Abstract: A control system and method for a frostless, multivariable coupling and heat pump-based hot blast stove are used for grain drying. A first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a main solution pool, corresponding pipelines, and a temperature detector are configured in the control system. A first heat pump unit, a second heat pump unit and a third heat pump unit are formed. A preheating zone, a low temperature zone, a medium temperature zone and a high temperature zone are sequentially formed on an air supply pipeline from a fresh air inlet to a fresh air outlet. A frostless operation procedure is provided. Through the configuration, the control system and method for a frostless, multivariable coupling and heat pump-based hot blast stove can implement heat supply in a gradient heat-circulation preheating mode and a gradient heat-circulation frostless mode.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a unidirectional multi-path kiln with two or more chambers and generally parallel flow paths extending through the kiln, on opposite sides, from charge entry portals at a first end of the kiln to charge exit portals at a second end of the kiln. Moist heated air flowing from the second heated chamber is received in the first chamber and circulated around the lumber charges with one or more fans. The lumber charges proceed in the same direction on the flow paths through the heated second chamber, which may be an existing kiln. Charge exit portals at the distal end of the kiln and/or intermediate charge portals between the second chamber and a third chamber may be provided with insulating members configured to reduce airflow from the second chamber through the charge exit portals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for treating elongate food products in a process space using a conditioned airflow, comprising: a housing bounding the process space, with a feed opening arranged in the housing and a discharge opening arranged in the housing for respectively carrying elongate food products into the process space and discharging thereof from the process space, transport means for displacing the elongate food products through the process space, blowing means for generating an airflow in the process space, and conditioning means for conditioning the airflow.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for the uniform drying of boards, such as gypsum wallboards. The apparatus includes a dryer through which a series of boards are conveyed in a side-by-side relationship. While in the dryer, heated air is delivered over the boards via a series of separate air channels. A bypass duct delivers a portion of or a totality of unreheated air to the outermost channels where the cooler air displaces a volume of the warmer air. As a result, the air in the outermost channels is cooler than the air in the interior channels. Air from the outermost channels is then directed over the exposed longitudinal edges of the boards.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand dryer comprising inside the casing (1) two hollow chambers (3a, 3b) having: a mouth (36) for the inlet of high-speed air supplied by air propulsion means (4a, 4b) towards a drying chamber (2), inner channels (33) for the conduction and distribution of air through the inside of said hollow chambers with a low coefficient of friction, and a plurality of air outlet orifices (34) defined in the front plates (31) of the hollow chambers and simultaneously projecting air through orifices (21, 22) of the drying chamber onto the entire surface of the hands inserted and kept still inside said drying chamber (2). The dryer comprises an evaporation device (7) to evaporate the water from the drying chamber (2).

Abstract: Device for drying material, such as manure, mud and the like, comprising a grinding part and a drying part, as the drying part comprises at the least one conveyor belt (10) and an air heater (16). Above the conveyor belt it is arranged a closed air circulation system, leading air counter-current to the material on the conveyor belt. The temperature of the air heated in the heater (16), and the time wherein the material is dried, is adjusted in such a way that the dried material is free of bacteria and weed.

Abstract: The object of the Patent is a drying tunnel for fruit and vegetables which is prismatic rectangular in shape and is internally divided by spacing walls (1) with a bucket conveyor travelling successively up and down. The buckets are elongate, parallel to the walls (1) and closed at their ends by irregular hexagonal plates (2) which may swivel about top half-shafts (3), their concave bottom allowing an airflow through it and consisting of longitudinal spaced rods (4). Shafts (5) are arranged at the top of the end walls (2) with bearing means (6) at their free end which, upon abutting on a flat inclined guide (7), cause the bucket to be tipped and emptied, allowing the fruit to exit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for deacidifying cellulose based materials, especially books, magazines, and other bound or folded cellulose materials having a spine. The method includes contacting the materials with a treating medium and producing relative movement at a predetermined velocity between the materials and the treating medium in a direction generally parallel to the spine of the materials and, preferably simultaneously, directing the treating medium by means of a spray toward the materials in a direction generally perpendicular to the spine of the material for a period of time effective for the treating medium to contact substantially all of the material. Following treatment, any excess treating medium is removed from the material and directing any such removed treating medium to a holding tank for reuse later. The movement in a parallel direction is achieved by reciprocating the materials through a tank filled with treating medium.

