Abstract: Provided is a method for producing magnesium hydride, the method including a plasma treatment step of exposing a raw material mixture of at least one magnesium-based raw material selected from the group consisting of magnesium, magnesium hydroxide, and magnesium oxide and magnesium hydride to hydrogen plasma.

Abstract: A conveyor having a conveyance structure, mixing components, belt, and gas manifold. The gas manifold disposed within or on an exterior portion of the structure. The gas manifold having one or more manifold outlet ports to dry, condition, or treat a metered stream of seed within the conveyor. The manifold may be operably connected to a recirculating air system providing the vacuum source and pressurized air source of atmospheric or conditioned air. A filter and vacuum port may extract debris or humidity from the metered stream of seed within the conveyor. A plurality of mixing baffles may be longitudinally spaced apart through the conveyor in a laterally alternating manner to mix the metered stream of seed. The conveyor may be used to transfer, mix, dry, condition and treat the metered stream of seed between multiple stages of treatment.

Abstract: A fluidized bed granulator for granulation with urea or urea-containing liquids is described, wherein the granulation liquid is supplied via a supply manifold comprising a header and risers. The risers are at least in part provided inside channels for secondary gas.

Abstract: A method for calculating the height and the density of a fluidized bed is described. In a first mode of operation, a first differential pressure and a second differential pressure are obtained, a bed density of the fluidized bed is calculated, and a bed height is calculated by dividing the first differential pressure by the calculated bed density. In a second mode of operation the system is purged by using a pressurized gas.

Abstract: With respect to an especially efficient use of energy required for drying, a drier for drying items to be dried, comprising a receptacle for the items to be dried, an air guide for guiding air to the receptacle and a heating device for heating the air is designed and further developed in such a way that the receptacle comprises a plurality of modules (1, 2, 3, 4), arranged one behind the other, for heating, drying or cooling the items to be dried, and that at least one module (1, 2, 3, 4) is associated with a conveying device (5) for conveying the items to be dried from this module (1, 2, 3) or any module (1, 2, 3) to the next module (2, 3, 4).

Abstract: The invention relates to metallurgy, particular to acid methods for producing alumina, and can used in processing aluminum-containing raw materials, including those of a low-grade. The method for producing alumina comprises treating aluminum-containing raw materials with hydrochloric acid, separating aluminum chloride hexahydrate crystals from the supernatant chloride solution, and thermally decomposing said crystals in two stages to produce alumina. In order to increase the quality of alumina and decrease energy consumption while achieving high process productivity, water vapor is continuously introduced during the second stage of thermal decomposition, with a ratio of the total mass of the introduced water vapor to the mass of produced alumina equal to 0.2-5.7.

Abstract: A system and method for solvent recovery in a batch fluidized bed process is provided. The disclosed embodiment of the fluidized bed system includes a fluidized bed vessel adapted to contain a batch of solvent-containing product; an influent or intake circuit adapted to supply an inert fluidizing gas to the fluidized bed vessel; an effluent circuit adapted to remove the solvent containing inert fluidizing gas from the fluidized bed vessel; a first recycle circuit coupling the effluent circuit to a solvent recovery means; a second recycle circuit directly coupling the effluent circuit to the intake circuit and a flow control valve operatively disposed to divide the effluent between the first recycle circuit and the second recycle circuit based on the operating regime of the fluidized bed process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for impregnating and drying a continuous paper web (1) by means of a urea resin dissolved in water, and to a corresponding system. Such paper webs (1) are employed for example as furniture foil or floor laminate, wherein in the known art melamine resin is used exclusively for bonding to a substrate. This is relatively expensive. Therefore the object of the invention is to create a method in which the paper web (1) which is impregnated by means of urea resin can be bonded to the substrate with a high degree of operational reliability. Said object is achieved in that the temperature of the paper web (1) is determined separately in each of the drying zones (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4), that for each of the drying zones (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4) an amount and/or a temperature of the circulating air are regulated so that the maximum temperature of the paper web (1) is 99° C., and that exhaust air is extracted from a first one of the drying zones (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying particles in a fluidized state includes a particle input segment into which wet particles are input, a drying segment having a multi-perforated plate dividing an inner space of the drying segment into an upper section and a lower section, a plurality of upper partition plates partitioning the upper section and positioned above the multi-perforated plate, a plurality of lower partition plates in the lower section respectively corresponding to the plurality of upper partition plates, a plurality of pairs of channel plates in the lower section that pass through the multi-perforated plate such that each pair of the plurality of pairs of channel plates are respectively arranged on opposite sides of respective ones of the plurality of upper partition plates and on opposite sides of respective ones of the plurality of lower partition plates; and a heated-air flow supply segment for supplying hot gas to the drying segment.

