Abstract: A vacuum drying apparatus has a rigid bin structure within a flexible membrane liner arranged to store particulate material therein. An exhaust passage and air inlet passage communicate through the envelope in sealed relationship with the envelope. The air inlet passage is adjustably flow restricted relative to the exhaust passage so as to enable a flow through material in the liner when applying vacuum pressure to the exhaust passage, for example using a centrifugal fan. The air inlet passage communicating with an upper manifold within the upper portion of the bin structure and the exhaust passage communicating with a lower manifold within a lower portion of the bin structure.

Abstract: A system for drying grain in a storage bin, having an air injector for injecting external air into the bin interior to displace moist warm air toward an air extractor and the air extractor for extracting moist warm air from the bin interior and directing it outside the bin.

Abstract: An improved grain dryer is presented having a mixed-flow heating section having a plurality of inlet ducts connected to the plenum that facilitate air flow into the grain column from the heated and pressurized heat plenum, and a plurality of exhaust ducts connected to openings in the exterior wall that facilitate air flow out of the grain column. Outer most ducts of the inlet and exhaust ducts, which are positioned closest to end walls of the grain column, are configured to reduce bridging or grain between the outer most ducts and the end walls of the grain column.

Abstract: An assembly for saturating or aerating a medium with fluid. At least one hollow cylinder having gates and vents embedded within a grain mass. A target section of grain mass is identified and the gates and vents activated to provide influent flow to the target section in both vertical and horizontal directions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices systems and methods for removing moisture from a material via radio frequency electromagnetic wave exposure. A moisture-removal system can include having spaced apart a first and a second electrical conductor extending along a same first direction, each of the first and second electrical conductor comprising opposing broad top and bottom sides, the broad bottom side of the first electrical conductor facing the broad top side of the second electrical conductor. The system includes a material containing moisture at least partially filling the space between the first and the second electrical conductor. The system further includes at least one first wire attached to a first radio frequency generator and to the first end of the first electrical conductor. The system also includes at least one second wire attached to the electrical ground of the first radio frequency generator to the first end of the second electrical conductor.

Abstract: An injection molding device includes: a material storage unit storing a material; a drive motor; a plasticization unit including a rotor that rotates by rotation of the drive motor, a barrel facing the rotor, and a heater, and configured to plasticize and flow out the material supplied from the material storage unit; a nozzle through which the material after plasticization is injected toward a mold from the plasticization unit; and a material drying unit configured to collect waste heat of the drive motor and dry the material in the material storage unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a facility for forming a wood plastic composite by mixing and extruding wood powder and a polymer resin. According to a facility of the present disclosure, in a process of forming a wood plastic composite, gas and water vapor contained in wood powder and polymer resin are efficiently removed, and thus, a coupling force between wood powder and polymer resin increases, and also, wood powder is uniformly dispersed inside polymer resin, and thus, physical properties of a wood plastic composite to be formed is not degraded, and in addition, since there is no stagnant section while molten liquid of wood powder and polymer resin passes through each apparatus in the facility, wood powder is prevented from carbonizing or polymer resin is prevented from solidifying, and thus, physical properties of the wood plastic composite to be formed are maintained constant.

Abstract: A grain dryer has a heated drying section with an upper plenum and a cooling section. A heater is positioned between the lower plenum and the upper plenum, wherein air is heated by the heater as air in the lower plenum is pulled through the heater and into the upper plenum. A fan takes a suction from a ductwork on the heated drying section to draw a vacuum in the upper and lower plenums. Grain enters the dryer and flows into the drying section where the grain is exposed to heated air being pulled from the upper plenum into the ductwork. Grain flows from the drying section into the cooling section where the grain is exposed to cooling air being pulled through outer walls of the cooling section into the lower plenum. Grain flows from the cooling section into the unloading section.