Abstract: The cooler/dryer includes a product inlet having an inlet discharge chute oscillatable about a horizontal axis corresponding to the direction of conveyance of the product within the dryer/cooler. The chute is at an opposite angle to the direction of conveyance and drops product onto a seal plate angled in the direction of conveyance. Through the combined oscillating motion of the chute and the opposed feed angles of the chute and seal plates in relation to the conveyor, an air seal between the conveyor and the seal plate and level distribution of product across the conveyor are provided. A secondary pivoting seal downstream from the inlet prevents air drawn in through the inlet along with the product from passing directly into the cooling/drying chamber.

Abstract: A container is provided for housing desiccant material therein and for facilitating fluid flow therethrough to a surrounding environment. The container comprises a cup member including a base or bottom wall member and a generally cylindrically shaped outer wall connected to the base or bottom wall member to thereby define a housing. A plurality of openings extend through the outer wall and provide communication between the housing and the surrounding environment. At least one recessed, relief portion is provided in communication with one of the openings. The recessed, relief portion has an outer diameter dimension less than the outer diameter dimension of the cup member. Accordingly, when the cup is snugly received in an associated canister or the like, a relief area is formed that defines a fluid flow channel along the interface of the cup member and canister.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for final drying of harvested brine shrimp cysts preparatory to containerization, for subsequent storage and shipment. The device is portable, and may be installed upon the near shore of the shrimp bearing body of water, or upon shrimp harvesting vessels. A closed drying chamber contains a vertically arranged series of cyst drying trays, the cysts cascading downward from tray to tray by gravity assisted by vibration of the trays from top to bottom of the drying chamber. Conveying and lifting apparatus is associated with the chamber to permit the recirculation of the cysts until a sufficient degree of dryness is obtained. Heated air is introduced into the stationary drying chamber. The apparatus provides for final separation of any broken shrimp cysts still remaining.

Abstract: An infrared wood product dryer apparatus (10) constructed in accordance with the invention broadly includes enclosure structure (12) defining an interior (20), a conveyor assembly (14) configured for conveying a particulate material along a material flow path through the interior (20) substantially between an inlet (22) and an outlet (24), an array of infrared radiant energy sources (22) configured for exposing the material to infrared radiant energy while it is conveyed along the path (38), and a series of agitators (18) configured for agitating the material in order to increase the exposure of the material to the infrared radiant energy. A gas recirculation assembly (52) is provided to direct a heated interior gas onto the material in order to convection-dry the material. An exhaust assembly (62) reduces the moisture content of the interior gas by drawing a quantity of the gas from the dryer (10) so that fresh gas having a lower moisture content may be drawn into the dryer (10).

Abstract: A dryer for drying printed articles comprising a drying chamber, a plurality of conveyor belts having first and second ends, the conveyor belts located substantially within the drying chamber, a motor adapted to drive the plurality of conveyor belts, and a burner adapted to supply heated air to the drying chamber.

Abstract: An improved type of oven is disclosed for drying or curing a photosensitive material applied by coating on a substrate or board.The oven substantially comprises a substrate or board feeding station provided with a device for centering the boards, and which leads them, one by one, into the oven. Within the oven there is provided a first operating unit adapted to subject the substrates or boards to a rising motion, all the way up to the upper end thereof, where a device is provided to transfer one substrate or board at a time to a second operating unit, substantially identical to the first one, adapted to subject the substrates or boards to a lowering motion. At the lower end of the second operating unit there is provided a device for withdrawing and unloading those substrates or boards where the material has dried up or cured.

Abstract: A dryer for photographs sprayed with lacquer has an endless conveyor belt for transporting the photograph under infra red heaters enclosed in an exhaust hood. A second conveyor under the first receives the photo via an air transfer and returns it to the operator. Controls for preventing scorching of the photograph and for operating the device are provided.

Abstract: A method for providing grain drying and storage utilizing an earth cavity of designated planar construction as covered by light transmitting housing assembly; the structure consisting of an earth cavity having inverted tetrahedral characteristic which is closed over by a light transmitting housing, the interior of the storage volume includes a plurality of conveyor means for circulating the fungible material placed therein as well as means for controlling the interior heat and auxiliary heat flow.

Abstract: A laminator system for the continuous treatment and lamination of a plurality of flexible webs, with the system including the conventional adhesive applicator stations and laminator stations, with a drying chamber being arranged to dry or otherwise condition the applied adhesive films. The drying chamber is an annular enclosure having a generally inverted "U" configuration with access openings being formed at the base of each of the upright legs. Guide rolls are provided for creating a plurality of web paths through the laminator system, with the web paths including a plurality of generally parallel and concentric spans extending through the drying chamber. In addition to size reduction considerations, the drying chamber provides enhanced versatility for the laminator assembly, and simplifies solvent recovery.