Abstract: A spiral conveyor for positively driving a conveyor belt along a helical path. The spiral conveyor includes a rotating cylindrical tower with parallel drive members extending from the bottom to the top of the tower on its periphery. Each drive member includes an outwardly protruding ridge that varies in height from the bottom to the top of the tower. The variations in height facilitate the belt's entry onto and exit from the tower and robust, positive driving engagement with the inside edge of the belt along the majority of its path along the tower.

Abstract: A round dryer for drying workpieces has a helically revolving workpiece passage in a work container and is provided with a heating device. The work container is closed at its upper side.

Abstract: Electric-powered, closed-loop, continuous-feed, endothermic energy-conversion systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the presently disclosed energy-conversion system includes a shaftless auger. In another embodiment, the presently disclosed energy-conversion system includes a drag conveyor. In yet another embodiment, the presently disclosed energy-conversion system includes a distillation and/or fractionating stage. The endothermic energy-conversion systems and methods feature mechanisms for natural resource recovery, refining, and recycling, such as secondary recovery of metals, minerals, nutrients, and/or carbon char.

Abstract: A spiral oven and a method of cooking a food product in a spiral oven using a cooking medium wherein (a) the food product is conveyed within the oven cooking chamber by a spiral conveyor having a plurality of spiral flites and (b) the cooking medium is discharged either upwardly and/or downwardly within, or laterally into, one or more vertical gaps between adjacent pairs of spiral flites using one or more delivery duct structures which extend inside the interior of the cooking chamber.

Abstract: The installation of prefabricated drains in a horizontal, generally co-planar pattern below the surface of the CCR with suction or a vacuum to withdraw water from the CCR material to lower the water level down to the level of the prefabricated drains below the CCR surface. Dewatering may be coupled with imparting vibrations to the material to further promote both additional dewatering and compaction of the CCR material in the pond. A suitably graded bottom ash, fly ash, sand or large-diameter-solid particle layer may be added on top of the horizontal drains to enhance dewatering of finer CCR material.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus has a housing, an internal basket and a drive mechanism on the housing for rotating the basket to process food (e.g., spinning water from food) in the housing. The drive mechanism has an operating lever, a gearwheel arranged to be rotated by the lever and the basket for rotating the basket, and a centrifugal clutch located between the lever and the gearwheel for transmitting a rotational drive force from the lever to the gearwheel. A brake mechanism on the housing has a braking member for frictional engagement with the gearwheel to stop rotation of the basket. The drive mechanism may rotate the basket selectively in opposite directions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device (01) for dewatering and drying a mixture made of plastic granulate and water, having at least one mixture intake (02), through which the mixture is supplied to the device (01), having at least one water outlet (08), through which the precipitated water is removed from the device (01), having at least one granulate outlet (13), through which the dried granulate is removed from the device (01), the device (01) having a dewatering line (06), along which the mixture is dewatered, and the device (01) having a drying line (12), along which the dewatered granulate is dried.

Abstract: Various embodiments and methods relating to moving a printed upon web along bowed segments of a web path through at least three consecutive turns in a same direction are disclosed.

Abstract: A device to bring a gas into contact with a particulate solid bulk material, comprising a first and a second tubular, radially gas-permeable element (1, 2) having different diameters and which each define a central axis, wherein one of the elements is essentially coaxially placed in the second element, wherein the elements (1, 2) internally define a ring-shaped shaft (30) for a material (40) that is to be contacted by the gas, wherein the elements have essentially vertically oriented axes, a ventilation device (50) for compelling the gas radially through the shaft and the material, a first device (41) for addition of the material to an upper end of the shaft (30) and a second device (31-36) for output of dried material from the lower end of the shaft. Driving means (12) are provided for internal displacement of the elements (1, 2). At least one of the walls is provided with at least one screw line ramp which maintains a high porosity and a controlled feeding of the material.