Abstract: An apparatus for chilling a dry ingredient consists of a housing having an interior space through which the dry ingredient flows; a compression ring positioned in the interior space and through which the dry ingredient flows, the compression ring positionable within the interior space and having a region constructed to coact with the housing for providing an adjustable passageway through which a cryogen is introduced into the dry ingredient; and an injection port in fluid communication with the adjustable passageway for introducing the cryogen into the adjustable passage. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drying system, and according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drying system comprising a transfer conveyor for transporting particles, a particle dispersing device including a rotary member provided at one side of the transfer conveyor and having a rotation center, a drive part for rotating the rotary member and a particle supply part mounted on the rotary member having particles stored therein, and a heating part for drying the particles on the transfer conveyor in a transfer process, wherein the heating part comprises a heat exchanger and a blast fan, and is provided such that air discharged from the blast fan is supplied to the transfer conveyor after passing through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: There is provided a grain dryer in which the whole of a dryer main body can be made effective use of whether the grain dryer is used in either a circulation drying mode or in a continuous flow drying mode, the grain dryer including a dryer main body into which grains are loaded, a hot air chamber provided at one side of the dryer main body to supply hot air into an interior of the dryer main body, and an exhaust air chamber provided at the other side of the dryer main body to discharge hot air from the interior of the dryer main body, wherein the hot air chamber and the exhaust air chamber each have a plurality of upper and lower independent spaces, the corresponding spaces of the hot air chamber and the exhaust air chamber being disposed to be positioned substantially at a same height, and wherein the individual spaces of the hot air chamber communicate with corresponding hot air generators to execute separate supplies of hot air generated by the hot air generators into the individual spaces, and a height ra

Abstract: The present invention provides a hay bale dryer, comprising: a platform, the platform dimensioned to support the hay bale; a spike rack movably coupled to the platform, the spike rack having a plurality of spikes, each spike having a plurality of slots and each spike dimensioned to penetrate through the hay bale; a fan coupled to the spike rack and operative to blow air through the slots in the spikes, wherein the spike rack is raised to permit loading and unloading of the hay bale, and lowered to permit drying of the hay bale via the air blown through the spikes.

Abstract: An improved grain dryer is presented having a mixed-flow heating section having a plurality of inlet ducts connected to the plenum that facilitate air flow into the grain column from the heated and pressurized heat plenum, and a plurality of exhaust ducts connected to openings in the exterior wall that facilitate air flow out of the grain column. A tempering section is positioned below the heating section and includes solid walls that reduce air flow through the grain column. A cooling section is positioned below the tempering section and includes perforated walls that facilitate air flow through the grain column and into the plenum. In use, heated air is forced outward through the mixed-flow heating section heating and drying the grain and air is pulled through the cross-flow cooling section cooling the grain. Air pulled through the cross-flow cooling section is recycled into the mixed-flow heating section thereby recycling heat.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drying system control. A control system receives inputs and measurements and provides modulated outputs to a drying system, control subsystems, or a user interface. An energy ratio compares the optimal energy required to the actual energy applied is into the control system for a drying process and can be provided as a constraint for optimization. The energy ratio enables compensation for effects that environmental variables such as ambient humidity and temperature may have on system performance. The control system can modulate the energy supplied by the drying system to meet an energy ratio setpoint. Embodiments of the present disclosure can validate the effectiveness of the control system by monitoring material yield and utility consumption in real-time to optimize system performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalytic reactor suited for exothermal reactions with a radial process fluid flow and process fluid flow guides which ensures an extended fluid flow path and higher flow velocity and thereby enhanced cooling of the catalyst bed in the reactor.

Abstract: A grain dryer having a mixed-flow heating section, a tempering transition section, and a vacuum-cooled crossflow cooling section. A fan positioned on the end of the dryer creates a negative pressure in the cooling plenum that pulls air through the grain, warming the air while cooling the grain. This warmed air is pulled through the fan and then passed through a heater to bring it to appropriate drying temperature. This air is then pushed into a heating plenum, where it passes through a mixed-flow grain column, drying the grain, and then exhausted to ambient air.

