Including Material Separators Or Sorters Patents (Class 34/371)
  • Patent number: 11286949
    Abstract: A waterproof blower includes a casing and at least four drain holes placed along a circumferential direction of the casing in the outer peripheral wall portion, in the first side wall portion, or in the second side wall portion of the casing. The at least four drain holes communicate with the inside and the outside of the casing. The at least four drain holes each have an opening on an inner side of the casing. The openings of adjacent two drain holes of the drain holes as viewed in a direction of a rotation axis of the impeller are placed at positions where a straight line as a chord linking portions, which are located on the outermost peripheral side of the casing, of opening edges at the shortest distance hardly intersects with the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: SANYO DENKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Kodama, Toshiya Nishizawa, Kakuhiko Hata
  • Patent number: 11221180
    Abstract: A system and method for staged drying of temperature sensitive materials, the method comprising the following steps. Heated air is blown into a duct and solids are introduced into the duct at an elevated position along a vertical portion of the duct. The heated air and solids mixture is then transported along the duct for a desired retention time with adequate initial flash heating of the solids and then a gradual cool down of the solids. The solids are at an elevated temperature beyond the ambient dewpoint with evaporative cooling taking place. The solids and air mixture is then transported in the duct to a cyclone, where the solids are removed from the air. The air is exhausted out of the cyclone by an exhaust duct, and the solids are collected from the cyclone in a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Innovative Environmental Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter J. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 10059885
    Abstract: Method for producing pulverized coal, the method comprising the steps of heating a drying gas, preferably an inert gas, in a hot gas generator (26) to a predefined temperature; feeding the heated drying gas into a pulverizer (20); introducing raw coal into the pulverizer (20), the pulverizer (20) grinding the raw coal to pulverized coal; collecting a mixture of drying gas and pulverized coal from the pulverizer (20) and feeding the mixture to a filter (34), the filter (34) separating the dried pulverized coal from the drying gas; and collecting the dried pulverized coal for further use and feeding part of the drying gas from the filter to a recirculation line (38) for returning at least part of the drying gas to the hot gas generator (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Louis Schmit, Georges Stamatakis, Guy Junk, Claude Junk, Benoît Junk
  • Patent number: 9874347
    Abstract: A reactor system includes plural batch-cyclic reduction/oxidation (redox) reactors. One reactor is operated in fuel mode while another is operated in air mode, and vice-versa. For each reactor in air mode, air is introduced via air-only tuyeres and via fuel-air tuyeres to oxidize oxidation particles. For each reactor in fuel mode, fuel is introduced via the reactor's fuel-air tuyeres and not via its air-only tuyeres. As a result, air is introduced at a higher rate than fuel is introduced so that the oxidation rate can match the reduction rate. Thus, for example, as few as two reactors can be used for continuous power generation without having to shuttle oxidation particles between reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignees: ZERE ENERGY AND BIOFUELS, INC., UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO
    Inventors: Mohammad Helal Uddin, Charles J. Coronella, Marisa Anne Zuzga
  • Patent number: 9670012
    Abstract: A gas-particle processing method comprising: introducing gas into a chamber through a gas inlet; flowing the gas through the chamber from the gas inlet to the gas outlet at a first controlled mass flowrate; introducing at least one particle stream into the chamber through one or more particle inlets of the chamber at a second controlled mass flowrate; flowing each particle stream through a respective processing region in the chamber; and controlling the first and/or second mass flowrates, such that the gas-particle mixture porosity in a substantial portion of each processing region is 0.900-0.995.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventor: Owen Potter
  • Patent number: 9518779
    Abstract: Drying plant for particulate materials comprising: a drying duct which is provided with a substantially horizontal rectilinear starting section, a rectilinear ascending final section which extends upwards with a predetermined angle of inclination with respect to the vertical, and a curved intermediate section which connects the rectilinear starting section to the rectilinear final section; a hot gas generator designed for supplying to the inlet of the rectilinear starting section of the drying duct a flow of process gas at high temperature; a particulate feeding device which is structured so as to be able to feed/introduce into the rectilinear starting section of the drying duct a flow of particulate material to be dried substantially without relevant leaks of process gas from the drying duct; and a bypass duct which branches from the rectilinear starting section of the drying duct upstream of the particulate feeding device, and then re-joins the drying duct at the curved intermediate section, so as to feed b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: GARBUIO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Mansueto Favaro