Abstract: A biomass drying system includes a rotary biomass dryer that includes a helically threaded auger shaft rotatably driven by a prime mover, such as an electric motor. No external source of heat is required to dry a wet biomass material that is supplied to an input of the biomass dryer. Instead, the helical threads on the shaft have a variable width, designed to gradually increase the compression applied as the biomass material is advanced through a generally cylindrical bore in the biomass dryer. A variable compression nozzle is disposed at a distal end of the bore and can be adjusted to achieve a desired level of a parameter such as the moisture content of the dried biomass material produced by the system. The variable compression nozzle, which can be automatically controlled, includes longitudinally extending segments that are forced radially inwardly to increase the compression force applied to the biomass material.

Abstract: A nozzle for distributor devices of granule's growth liquid substance in fluid bed granulators, is distinguished by the fact that it comprises a duct (2) having, at one end, at least one inlet opening (3) for a flow (F) of a chosen granule's growth liquid substance, and, at the other end, a supply opening (5) for such substance, a gaseous flow distributor (6) externally associated to the duct (2) in predetermined spaced relationship from the supply opening (5) and in fluid communication with the inside of the duct (2), and emulsifying means (8) associated to the inlet opening (3) and the distributor (6) to obtain, inside the duct (2), an emulsion of the gaseous flow in the growth liquid substance.

Abstract: A rotary particle dryer has a shaft extending along an axis and a hollow drum coaxially and spacedly surrounding the shaft and rotatable about the axis in a direction. A set of axially extending inner baffles fixed to the shaft extend radially outward therefrom and each form at least one angularly open inner pocket. A set of axially extending outer baffles fixed to the drum extend radially inward therefrom and each form at least two angularly open outer pockets. Structure mechanically connects the inner baffles directly with the outer baffles.

Abstract: A method of treating drill cuttings containing a detectable amount of hydrocarbon-based drilling fluid comprises injecting a non-toxic additive to the cuttings and mixing the cuttings and additive to the point where the amount of hydrocarbon-based drilling fluid is less than 1% by weight. The method of treating cuttings includes the additional step of taking the mixture of cuttings and additive and disposing of the mixture directly to the soil, preferably in the immediate vicinity of the well site. A system is provided for carrying out the method, including structure for adding a quantity of an chemical additive to cuttings carrying a quantity of drilling fluid. The system further provides a controller to determine the cuttings load within the system, and controls to vary the quantity of treatment chemicals added to the cuttings according to the cuttings load.

Abstract: A system for removing from a particle mass a liquid permeating the particle mass includes a vaporizing stage having a space wherein the pressure is less than the pressure of the particle mass. As the particle mass enters the vaporizing stage, the lower pressure causes much of the liquid to vaporize. Once vaporized, the vapor can be removed with a pump. A first stripping stage receives the particle mass from the first stage at a first particle inlet port and discharges the particle mass at a first particle outlet port. A first stripping gas inlet near the first particle outlet port of the first stripping stage injects an inert stripping gas into the particle mass. The inert gas mixes with remaining elements of the liquid and any entrained gas formed by the liquid, and the mixture is discharged at a gas outlet near the first particle outlet port. A second stripping stage having construction and operation different from the first stripping stage may receive the particle mass.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating items such as for freezing, drying, or baking food items, includes an inclined track or trough with a perforated bottom through which pressurized treating gas flows to raise the item and hold it suspended above the bottom of the trough to allow the item to move by gravity down the trough as the treating gas, such as a cooling or refrigerating gas when the item is being cooled or frozen or a hot gas when the item is to be cooked, flows under, around, and over the item to be treated to thereby treat such item. It is preferred that the trough be a spiral trough surrounding a chamber containing pressurized treating fluid which flows from the chamber into a plenum under the perforated trough bottom, through the perforations and around the item and then out of the trough. The items can be stopped in the trough so that they remain for a predetermined treatment time.

Abstract: An improved stripper section design is provided for use in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) units. The stripper section contains means for imparting rotational movement to the FCC cracking catalyst as it traverses the stripping section. In one embodiment the stripper section contains at least one rotation vane that is preferably disposed on the surface of a stripper section tray. The rotation vane provides angular, rotational movement to the cracking catalyst as it traverses the stripper section. Vertical movement is imparted to the cracking catalyst due to gravity and radial movement is imparted to the catalyst due to the slanted nature of the tray. Through the use of the rotation vanes the contact between the catalyst particles and the stripping steam is increased, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the FCC operation.