Abstract: A grain dryer having a column with an interior wall, an exterior wall, an inlet and an outlet. The column has an upper heated pressurized plenum and a lower, low pressure, suction plenum. Attached to the interior wall within the column is a narrowing divider that increases the path of the heated air at the pressure gradient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a grain bin sensor cable including a plurality of mold members defining a mold cavity. A pre-formed cable with wires disposed therein is placed into the mold cavity, heated, and formed into a post-formed cable. The post-formed cable includes a recessed portion and a pair of end caps. Apertures are created within the recessed portion so as to expose a portion of the wires. The end caps are generally cone-shaped and include vertical walls. The post-formed cable is removed from the mold cavity and a sensor package is coupled to the wires exposed in the recessed portion and captured between the vertical walls of the end caps. A housing is coupled about the sensor package.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for blocking removal of an air-moving assembly from a chassis when in operational state. The apparatus includes a protective louver assembly having a louver(s) and an interlock element(s). The louver(s) is disposed at an air inlet or an air outlet of the air-moving assembly, and pivots between an operational and a quiesced orientation, dependent on presence or absence, respectively, of airflow through the air-moving assembly. The interlock element(s) is associated with the louver(s) to pivot with the louver(s) between the operational orientation and the quiesced orientation. In the operational orientation, the interlock element(s) blocks, at least in part, access to at least one fastener securing the air-moving assembly within the chassis, and thereby prevents removal of the air-moving assembly from the chassis when in the operational state.

Abstract: In some aspects, a device for apportioning granular samples includes a sample feeder defining a conduit, the conduit including a first opening to receive the granular samples and a second opening. The device includes a shuttle operably coupled to the sample feeder to receive the granular samples from the conduit via the second opening. The shuttle is configured to apportion the granular samples to incrementally enter a sample chamber to be analyzed. The device includes an outlet conduit fluidly coupled to the sample chamber and configured to permit the sample chamber to be evacuated.

Abstract: An internal staged suppression system for suppressing a hazard occurring in a grain dryer includes a plurality of vertical column sections and at least one spray head positioned radially inward within the interior of the grain dryer. The spray head includes a deflector cap that generates a substantially horizontal spray of water sufficient to reach the walls defining the grain columns.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a powder comprising one or more complexing agent salts of the general formula comprises atomizing an aqueous solution comprising the one or more complexing agent salts in the presence of a crystalline fine dust of the same complexing agent salts and a drying step, wherein the concentration of the one or more complexing agent salt is from 10 to 80% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous solution, with an upper limit for the average particle diameter of the crystalline fine dust which is lower by at least a factor of 2 than the lower limit of the average particle diameter of the powder obtained after the process, and the fraction of the crystalline fine dust is from 0.1 to 20% by weight, based on the weight of the powder obtained after the process.

Abstract: An actuator opens and closes a lid on a bulk storage container. The actuator may be activated remotely using a remote control. When actuated, the actuator will lift the lid so that it is clear of the structure, and will then rotate the lid in a horizontal plan about a vertical axis until the lid is rotated to uncover the opening. The axis of rotation is located near the perimeter of the opening, so that very little of the lid remains over the opening when in the open position. To close the lid from the open position, the remote control may then again be used to actuate the closing process. The closing process works in reverse of the opening process. Therefore, during closing, the lid will rotate back to its original orientation over the hole and then lower into the closed position.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a grain dryer screen includes a grain dryer screen supported within a grain bin and having a grain contacting surface opposing a grain debris contacting surface. A drying airflow path through the grain dryer screen is defined sequentially by the grain debris contacting surface and the grain contacting surface. A cleaning assembly includes a first cleaning arm mounted within the grain bin and disposed along the grain debris contacting surface. A cleaning assembly powering system is configured to move the first cleaning arm along a predetermined cleaning path relative to the grain debris contacting surface.

