Abstract: An apparatus (1) is proposed for drying and heat-treating pellets with a stream of inert gas, wherein the apparatus has a cuboid base unit (2) with a feed (3) for the pellets in its upper part and an outlet (4) in its lower part, with a feed (5) on one lateral surface and with an exhaust base (6) on the opposite lateral surface of the cuboid base unit (2) for the stream of inert gas, and also with distribution and retention equipment (7, 8) in the region of the feed (5) and, respectively, of the exhaust (6) for the stream of inert gas, where each of these extends essentially over the entire vertical cross section of the cuboid base unit (2).

Abstract: A dryer for drying a substrate includes: a bath containing a fluid; a chamber; and an isopropyl alcohol delivery system supplying isopropyl alcohol vapor to the interface between the substrate and the fluid when the substrate is removed from the fluid of the bath into the chamber. The isopropyl alcohol vapor is supplied perpendicularly to a vertical axis of the substrate. The dryer further includes a chamber environment control system that supplies a gas into the chamber to dry the substrate and controls temperature and humidity in the chamber and a chamber heater attached to the chamber to transfer thermal energy into the chamber. A drying method includes: immersing a substrate into a fluid contained in a bath; removing the substrate from the fluid into a chamber; and supplying isopropyl alcohol vapor into an interface between the substrate and the fluid perpendicularly to a vertical axis of the substrate.

Abstract: Liquid is removed from batches of substrates by apparatus and methods for drying substrates that have been wet in an elongated liquid bath. The substrates are moved relative to the bath and an elongated gas-filled volume at rates of movement selected according to the location of the batches of substrates in the bath or the volume. As an example, the substrates and the bath are separated at a controlled rate to form a thin layer of liquid on each substrate as each substrate enters the gas-filled volume. The gas-filled volume is defined by an elongated hot chamber and hot gas directed into the volume and across the substrates and out of the volume continuously transfers thermal energy to the substrates . The flow rate of the gas into the volume is related to introduction of the substrates into the bath to avoid disturbing the liquid in the bath.

Abstract: Liquid is removed from batches of substrates by apparatus and methods for drying substrates that have been wet in an elongated liquid bath. The substrates are moved relative to the bath and an elongated gas-filled volume at rates of movement selected according to the location of the batches of substrates in the bath or the volume. As an example, the substrates and the bath are separated at a controlled rate to form a thin layer of liquid on each substrate as each substrate enters the gas-filled volume. The gas-filled volume is defined by an elongated hot chamber and hot gas directed into the volume and across the substrates and out of the volume continuously transfers thermal energy to the substrates. The flow rate of the gas into the volume is related to introduction of the substrates into the bath to avoid disturbing the liquid in the bath.

Abstract: An vertical dryer (10) is provided having a plurality of individual dryer decks (12-18) including alternating fan and heater decks (14, 16), an air circulation assembly (11), and an upright, common plenum chamber (26) in communication with the decks (12-18). The assembly (11) is operable to create a continuous drying air stream which passes upwardly in countercurrent flow relationship to product on the decks (12-18). Also, the assembly (11) serves to pass the drying air stream into, through and out of the plenum (26) at the level of each heater deck (16); in the plenum (26), the air stream velocity is decreased, causing particulate fines to fall out of the stream for collection. The use of the common plenum (26) also allows independent control of the decks (12-18) in terms of air flows therethrough and recirculation characteristics.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum processing apparatus having vacuum processing chambers the insides of which must be dry cleaned, and to a method of operating such an apparatus. When the vacuum processing chambers are dry-cleaned, dummy substrates are transferred into the vacuum processing chamber by substrates conveyor means from dummy substrate storage means which is disposed in the air atmosphere together with storage means for storing substrates to be processed, and the inside of the vacuum processing chamber is dry-cleaned by generating a plasma. The dummy substrate is returned to the dummy substrate storage means after dry cleaning is completed. Accordingly, any specific mechanism for only the cleaning purpose is not necessary and the construction of the apparatus can be made simple.

Abstract: In an automatically operating cleaning installation for removing treating and/or machining residues from workpieces, comprising a cleaning station having associated therewith a channel for receiving at least one workpiece to be cleaned, a workpiece transportation device for introducing the workpieces to be cleaned into the channel and for removing the cleaned workpieces from the channel, and at least one blow nozzle directed into the interior of the channel and thus onto the workpieces to be cleaned for acting upon the workpieces with a stream of blow air, an air feeder, in particular, in the form of a ventilator, for supplying air to the blow nozzle at a pressure of at most approximately 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum processing apparatus having vacuum processing chambers the insides of which must be dry cleaned, and to a method of operating such an apparatus. When the vacuum processing chambers are dry-cleaned, dummy substrates are transferred into the vacuum processing chamber by substrates conveyor means from dummy substrate storage means which is disposed in the air atmosphere together with storage means for storing substrates to be processed, and the inside of the vacuum processing chamber is dry-cleaned by generating a plasma. The dummy substrate is returned to the dummy substrate storage means after dry cleaning is completed. Accordingly, any specific mechanism for only the cleaning purpose is not necessary and the construction of the apparatus can be made simple.

Abstract: A wafer carrier is provided comprised of a circular plate having a flat edge region extending around the circumference of the plate. The plate has a circular recessed center region with a recessed bottom surface and includes an upwardly inclined surface around the periphery of the recessed bottom surface. A substrate is placed in the center region where it is supported by a portion of the upwardly inclined surface and is spaced apart form the recessed bottom surface such that the substrate is supported only around its edge. The wafer carrier minimizes surface contact with the substrate thereby minimizing metal contamination and surface damage to the backside of a substrate and prevents deposition on the backside of the substrate.