Abstract: An improved support ring is disclosed for a polymer resin pellet dryer screen of the type which includes cylindrical screen sections interconnected by two semicircular bands forming a support ring or connecting band. The support ring is positioned in spaced relation to an exterior housing by brackets, and the screen encloses a driven bladed rotor for removing water from a slurry of water and pellets. The improved support ring comprises a two piece annular ring including a generally perpendicular, rigid flange attached to the exterior of a semicircular band pair. The flange rigidities the bands of the ring and supports the adjacent ends of the screen sections from the external housing to maintain the screen in cylindrical configuration and in concentric relation to the bladed rotor rotatably positioned within the screen.

Abstract: Directly heated rotary drums are used in the drying of pourable goods such as wood chips or strands. Drums are provided with built-in fixtures such as cross fixtures, in order to ensure good heat transmission from the drying gas to the goods. The invention comprises a design for a rotary drum (4) which enables good transmission of drying gas to the goods and which is cheap to produce and assemble in comparison with cross fixtures. According to the invention the built-in fixtures in the rotary drum (4) extend radially in the direction of the middle of the drum, starting from the perimeter, over an area of 60 to 85% of the radius of the rotary drum (4), form at least two pockets, and run, apart from the area close to the perimeter, substantially in the direction of rotation (25), in front of the radial starting from their point of attachment. These radially shaped built-in fixtures enable constant distribution of the goods over the cross-section and are substantially cheaper to manufacture and assemble.

Abstract: A continuous drying system for flake-formed or granular solid, of which bottom inside surface is semi-cylindrical and arranged almost horizontally, comprises drying system main body having a supplying means of a drying object at one end thereof and having a discharging means at the other end thereof, and a coil-formed sending apparatus arranged rotatably inside the main body, and a bar-formed or blade-formed stirring member arranged between the sending apparatus transversely. The drying object is transferred by said coil-formed sending apparatus, and a part of the drying object is retreated while stirring by scooping up the drying object with the stirring member along the inside surface of the main body of the drying object. The transfer of the drying object is delayed in comparison with the rotation of the sending apparatus.

Abstract: A device for the aerobic treatment, conditioning and/or drying of moist, substantially solid or paste-like, at least partly organic material, has a vessel containing paired, Venetian-blind-like walls, with adjustable blades, forming at least one reaction chamber, at least one air inlet chamber and at least one air discharge chamber, and containing supports which are in spatially staggered array inside the reaction chamber in such a way that they provide the best possible pressure relief for the filling. The invention also relates to a process using said device.

Abstract: Device for the thermal treatment of bulk material with a screw conveyor transporting the bulk material which is equipped with infrared heat radiators in a tempering zone, characterized in that the infrared heat radiators are arranged in the screw conveyors in the central area of the rotation diameter. The device is also characterized in that the infrared heat radiators are mounted in a radiation-permeable screw shaft. The walls of a screw trough of the screw conveyor have an infrared-reflecting coating or are made of an infrared-reflecting material.

Abstract: An apparatus for air-treatment of products comprises an endless conveyor belt following through part of its length a helical path forming a stack of tiers. Side plates at one longitudinal edge of the conveyor belt form an outer cylinder wall delimiting the stack radially outwards. An inner cylinder wall delimits the stack radially inwards. Thereby, a central space is defined by the inner cylinder wall and an annular space is defined between the outer cylinder wall and the inner cylinder wall. An end closure substantially adjoins the outer cylinder wall at one end of the stack. Means are provided for blowing air through the central space towards the end closure and back through the annular space between the outer and inner cylinder walls for air-treatment of products carried by the conveyor belt in the helical path. The air is conditioned and blown through the annular space between the outer and inner cylinder walls.

Abstract: An oven comprises a housing with at least two zones, which are each provided with a device for setting a cooking state in the relevant zone, such as the temperature and relative humidity, as well as a conveyor belt, which runs through each of the zones and on which food products to be heated can be held, which conveyor belt has at least one path with a plurality of windings. These two zones are situated one above the other. Each zone has at least one ventilation device and also a heating device for circulating hot air through that zone and parallel to the boundary region between two zones.