Abstract: A controller is coupled to a plurality of moisture sensors positioned within the grain bin at various spaced-apart locations. The controller determines a grain moisture level adjacent each moisture sensor and compares the grain moisture level to a predetermined maximum moisture level. The controller is coupled to a grain spreader that is configured to selectively distribute incoming grain into the grain bin and operates the spreader to distribute incoming grain to create a shortened airflow path through the grain that encompasses the moisture sensors having determined grain moisture levels above the predetermined maximum moisture level. The controller is coupled to a fan that is coupled to the grain bin and configured to provide airflow through the grain in the grain bin. The controller operates the fan to provide greater airflow through the grain along the shortened airflow path than is provided along airflow paths outside the shortened airflow path.

Abstract: A dryer burner apparatus includes a gas supply line that is fluidly coupled to a gas supply. A burner tube is fluidly coupled the gas supply line and has a top side and a bottom side. The burner tube has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough and the apertures are positioned in the bottom side. An air mixer is positioned below the burner tube. The air mixer has a plurality of air openings extending therethrough. A blower directs air upwardly to the burner tube so that the air can be heated by the burner tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved continuous vertical feed pistachio nut dryer that has an inner compartment with inner passageways and an infeed assembly with a batch hopper used in conjunction with an auger and pivotal gates to provide a structure configured to evenly fill the inner passageways along the length of the dryer.

Abstract: An apparatus for contacting a bed of particulate material with a cross flowing fluid, which maintains the bed of particulate material within a retention volume. The apparatus includes partitions for retaining particles, with apertures disposed within the partitions. The apertures are covered by louvers that extend above the edges of the apertures to prevent solid particles from spilling through inlet apertures.

Abstract: In a method and equipment for continuous sintering of pelletized mineral material, a partition wall (7, 8) arranged between two adjacent cooling chambers (4, 5; 5, 6) is in the height direction placed at a distance from the pellet bed (2), so that in between the partition wall (7, 8) and pellet bed (2), there is left a gap (s) that allows gas to flow between two adjacent cooling chambers (4, 5; 5; 6) through the gap (s) in order to equalize the pressure between the cooling chambers.

Abstract: A grain aeration assembly is provided for a hopper bottom bin, and includes a plurality of curved wall segments sized to pass through the manhole of the bin. The wall segments are assembled inside the bin to form a cylindrical tower extending upwardly. The wall segments include an internal frame and inner and outer screens. The tower is supported above the sloped floor of the bin by a plurality of legs. An air conduit extends between the tower and an exterior fan, which provides forced air into the space between the inner and outer screens of the wall segments. The air flows outwardly through the screens, while grain or stored material is prevented from passing through the screens into the wall segments.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved continuous vertical feed pistachio nut dryer that has an inner compartment defined by bulkhead walls formed of smooth and seamless outer walls of perforated sheet stock, and has an infeed chamber with a batch hopper used in conjunction with an auger to provide a structure configured to operate in a batch fill mode wherein the inner compartment is filled evenly along the length of the dryer.

Abstract: A grain turner for turning grain in a drying tower includes opposed generally vertical side walls and a generally vertical dividing plate (which is shorter than the side walls) extending between the side walls; the dividing plate defining inner and an outer vertical channels in a portion of the turner. An inner inclined plate is pivotally connected to one side wall to be within the inner channel and an outer inclined plate is connected to the other side wall to be within the outer channel. The inclined plates are pivotal between a first position in which they are inclined downwardly in a opposite widthwise directions and a second position in which they are generally adjacent their respective side walls. The inclined plates have a length such that when they are in the first position, their lower edges are proximate a bottom of the divider plate.

Abstract: An air inlet and outlet passage module for desiccation is formed in a hollow structure including a frame and two boards. The frame has a frame channel formed between frame sides and a duct cap on an outer side. The duct cap has an opening communicating with the frame channel and is coupled with an air duct to connect a plurality of air inlet and outlet passage modules in series. The duct cap not being coupled is sealed through a lid. The two boards are located at two corresponding sides of the frame and have a plurality of air vents formed thereon to facilitate air ventilation. Each air vent is formed at a diameter smaller than that of a grain to prevent crops from dropping into the module. The invention can be assembled and disassembled, and coupled in series or parallel easily to enhance drying efficiency and reduce energy waste.