Abstract: Absorbent polymer granulate comprising the following process steps: i) polymerization of an aqueous monomer solution to obtain a polymer gel; ii) comminution of the polymer gel to obtain a gel granulate; and iii) drying of the gel granulate, and is characterized in that the gel granulate after step ii) has a spread behavior. The production process of an absorbent polymer distinguishes itself by a particularly efficient drying step iii), which enables a particularly gentle and uniform drying of the gel granulate. The obtained absorbent polymers and products and items produced therefrom have a particularly uniform product quality and constant physical-chemical properties.

Abstract: A lithographic mask is placed in a chamber which is then sealed. The gas pressure in the chamber is reduced to dislodge contaminant particles on the mask surface.

Abstract: A cleaning tool for cleaning substrates, comprising a circulation conduit through which is circulated a cleaning liquid or gas. The circulation conduit is disposed in fluid communication with an upstream flow chamber and a downstream cleaning chamber, the cross-sectional area of which cleaning chamber is less than the cross-sectional area of the flow chamber. In use, the cleaning chamber receives a wafer substrate for cleaning of particles or removal of polymer films from the substrate. The smaller cross-sectional area of the cleaning chamber accelerates the flow of a cleaning fluid flowing through the cleaning chamber from the flow chamber. The rapidly-flowing cleaning fluid removes the particles and/or films from the substrate while preventing dropping of the removed particles or re-deposition of the film back onto the substrate. A particle filter may be provided in the circulation conduit downstream of the cleaning chamber for removing the particles.

Abstract: An enhanced apparatus and method for cleaning, drying, and disinfecting brine shrimp eggs is provided. The apparatus may have a blower and a furnace that provide pressurized, dry air to a screening device. The screening device may include a vibrating screen designed to release detritus while retaining viable cysts. The dry air may convey the cysts upward and suspend them within a containment vessel. The containment vessel may have a lower, narrow section and an upper, wide section; the larger airflow velocity within the narrow section suspends the brine shrimp eggs while the remaining detritus moves upward, into the wide section, in which the airflow velocity is lower. The air suspension rapidly dries the cysts to maintain a high percentage of viable eggs. Ultraviolet lights disinfect the cysts within the narrow section. An extractor with a cyclone separator draws material from the wide section and removes viable eggs from the detritus.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drying granulate material in a hopper by controlling the amount of gas which flows through the hopper to heat and to dry the granulate. The control allows to use a minimum amount of gas for heating the granulate to the drying temperature and to dry it with an optimal low energy consumption. This effect is reached by controlling the amount of gas flowing through the drying hopper as a function of the temperature difference between the temperature of the heating gas leaving the drying hopper and the granulate to be heated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for quickly drying solutions in one or more arrays of vessels includes a manifold that receives gas and a base plate that receives the one or more arrays of vessels. The manifold includes one or more hollow tubes that direct the gas into the vessels, where the gas evaporates the solutions. A variety of types of hollow tubes are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the gas is filtered, pressurized and/or heated. In an exemplary embodiment, the solutions are heated. The base plate is hingeably coupled to the manifold so that the base plate has an open position and a closed position. The open position permits users to place and remove the vessels that contain solutions to be dried. In the closed position, the base plate and the manifold are in sealing engagement with one another, wherein the one or more of the hollow tubes extend into the vessels.