Abstract: A spout-fluid bed drying system and process is comprised of a spout-fluid bed dryer having a conical shaped lower section provided with a packing of heat exchange particles. A cyclone separator is connected to the top of the dryer with separated particles collected by a receiver connected to the leg of the cyclone. A vapor fan compresses the air-vapor mixture before it goes to the heat recuperator and mixing chamber. A tube-shell type heat exchanger, wherein effluent gases from the vapor fan are preheated with heat exchange with the outcoming high temperature gases. A combustion and incineration chamber wherein a natural gas burner is installed at the top and the high temperature flame is used to incinerate the effluent gases introduced from the annulus channel of the chamber to have the odors and VOCs destroyed.

Abstract: A method of drying organic or inorganic material or a mixture thereof, said material containing a liquid or liquids, which comprises introducing said material interiorly of a rotating rotor carrying on its periphery oscillating rotor blades, said rotor rotating about the axis of a process chamber having an inner surface with substantially axially extending ribs, said rotating rotor causing the material introduced interiorly of said rotor to be propelled radially outwardly of said axis of rotation and to expel liquid or liquids from said materials, and the oscillating rotor blades and the opposing ribs causing vibrational forces and turbulence to be induced into the outwardly flowing liquid so as to form a mist. Apparatus for carrying out said method is also described.

Abstract: Single or multi-screw indirect-heating screw conveyor desorbers having a heating gas guide enclosed by the screw shaft wall (single-wall screw shafts) or located between a screw shaft wall and an internal chamber wall (double-walled screw shafts). Predetermined amounts of cooling and diluting fluid may be added to a heating gas stream to control the maximum temperature thereof. Screw shaft support bearings and rotary drive components may be cooled, and conveyor wall and/or screw shaft surfaces (e.g.. screw flights and interflight surfaces) may be automatically cleaned during screw shaft rotation by hardened bits and/or breaker devices. Cleaning operations may also involve the interaction of two counter-rotating conveyor screw shafts having mutually interleaved and opposite-handed external flights.

Abstract: Improvements in centrifugal pellet dryers and more particularly to improvements in the rotor structure which includes a shaft, pellet lifter assemblies and supporting spiders which support the pellet lifter assemblies from the shaft. Each spider is made of a one-piece plate laser cut for strength, balance and simplicity. Mounting of the pellet lifter assemblies on the spider, and the spider on the shaft, are configured for easy assembly and maintenance.

Abstract: A centrifugal pellet dryer is provided which has a housing, a generally cylindrical mesh member vertically disposed within the housing and a rotor that is coaxial with the mesh member. The rotor has lifters which tend to move a slurry of pellets and water upwardly and outwardly relative to the cylindrical mesh member so that water moving radially through the mesh member is separated from the pellets which are retained by the mesh member. The rotor has a hollow interior portion that communicates with the bottom of the rotor so that the slurry of pellets of water are introduced into the dryer through the hollow interior of the rotating rotor. The slurry of pellets and water is distributed uniformly about the periphery of the mesh member by the rotating rotor and the rotation of the rotor enhances the centrifugal force of the slurry to initially dewater the slurry more effectively as the water moves radially outwardly through the mesh member.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of solid particles having a substantially circular metal coil with at least two turns helically would around a vertical axis and a central shaft, a lateral pipe for introducing particles and a lateral pipe for drawing off particles, a low voltage current tapping point for heating a turn of the coil by Joule effect to 20.degree.-1000.degree. C., an assembly of two pipes with a lateral pipe for introducing a fluid and a lateral pipe for drawing off a fluid such that the fluid can flow through at least one turn of the coil and means for imparting vibrations to the shaft and coil to advance the particles.