Abstract: An apparatus is for directing a fluid into a radial reactor is and which maintains a bed of solid particulate material within a reactor. The apparatus comprises a duct for directing fluid into a reactor and has a screenless face for the egress of the fluid, while providing for the retention of solid particles.

Abstract: An apparatus for contacting a bed of particulate material with a cross flowing fluid, which maintains the bed of particulate material within a retention volume. The apparatus includes partitions for retaining particles, with apertures disposed within the partitions. The apertures are covered by shrouds that extend above the edges of the apertures to prevent solid particles from spilling through inlet apertures.

Abstract: This process embodies forcing air through grain and granular biological products using a high volume horizontal airflow from a central vertical pervious tube to one or more plenum chambers near the structure sidewall to dry or cool products. Cross-flow air movement can be supplied by either suction or pressure. This conditioning and drying method has advantages over conventional storage structures, especially where product depth is much greater than diameter. In this process, horizontal air typically moves only ? to ? of vertical distances. Horizontal airflow resistance through elongated seeds is 50-60 percent of vertical airflow. Power for horizontal airflow is typically 8-15% that of vertical airflow. Grain and seed drying costs will be 15-30% of high temperature drying. To enhance germination, storage and grain and seed quality, and to kill or exclude insect pests, ozone is applied to drying or aeration airstreams for treating stored products and storages.

Abstract: A combined plenum divider/hopper is provided for a grain drying tower. The divider/hopper is positioned in the drying tower proximate the heater for the drying tower and is operable to adjust the ratio of the length of the heating portion of the plenum to the length of the cooling portion of the plenum.

Abstract: An apparatus for contacting a bed of particulate material with a cross flowing fluid, which maintains the bed of particulate material within a retention volume. The apparatus includes partitions for retaining particles, with apertures disposed within the partitions. The apertures are covered by louvers that extend above the edges of the apertures to prevent solid particles from spilling through inlet apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus for contacting a bed of particulate material with a cross flowing fluid, which maintains the bed of particulate material within a retention volume. The apparatus includes partitions for retaining particles, with apertures disposed within the partitions. The apertures are covered by shrouds that extend above the edges of the apertures to prevent solid particles from spilling through inlet apertures.

Abstract: An improved vertical aeration system is provided for a grain bin having a sloped hopper bottom with a discharge opening. A pyramid frame includes legs with lower ends attachable to the hopper bottom. Concave perforated walls are attached to the legs. Braces extending between the legs provide structural support for the walls. An air duct extends upwardly and centrally into the interior of the frame, to supply air into the aeration system for flow outwardly through the perforated walls.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhanced drying of bulk agricultural products is provided in a transport trailer. The apparatus includes a perforated false bottom below the product, an air manifold buried within the product, and baffles for air distribution. Product unloading capabilities are enhanced as well. These capabilities enhance the uniformity and reproducibility of drying, ease of product handling, and greater safety in unloading the product.

Abstract: A substrate cleaning chamber comprises various components, such as for example, a consumable ceramic liner, substrate heating pedestal, and process kit. The consumable ceramic liner is provided for connecting a gas outlet channel of a remote gas energizer to a gas inlet channel of a substrate cleaning chamber. The substrate heating pedestal comprises an annular plate having a substrate receiving surface with a plurality of ceramic balls positioned in an array of recesses. A process kit comprises a top plate, top liner, gas distributor plate, bottom liner, and focus ring.

Abstract: A knock-down type dryer assembly for prosthesis liners includes a housing mounted on a base member and a prosthesis liner support detachably mounted to the housing. The prosthesis liner support comprises a cross-member detachably coupled to an arm member and includes adjustable side wing portions that allow a user to adjust for the size of a particular prosthesis liner. When activated, an electrical fan in the housing draws ambient air into the housing and directs it up through the prosthesis liner where it circulates before exiting the liner. An anti-microbial lamp within the housing can be utilized to help rid the prosthesis liner of harmful bacteria. The manner in which the liner support is assembled, and the manner in which the liner support detachably connects to the housing, allows a user to easily assemble and disassemble the liner dryer and encourages proper cleaning/drying of the prosthesis liner before use.