Abstract: A moisture indicator in an air flow drying process where hot gas is circulated over and around a granular material having an undesirable amount of moisture includes a detector located in the path of the exhaust gas to determine exhaust flow temperature, a valve control device associated with the temperature detector to control the percentage of hydrocarbon gas in the hot gas intake and an indicator connected to the valve control device. A display is associated with the indicator to display the percentage of hydrocarbon gas in the gas intake which indicates the amount of moisture in the granular material. The percentage of hydrocarbon gas needed in the intake is inversely proportional to the amount of moisture in the granular material. The percentage signals the loader operator whether the granular material loaded has an acceptable amount of moisture for successful operation of the drying process.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing metallic flake having an environmental coating for use in oxidative and corrosive atmospheres. Fluidized bed techniques are utilized to perform a controlled oxidation of metallic particles that include aluminum. The fluidized techniques permit the formation of a thin, outer shell of alumina over the outer surface of the flake. Because the oxidation is controlled so that the selective oxidation produces a thin outer shell, the particle has good reflectance and the metallic core of the particle is unaffected by the oxidizing treatment. Although the techniques of the present invention are effective for producing a reflective surface on aluminum-containing iron alloys while the core particles can be either magnetically soft or hard, the techniques can be used to produce a reflective surface that is corrosion and oxidation resistant on any aluminum containing alloy. Apparatus that facilitates the controlled oxidation is also set forth.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for bringing particulate material into contact with a moving fluid in an annular processing zone to create processed material. The zone has a base and the process includes generating a circumferentially directed flow of gas in the zone to develop a circumferentially circulating turbulent bed of particulate material within the processing zone. Particulate material is supplied to the processing zone so that the particulate material is circulated in the processing zone to provide a predictable particle flow path both circumferential of the processing zone and helically of the zone.

Abstract: In a method for controlling airflow on a backside of a semiconductor wafer during spin processing, a wafer backing plate is first disposed below a semiconductor wafer. Air is then supplied to the volume defined by the wafer backing plate and the semiconductor wafer. The air may be supplied to the volume through a hollow core spindle, a rotary union, or apertures in the wafer backing plate. The separation distance between the wafer and the wafer backing plate and the flow rate of air supplied to the volume may be controlled to avoid any substantial recirculation of contaminated air into the volume. In addition to serving as one of the boundaries that define the volume, the wafer backing plate reduces particle recontamination on the backside of the wafer by preventing particles from contacting the backside of the wafer during spin processing.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for heat exchange with fluid beds comprises heat-exchange tubes located longitudinally with respect to the axis of a fluidization zone with a rectangular pitch, one side of which having a length at least one and a half times the length of the other side and/or with a triangular pitch, having two sides each at least one and a half times the length of the shortest side reduces the impact of the heat-exchange tubes on the fluidization characteristics of the fluid bed. The invention is particularly suitable for oxidation reactions using molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a fluid bed of fluidizable catalyst, such as (a) the acetoxylation of olefins, (b) the oxidation of ethylene to acetic acid and/or the oxidation of ethane to ethylene and/or acetic acid, (c) the ammoxidation of propylene and/or propane to acrylonitrile and (d) the oxidation of C4's to maleic anhydride.

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.

Abstract: In order to prevent material from passing into a plenum chamber, an assembly for fluidizing the material includes a deck supported above the plenum chamber. The plenum chamber has an intake in communication with a source of pressurized air, and the deck includes an inverted channel for distributing the pressurized air to the material in a preselected air distribution pattern and an inverted channel for supporting the material in a position generally above and in spaced relation to the air distributing channel. With this arrangement, the material supporting channel is disposed in spaced relation to the air distributing channel to permit the pressurized air from the plenum chamber to fluidize the material.

Abstract: A method is provided in which particulate matter is dried in a high velocity cyclonic dryer having inner and/or outer ring deflectors. Contemplated initial air stream velocities are at least about 100 feet per second, with more preferred velocities at least 300 feet per second, and still more preferred embodiments at least 500 feet per second. In one aspect of preferred embodiments the combination of high velocity air flow and ring deflectors advantageously provides significant drying of the particulate matter using both relatively low temperatures and relatively short transit times. Contemplated temperatures of the air stream entering the dryer are between about 50.degree. F. and about 300.degree. F., with more preferred temperatures between about 60.degree. F. and about 150.degree. F., and still more preferred temperatures between about 70.degree. F. and about 120.degree. F.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the removal of liquid from particulate material by evaporation through the supply of heat, said heat being transferred substantially by superheated vapours or steam of the liquids existing in the particulate material, and where said method is executed in a substantially closed system. The particulate material is supplied continuously to a process chamber which is configured as an annual or partly annular chamber (1) which lies in a substantially horizontal manner, where the superheated vapours are introduced from below and up through openings (11) in a bottom (10) in the annular chamber, so that the particulate material is brought into movement by the superheated vapours, and such that a transport of the particulate material takes place through the annular chamber (1).