Abstract: A process for removing moisture from coal comprises transforming the coal to coal fines, polarizing the coal fines to produce an electrical charge differential between the relatively non-conductive water and the relatively conductive coal particles, and removing the water by admixing the coal fines in a drying chamber with a dry gaseous mixture having a different electrical state from the moisture, such that the moisture is selectively attracted to the gaseous media, and then separating the moisture laden gaseous media from the coal fines and collecting the fines. The admixture is accomplished with a vertically oriented cylindrical drying chamber wherein the fines are introduced at the top of the chamber and settle downwardly and the dry, gaseous media is directed upwardly through the chamber in a swirling helical path.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drying apparatus using a rotary spiral blade to put wet substance as bean-curd refuse into vigorous circulation in the vessel of the drying apparatus, thereby bringing the substance into contact with the heat conduction surface of the drying apparatus at an increased efficiency. The vessel has a steam jacket surrounding therearound for heating the inner wall of the vessel, thereby providing heat conduction surface thereon. The blade may be heated by steam, providing extra heat conduction surface.

Abstract: A bakery oven is disclosed which includes an oven enclosure having opposed end and side portions, with conveyor inlet and outlet openings formed therein. An endless center drive chain conveyor is provided which includes a first section located outside of the enclosure with portions thereof passing through the inlet and outlet openings. The conveyor includes a second main portion located within the enclosure which follows a generally spiral path of travel including a first sequential set of spiral flights having a generally continuously increasing elevation rising in the enclosure to a predetermined elevation, a second set of spiral flights having a generally continuously decreasing elevation in the enclosure, with the flights of said second set being located between the flights of the first set.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus is disclosed which includes a food conditioning enclosure having opposed end and side portions, with conveyor inlet and outlet openings formed therein. An endless conveyor is provided which includes a first section located outside of the enclosure with portions thereof passing through the inlet and outlet openings. The conveyor includes a second main portion located within the enclosure which follows a generally spiral path of travel including a first sequential set of spiral flights having a generally continuously increasing elevation rising in the enclosure to a predetermined elevation, a second set of spiral flights having a generally continuously decreasing elevation in the enclosure, with the flights of said second set being located between the flights of the first set.

Abstract: Two endless belts are formed of steel mesh. The belts are run side-by-side spiralling into the center of the apparatus, reversed and spirally wound out of the apparatus with the outgoing convolutions interleaved between the incoming convolutions. The belts present an inlet at one side of the apparatus and an outlet at the other side of the apparatus. The web is fed into the inlet and conveyed to the outlet. Two or more spiral sections can be run in tandem.

Abstract: A method and means for drying or dewatering bulk goods in which the goods are transported through a drying space by means of a helical vibrator conveyor in the presence of an insert gas. The moisture is displaced by a fluid bath contained in the drying space and consisting of a liquid which is lighter than water and is immiscible with water. A conduit is provided for eliminating the displaced moisture in the vicinity of the floor region of the drying space. The invention is particularly suited for dewatering bulk goods that are to receive electro-plated aluminum coatings with an oxygen-free, water-free aluminum-organic electrolyte.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a machine for the continuous roasting of coffee, comprising transportation means having a product resting surface through which air is able to pass, for transferring the said coffee across closed surroundings into which hot air is injected; in practice, the said transportation means are constituted by a channel, with walls through some of which air can pass, shaped in the form of a cylindrical spiral on a vertical axis and bounded by a cylindrical casing coaxial thereto that is closed at the top and bottom and delimits the said enclosed surroundings; a vibrator causes the said coffee to rise up along the said spiral channel while the said hot air is forced, both by the said walls through which air can pass and by those through which air cannot pass, to follow a spiral path in the course of which the said hot air hits and envelops completely from below the said coffee, thereby performing the operations of roasting and hulling.

Abstract: In a heat treatment furnace with a circular charge conveyor system, bar-shaped charge support elements are provided and said support elements are mobile with respect to each other both in a vertical direction and in the direction of charge travel. Said support elements are arranged substantially in a radial direction and/or in a circle or in sectors of a circle. Several such charge support elements arranged radially are preferably assembled to form fork-type elements. Said support elements may also be arranged in a plurality of vertical planes to form a continuous or a discontinuous helical-type charge conveyor system. The present invention increases throughput, if compared with a conventional furnace of the same size, reduces energy requirements and thus improves conventional pusher-type furnaces for heat treatment in a controlled atmosphere.