  • Patent number: 9386798
    Abstract: A fluidized bed coffee roaster controls air flow and/or temperature to maintain a desired time-temperature roast profile. The roaster may also provide a two stage quenching cycle for rapidly cooling roasted coffee beans to ambient temperature. In a first stage of the quenching cycle unheated air is passed through the roasted beans while they are still in the roasting chamber of the fluidized bed roaster. In a second stage of the quenching cycle which is carried out outside of the roasting chamber, in a fluidized bed quenching station, unheated air is flowed through, and fluidizes, the roasted coffee beans cooling them to ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Gourmet Coffee Roasters Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Sewell, James N. Suddath
  • Patent number: 9353325
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for comminuting coal or other fuel solids in a shear field, and for optionally coating the solids with catalysts for combustion, liquefaction, and or gasification during the milling process. The process further provides for control of water content in the solids may be controlled before, during and after the milling in order to obtain micronized solids with fine hydration layers. The output fuel solids from the process can burn at low temperatures, avoiding emissions of nitrogen oxides, and they also have improved properties for surfactant-free suspension in either water or oil media, as well as for liquefaction and gasification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: HydroCoal Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David W. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8955236
    Abstract: A device for removing liquid from a part of a vehicle, the liquid removal device including an intake (11) for receiving matter containing gaseous component and non-gaseous components, a separator (14) for separating the gaseous and non gaseous components of matter entering the inlet (11), and an outlet (9, 10) for directing a gaseous component of the matter leaving the separator (14) towards the part of the vehicle from which liquid is to be removed, so as to remove liquid therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Gregory Keyes
  • Publication number: 20140096409
    Abstract: A heat treating apparatus for powder particles including a cylindrical treating chamber; a powder particle-supplying unit; a hot air-supplying unit that supplies hot air for heat-treating powder particles; a cold air-supplying unit that supplies cold air for cooling the heat-treated powder particles; a regulating unit for regulating a flow of the supplied powder particles; and a recovering unit that recovers the heat-treated powder particles. The regulating unit is a substantially circular columnar member, the hot air-supplying unit has an outlet opposite to the upper end portion of the columnar member, and the regulating unit is equipped with a substantially conic distributing member for distributing the supplied hot air in a circumferential direction and a rotating member for rotating the distributed hot air in a spiral manner, on the center of the upper end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Ohtsu, Yuichi Mizo, Hironori Minagawa, Takakuni Kobori, Kohji Takenaka, Junichi Hagiwara, Daisuke Ito, Kunihiko Kawakita
  • Patent number: 8348065
    Abstract: A separation apparatus for separating mud from water has an input tank device, a pipe device and a first separating assembly. The input tank device has an input tank. The pipe device has a first pipe having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first pipe is connected securely to the input tank. The first separating assembly has a main structure having a hydrocyclone. The hydrocyclone is connected to the second end of the first pipe. Accordingly, the hydrocyclone can efficiently and quickly separate mud from liquid of the raw water in the input tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Shun-Tsung Lu
  • Patent number: 8006406
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying and reducing the particle size of malleable material. Preferred embodiments of the invention include a drying apparatus for use with a malleable material, comprising a blower, an airlock feeder, a main line which contains an accelerator, a conditioning chamber, and a dehydration chamber, a polishing line which contains an accelerator, a conditioning chamber, and a dehydration chamber, and a squid line blower for providing pressurized heated air to the apparatus. An alternative preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a method of drying and size reducing malleable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventor: H. Clay Dingee, IV
  • Patent number: 7938271
    Abstract: This consists of the preparation of powdered still slops from concentrated liquid still slops dried and converted into a powder in a conventional dryer (1) and then fed to a powder collecting cyclone (4), featuring at the lower outlet aperture of the collecting cyclone (4) a circular or snail-shaped or logarithmic spiral-shaped device (7) fed with a cool, dry air draught which generates a downward suction effect counter to the upward suction effect of the collecting cyclone (4), bringing about the falling and separation of the powder from the draught of hot air which carries the same. The cool, dry air carries the powder to the exterior for bagging, and the hot air exits upwards via the collecting cyclone (4) towards the flue (6), using a device for the recovery of the heat which it still bears as much as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: HPD Process Engineering, S.A.
