel base section adjacent a fluid inlet is aligned along the force lines of an imposed localized electric field to thereby afford improved control over spout inlet conditions which affect processes carried out in the spouted bed device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for drying particulate material wherein the particulate material is passed through an enclosed chamber. A heated fluid is introduced into a portion of the enclosed chamber to heat and absorb the moisture from the particulate material. A cooling fluid is introduced into a portion of the enclosed chamber to cool and absorb moisture from the heated particulate material. The particulate material is recirculated through the enclosed chamber until the desired degree of drying is achieved.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor in which a grate is disposed in a housing for receiving a single bed of particulate material. The interior of the housing below the grate is divided into a plurality of zones and air is selectively passed through portions of the grate to fluidize corresponding portions of the bed above the zones. A plurality of pipes are provided in the bed for receiving excess particulate material accumulating in various portions of the bed and for blowing air into said latter portion, to reduce the build-up of particulate material in the bed.

Abstract: Variable control is achieved over processes involving the spouting of magnetizable granular material in a draft tube-equipped spouted bed device through the application of a localized magnetic field in a spout inlet region of the device between an inlet of the draft tube and a portion of the device interior surface adjacent an associated fluid inlet.

Abstract: A dryer system, such as is used in a pulverizing mill assembly, includes a hot gas generator which supplies drying gas to the starting point for a gas circulation system. The drying gas passes through the circulation system commingling with particles to be dried. The dried particles are removed whereupon the system gas flow is divided into a return portion and a spent portion for expulsion to ambient. Part of the system return flow is further freed of particles, compressed, and supplied to the hot gas generator as secondary gas. The return gas flow into the generator is regulated to control hot gas temperature in response to generator flow temperature. In addition, hot gas temperature may be controlled in response to system gas temperature by regulation of fresh primary air flow to the generator. Exhaust gases from the hot gas generator are introduced into the system return flow at the circulation starting point to repeat the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for continuous countercurrent contacting with magnetically stabilized fluidized beds. More particularly, the invention relates to the operation of a magnetically stabilized bed with continuous solid addition and removal. The bed particles which include a magnetizable component are stabilized against gas by-passing and solids back-mixing (except possibly for the flow or movement of the solids near entrance or exit ports or near fluid injection zones) during countercurrent contacting by the use of an applied magnetic field. The process of the invention is particularly suited for carrying out separation processes. The use of the applied magnetic field in such processes enables one to use small size fluidizable, adsorbent particles without encountering high pressure drops.

Abstract: In treatment of aqueous solutions and suspensions of radioactive waste through a step of drying and pulverizing the aqueous solutions and suspensions and a successive step of compressing and solidifying the resulting powders of radioactive waste, a step of measuring a water content of the powders is provided between the step of drying and pulverizing and the step of compressing and solidifying. When the measured water content of the powders fails to satisfy a predetermined water content, the powders are eliminated from a system of the treatment without passing through the step of compressing and solidifying.

Abstract: In a fluidized bed dryer or reactor in which particles are coated or aggregated to form granules, oversized particles are withdrawn and separated from the product of a desired granule size, the oversized particles are pulverized, and the pulverized particles are returned to the fluidized bed for further granulation.