Abstract: Apparatus for dewatering and drying plastic granulate comprising a multistage dewatering rotor having conveyor and aerating blades and surrounded by a screening member located within a housing between a product inlet and a product outlet. In order to simplify the handling of a wide variety of plastic granulate with only a small amount of space being required, a collection container which is open at its top coaxially surrounds the first stage of the dewatering rotor and accumulates separated water in a reservoir region for discharge by a suction pump. The product inlet discharges into a feed vessel secured in the collection container. The first stage of the dewatering rotor is provided on its circumference with worm segments of increasing pitch in the direction of granulate conveyance.

Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning a fluid stream or a flow of granular solids at high volume and low velocity comprising a substantially closed cylindrical body having its side walls defined by a permeable helical trough joined to a vertically inclined baffle; means to convey the fluid through the body and out through the permeable trough; in a fluid conditioning apparatus, the fluid being conditioned upon passing the fluid through the helical trough or through the helical trough and a layer of particulate supported thereon; and in a solids conditioning apparatus, the solids being supported on the helical trough, and being conditioned upon passing fluid through the solids and through the helical trough.

Abstract: An apparatus for air-treatment of products includes an endless foraminous conveyor belt for the products which is adapted within the space for the air-treatment to follow at least one path extending helically in several turns, said path for the foraminous conveyor belt being defined by an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder and the air being disposed to flow through the passage situated between the cylinders from one end to the other end of the passage. According to the invention the air is also disposed to be supplied to the passage between the cylinders from the inner cylinder through perforations therein, the size of the perforations and/or the interspace therebetween being so chosen that the air supply from the inner cylinder continuously varies in the longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: A pellet dryer is disclosed for removing plastic pellets from entraining water and drying the same. The rotating structure of the pellet dryer is essentially contained and supported on a door of a cabinet, so that the opening of the cabinet door exposes the pellet dryer structure and the interior of the cabinet for cleaning.

Abstract: A drying apparatus includes a rotary drum having a vertical axis and adapted for one-way revolution. A conveyor is spirally wound round the rotary drum and driven thereby. A casing covers the conveyor, with a chamber provided between the inner surface of the casing and the outer side of the conveyor, and the casing surrounding the whole or a part of the circumference of the conveyor. Hot blast is supplied to the chamber. Blast pipes connected to the chamber blow the hot blast upon the upper and lower surfaces of the conveyor.

Abstract: Through a confined chamber replete with saturated or overheated steam, a textile sheet material such as a woven cloth is continually processed, under concurrent emanation of microwaves, along a continuous course made up of a plurality of substantially concentrically arranged, substantially circular sections of different diameters, for uniform treatment over entire length and thickness. The treatment can be used as a part of a continuous textile process.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for drying pulverulent material, for example, coal slurry wherein the slurry, after preliminary drying, is introduced into a vibrating chamber carrying internal flights and subjected to vacuum to remove moisture. A pair of such containers may be provided so that slurry may alternately be introduced into one container while the other container is vibrating under vacuum so as to provide a continuous drying method.

Abstract: An industrial dryer particularly suited for small parts has a tub to contain the parts and a helical ramp along the interior tub wall. Vibratory motion makes the small parts move along the ramp. The tub has a double wall, the inside space between the walls defining an air plenum. The interior wall of the tub is formed with exit spaces through which the hot air emerges and blows over the parts as they move along the ramp. The plenum is continuously supplied with hot air to replace the losses. A unique method of forming the ramp from stair-step segments and partitions forms special conduits which focus hot air streams upon the parts as they move along the ramp in staircase fashion.

Abstract: Heating for a vibratory spiral conveyor used to react powdery and gaseous substances is accomplished by an expanded metal resistance heater element positioned between adjacent turns of the conveyor.

Abstract: In a conveying device with an endless conveyor belt, for the conveyance of products, the conveyor belt is adapted, over a part of its length, to follow a path comprising a number of superimposed, helically extending belt tiers. To this end, the conveyor belt comprises mutually articulated and interadjustable link means consisting of a bottom part and links disposed at the ends thereof and forming the two sides of the belt. The links on the two sides of the endless conveyor belt are formed as spacers whose upper edge portions are adapted to bear against the lower edge portions of the links, likewise formed as spacers, disposed on the two sides of the overlying tier of the endless conveyor belt in order that such an overlying belt tier be supported by the immediately underlying tier of the conveyor belt.