Abstract: A system for drying grain includes a receiving bin defining a cavity therein and further includes intake and outlet ports. A conduit is operably connected to the receiving bin that includes a plurality of check valves and a stop valve. The system further includes a mechanism for introducing air at a selected flow rate into the conduit and a combustion source that includes a pilot gas light wherein fire is created that burns between 2000–3000 degrees Fahrenheit. The combustion source includes a flue positioned thereabove and a drain outlet extending substantially orthogonal to the conduit. A heat exchanger is connected to the combustion source including a fan and a filter operably connected thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for separating dust from flue gases from combustion plants, especially solid fuel combustion plants, comprising at least one dust filter via which the flue gases are guided, and by means of which the dust from the flue gases can be filtered out as it passes through the dust filter. In order to produce a device which separates dust in a highly efficient manner and which can be operated in a highly reliable manner and be used to heat combustion air for the combustion plant, the at least one dust filter is embodied as a bulk material filter in whose bulk material heat from the flue gases can be collected when the bulk material is cross-flown by the flue gases and by means of whose bulk material heat collected from the flue gases when the combustion air of the combustion plant flows through the bulk material filter can be given off to said combustion air.

Abstract: An FCC apparatus uses a cantilevered support for supporting baffles in a stripping vessel. Only one end of the support is fastened to a wall of a contacting conduit or a wall of the stripping vessel and the other end is spaced apart from the near wall of the contacting conduit or the stripping vessel. The arrangement provides for easier maintenance and accommodates differential thermal expansion.

Abstract: A jet spouted fluidized bed drier is described in which the bottom half of the drier chamber comprises a first lower conical part, and the top half of the drier chamber comprises a second upper conical part surrounding a conical grid located near to the top end of the second part. The drier chamber thus comprises two conical parts connected together at their wide ends. The result of this arrangement is that the collision zone becomes a toroid with an essentially triangular cross-sectional shape defined essentially by the conical internal surface of the top part and the conical outer surface of the conical grid. This revised structural arrangement has been found to be able to process materials which either cannot be processed, or cannot be processed efficiently, with known jet spouted fluidized bed driers. Additionally, this revised structural arrangement has been found to be able to process materials more efficiently, and to a lower desired final liquid content values.

Abstract: Device and method for drying a pourable products. The device includes a rotor chamber in which a rotor is arranged with a vertical rotor axis. The rotor has a central horizontal surface and, at least in its radially outer third, a conical shell which is inclined to the axis of rotation by 20° to 70°, in such a way that the end face of the conical shell has the largest diameter and is located at the top. The conical shell has, at least partially, sheet-like gas passages in the form of perforations or screens. The method for drying pourable products provides for dry gas to be fed in a sheet like manner to the products to be dried during the radially peripheral circulation of the products without the products being swirled up and being exposed to unacceptable compressive, concussive and/or frictional loads.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drier-heat-exchanger for heat treating PET granulate and similar products. The drier has a channel which is delimited by air permeable sheets. This ensures that the product can pass through efficiently and evenly which in turn means that a higher gas speed can be used without the product being stirred up and therefore shorter heating times are possible.

Abstract: A heat and/or mass transfer process and apparatus for treating various types of materials. A heat and/or mass transfer process includes causing a gas to impinge upon a flowing material, wherein the gas velocity having a component tangential to the flow direction of the material can be characterized such that a fluctuating velocity is superimposed upon the mean velocity of the material in the flow direction. The process further includes effecting velocity fluctuations by means of a traveling tangential acoustic wave while a steady overall gas flow is maintained, and controlling the gas velocity by means of a vernier valve. By using fluctuating velocity superimposed upon the mean velocity, an effective thermal and mass transfer resistance of the boundary layer can be reduced, as well as reducing the pressure fluctuations.