Abstract: The present invention provides a particulate drying method and drying apparatus, which can disperse particulates in the drying apparatus, prolong the particulate residence time, and improve the drying conditions, while retaining the advantages of conventional flash dryers.

Abstract: In a process for processing particulate material with a stream of fluid in an annular processing zone, which includes the steps of supplying the particulate material for processing in the zone, discharging processed material from the zone and generating in the zone a circumferentially directed flow of fluid to develop a circulating turbulent band of particles, an improvement to the processing zone which provides a predictable particle flow path both circumferentially and helically of the zone. The improvement comprises directing the flow of fluid to develop a circulating bed with inner bed depth and outer bed depth, a flow of fluid directed at an angle relative to the processing zone base and controlling fluid velocity so that it is greater than the terminal velocity of larger particles point of impact on the bed base and less than the terminal velocity of smaller particles in the superficial space above the bed upper surface.

Abstract: A bed (6; 78) of particulate material, which is supported by a gas distribution bottom (9; 75), is located utilizing a treatment gas, which via ducts (19; 35; 77) is conducted in sectionalized manner to and directed up through the gas distribution bottom and the bed of material from one or several underlying compartments (15; 76). The flow of the treatment gas through each duct (19; 35; 77) is self regulated by means of a flow regulator (21) provided in each duct. It is thereby obtained that the total pressure loss across the gas distribution bottom can be reduced, that the flow of the treatment gas through the material bed is distributed in a desirable and well-defined manner across the entire gas distribution bottom regardless of the composition of the material bed and the distribution thereon, and that tunnel formations are avoided.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for drying small articles in a process container, such as closure elements of pharmaceutical vessels after a treatment of the closure elements, an air-permeable support is arranged beneath the articles to support them and prepared preheated air is fed to the interior of the process container and through the support to dry the articles while they are resting on the support. An additional air mass flow is at least once briefly passed under the support during the drying operation, to lift and thereby turn the small articles to ensure at least substantially complete drying thereof.

Abstract: A method for the continuous treatment of particulate material, such as cement raw meal, in an apparatus comprising a stationary reactor (6) configured as a conical spouted bed, to which the material is fed and treated in a suspended bed by means of gas which, via a centrally arranged gas inlet (21), is injected at the bottom of the reactor (6) and flows upwards through the reactor (6), and wherefrom the material is discharged via an opening (21) at the bottom of the reactor (6).

Abstract: A drying equipment includes an equipment body including a vapor bath, carrier for carring a semiconductor wafer, receiver tray, inert gas supply unit, cooling pipe, exhaust unit, transportation unit, control unit, etc. An air supply opening of a blower is opposite to a top opening of the vapor bath. The vapor bath contains an organic solvent therein. A vapor is generated by heating the organic solvent. A vapor phase boundary surface is formed on the boundary between the vapor and air overlying the same. When the wafer at low temperature is put into the vapor bath by means of the transportation unit, the organic solvent vapor condenses on the surface of the wafer. The inert gas supply unit supplies an inert gas to the vapor in the vapor bath. The wafer is pulled up slowly from the vapor by means of the transportation unit, and passes the vapor phase boundary surface on the way.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for de-watering a bead suspension of fragile beads having a high water content suspended in a liquid includes a staging vat, a metering vat, and a de-watering vat. The application of pressurized gas to the staging vat causes the bead suspension to move up a central feed tube which extends from the staging vat to the metering vat. The bead suspension is gravity fed from the metering vat through a transfer pipe and into the de-watering vat. The bottom portion of the de-watering vat has both an inner wall and an outer wall wherein the upper portion of the inner wall has perforations and the bottom portion is solid. Upon entering the de-watering vat, the bead suspension pours a short distance onto an inverted spreader cone. The bead suspension flows down the spreader cone and pours over the edge of the cone toward the perforated upper portion of the inner wall.