Abstract: The removal of organics and volatile metals from soils using thermal desorption comprises moving contaminated materials, positioned on a belt conveyor, through a chamber (32) under oxygen conditions, temperature conditions, and residence time effective to substantially avoid incineration of the contaminants, while volatilizing the contaminants and producing a processed material that is substantially decontaminated, where the volatilized contaminants are carried from the chamber (32) by a transport gas which is passed through a packed tower (70) where quench/scrubbing liquid flows countercurrent to gas flow, for producing a substantially cleaned gas and a contaminated liquid concentrate. The gas may be passed through a further gas cleaning system (86) prior to discharge into the atmosphere, while the liquid concentrate is passed through a water treatment system (90) for producing substantially cleaned water which may be passed through an air cooler (92) and recycled back to cool the processed material.

Abstract: This invention refers to a dryer for sugar cane bagasse and/or medulla with vertical type, mobile bed with countercurrent waste combustion gases consisting of: a cylindrical body like a silo. The load is fed into the top of the cylindrical body and is then evenly distributed by spreading devices. Combustion gases from conventional boilers with a high energy content and normally considered as waste are fed countercurrently with the assistance of a ventilator into the bottom of the dryer through slots or holes. Once the gases have picked up humidity while going through the silo, they are expelled through the top by means of a conduct to the boiler's chimney.

Abstract: Dryer for drying washed glass plates as they travel in a housing having an entrance slot and an exit slot and contains a conveyor having bottom members and backing elements defining a plane of travel for the glass plates. Elongate front and rear blast nozzles are provided and which are respectively disposed on both sides of the plane of travel and are upwardly inclined opposite to the direction of travel and have air exit slots which face the plane of travel and extend upwardly from a level which is close to the level of the bottom edge supporting conveyor. Respective shields are provided between the blast nozzles and the adjacent walls of the housing. The housing has an exhaust air outlet. In one embodiment, the top end of each blast nozzle is spaced from the entrance end wall of the dryer and the exhaust air opening is formed in the top wall of the housing between the upper ends of the blast nozzles and the entrance end wall of the dryer.

Abstract: Non-aqueous solvents are removed from a web material, e.g., paper, by contacting the material with a condensable, heat transfer vapor, e.g. saturated steam, in countercurrent fashion. The heat transfer vapor is employed in the process in amounts of at least 50% by weight of the solvent to be removed. The process allows effective and efficient total removal and recovery of the solvent without damage to the web material. The condensable heat transfer vapor, as well as being the source of energy for evaporating the solvent, acts as a solvent vapor carrier. Condensation of the mixture in a recovery apparatus, e.g., condenser or still, allows easy recovery of the solvent.

Abstract: A process and a plant for continuously drying products with the use of increasing temperatures towards the end of the drying process, the drying process using the so-called multiple transverse stirring. There is admitted in the zone of completion of the drying process a first air flow (4), the additional or major air flow being admitted in a zone (5) where the product has lost most of its moisture content, the first air flow being heated at 8(III) to a high temperature, the additional air flow (5) being heated to a mean temperature (11) and the entire air flow being subjected to heat inputs 8(I) at a mean temperature derived from at least one heat pump (13) The invention reduces the heat input required for such a process.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method vitrifying radioactive fission prods in liquid solution. The liquid solution is pumped in metered quantities from a feed container to a vitrifying oven. The offgas occurring during vitrification is scrubbed of entrained radioactive dust particles and the like by a scrubbing liquid in a scrubber. In order to obtain a simplified sequence of method steps for metering the liquid solution and for scrubbing the offgas, the radioactive fission product solution from the feed container itself is used as the scrubbing liquid. This fission product solution is taken from the feed container and conducted to the counterflow scrubber through which it is passed in a direction opposite to the flow of the offgas. The fission product solution used as a scrubbing liquid is returned to the feed container after passing through the counterflow scrubber.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus vitrifying radioactive fission ducts in liquid solution. The liquid solution is pumped in metered quantities from a feed container to a vitrifying oven. The offgas occurring during vitrification is scrubbed of entrained radioactive dust particles and the like by a scrubbing liquid in a scrubber. In order to obtain a simplified sequence of method steps for metering the liquid solution and for scrubbing the offgas, the radioactive fission product solution from the feed container itself is used as the scrubbing liquid. This fission product solution is taken from the feed container and conducted to the counterflow scrubber through which it is passed in a direction opposite to the flow of the offgas. The fission product solution used as a scrubbing liquid is returned to the feed container after passing through the counterflow scrubber.

Abstract: The disclosed grain harvesting machine has a grain threshing mechanisn, a storage hopper into which grain from the threshing mechanism is transported for temporary storage, and an apparatus for drying the grain while in the storage hopper. The drying apparatus comprises a grain collecting system, a grain drying column, and plenum means for feeding air into the column and system. The grain collecting system is mounted substantially horizontally in the storage hopper proximate to the bottom thereof. It has an outlet and conduit means extending from perimeter portions of the storage hopper to the outlet. The conduit means has inlet openings along its upper portions for entry of grain mechanism by gravity and has grain transport means therewithin for moving grain therethrough to the outlet. The grain drying column is mounted at the outlet of the collecting system and extends upwardly from the outlet. The column has an elevated exit port for discharge of grain therefrom back into the hopper.