Abstract: Particle fluidization method in which particles are swirled up by a flow of a fluidizing gas to form a fluidized bed and pressure measurements are performed in or along the fluidized bed, and in which a parameter for the distribution of the measured values from these pressure measurements is determined and is used as a basis for regulating the flow rate of the stream of fluidizing gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling the delivery of multiple gobs to the blank molds of a glass forming machine having multiple cavities or sections, wherein multiple gobs are delivered from a glass feeder to plural scoops that are oscillated to deliver the gobs in multiples to aligned troughs and funnels in a timed sequence. An infrared gob sensor at each exit detects passage of a gob, and a computer controls application of air under pressure to control the velocity of delivery of each gob to the scoops in order to influence gob exit timing at the deflectors that are positioned adjacent the mold cavities.

Abstract: A method for dosing and particularly for mixing substances, particularly for mixing at least one granular or powdery solid matter with a liquid. A first substance, particularly the granular or powdery solid matter is liquidized by means of a gas fed continuously or pulsatingly, and after that this homogenized gas/matter mixture is brought together in a time stable, dosed manner and mixed with a second substance, particularly a liquid. For dosing the homogenized gas/matter mixture, there is additionally supplied to it gas prior to the mixing with the second substance, with this gas being supplied to the gas/matter stream in a sheathing way and parallel to its direction of flow.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the drying or kilning of malt in a substantially continuous operation. The malt is transported through one or more separate drying zones by means of fluid bed dryer units at which time tempered or conditioned air at a predetermined temperature and moisture content is passed through the malt to effect a drying of the malt. The rate of malt movement through the drying zones is varied according to the moisture content of the malt at predetermined points in its travel whereby to acheive a desired drying rate and moisture content in the malt as it travels through the various drying zones. Sulfur dioxide gas is selectively infused with the air in the drying zones to minimize carcinogens within the malt. Optional treatments are provided for the malt as it passes through the drying zones, including subjecting the malt to a vacuum to facilitate moisture removal and to effect a sanitizing of the malt.

Abstract: A method for metering solid present in the gas/solid stream of a fluidized-bed apparatus, in which gas and solid are present as a prehomogenized, free-flowing mixture in a fluidized bed and in which at least one outlet orifice for removal of the gas/solid stream is provided in an outflow pipe. The method provides for feeding a particulate phase and a gas phase, homogenizing the two phases in a fluidized bed, discharging the two-phase flow via a discharge pipe and injecting gas into the discharge pipe.

Abstract: Flotation drying apparatus for the staged (indirect) heating of solvent laden air recirculating within a drying enclosure, and a method of optimally controlling and directing solvent laden recirculation air such that condensation and sapping of solvent and various solvent-based by-products may be effectively reduced or eliminated. In addition to the reduction of condensate, a greater and more uniform mixing of the atmosphere within the drying enclosure is achieved, thereby enhancing safety and the drying process as pockets of high concentration solvent vapors are reduced. Air from outside the dryer enclosure is heated within the dryer enclosure, and is mixed with solvent-laden air. The mixed air is recirculated to the first drying zone of the dryer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dryer for uniform drying of moisture laden particulate material. The dryer comprises a substantially vertical tower having a top, a bottom, side walls, a moist material inlet, a moist material distribution section below the inlet, a drying section below the distribution section and a cooling section below the drying section. The drying section contains a heated air inlet and air exhaust assemblies, wherein the air exhaust assemblies are formed from a plurality of discharge chambers extending horizontally across the tower between the side walls for flow of particulate material therebetween. Each discharge chamber contains at least one horizontally disposed exhaust tubular member having an aperture in the lower portion of the tubular member for exhausting air. Each discharge chamber also contains at least one aperture in the upper portion thereof for receiving air.

Abstract: A downcomer including a tubular member oriented vertically and extending downwardly from a fluidized grid and including a lower portion provided with an inclined opening formed at a first angle with respect to the tubular member, and a flapper valve including an upper portion and a lower portion formed at a second angle with respect to the upper valve portion, the upper portion of the flapper valve is mounted pivotally to the tubular member at a position to normally place the lower portion of the flapper valve in engagement with and closing the inclined opening.