    Inventor: Daniel Irisarri Navalpotro
  • Patent number: 7805856
    Abstract: A device for drying laundry by means of a current of air includes a drum to accommodate the laundry and a ducting system to direct the current of air. The ducting system has a section arranged downstream of the drum in which a filter is arranged to capture lint from the current of air. A scraper is movably mounted over the filter. This filter is a channel arranged in an approximately horizontal manner and in the form of an inverted arch. The scraper has a foil resting on the filter in a sprung manner, the scraper being curved in accordance with the shape of the channel. Moving the scraper along the longitudinal axis of the filter scrapes lint off the filter and into a collection reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Gaβmann, Roman Goldberg, Kai Nitschmann
  • Publication number: 20100101107
    Abstract: According to a method for drying fuels in the form of dust, particularly to be fed to a gasification process, such as coal, petroleum coke, biological waste, or the like, wherein the fuel (1) is crushed in a mill (2) and fed to a filter/separator (3) by means of a propellant and drying gas, and at least part of the propellant/drying gas in the circuit is returned to the mill (2) after heating, the known disadvantages are not only to be avoided, but particularly a cost-effective milling and drying method and a corresponding system are to be provided, having low emissions and a low inert gas requirement. This is achieved according to the method in that part of the propellant/drying gas flow is cooled down and dehumidified in a spray tower (6), or the like, wherein part of the dried gas exiting the spray tower is fed to the environment and/or a firing process, and the other part is returned to the propellant/drying gas flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Uhde GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Kowoll, Eberhard Kuske
  • Publication number: 20100043445
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides, among other things, a system and process for drying a biosolid or sludge, such as wastewater sludge. The system and method include a fluidized bed dryer in which the sludge is dried. The fluidized bed includes bed media. In particular examples, the bed media is different than the sludge. The system and method can include additional features, such treating the sludge using a thermochemical process in a thermochemical reactor, such as a gasifier, to produce a fuel. The fuel is then combusted to produce energy and heat. The heat is recycled to the drier to help dry sludge. In particular examples, sludge input to the dryer is not first treated using a high-pressure dewatering technique. In some embodiments, the system and method include an anaerobic digester coupled to a combustion unit coupled to the dryer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: The Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on Behalf of the Univ. of Nevada
    Inventors: Charles J. Coronella, Victor R. Vasquez
  • Publication number: 20090277039
    Abstract: Disclosed and claimed is a pneumatic dryer for removal of liquid from the surface of particulate. The dryer finds application in drying water from coal using air as a drying gas. A significant mechanism of the removal of liquid from particulate is the shearing of liquid without a phase change from the particulate surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Robert Rooksby
  • Patent number: 7484624
    Abstract: A grain processor comprises a conveyor, air-suction means, and air-blowing means. The conveyor has a surface defining a conveying course on which grains are disposed, and the surface has holes smaller than the grains. The air above the surface is sucked downward through the holes by the air-suction means. The air-blowing means blows air upward through the holes at a predetermined position in the conveying course so as to apply blowing-up force onto the conveyed grains on the surface reaching the predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Toyo Rice Cleaning Machines Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiji Saika
  • Patent number: 7261208
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for drying sludge, in particular sewage sludge, by creating a granulate from the dried product. A mixture of a carrier material consisting of recycled sludge which has already been dried and liquid sludge is fed to a dryer 6. The dried product is fed to a solids separator 8 after the dryer 6 and is stored intermediately in the former in an intermediate container that is placed immediately downstream of the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Andritz AG
    Inventors: Giselher Stummer, Christian Maier
  • Patent number: 7044998
    Abstract: When separating steam and gas from a stream containing, possibly glue-coated, fibre pulp produced by a refiner, the hot fibre pulp is directly fed from the refiner to a separation cyclone (4) placed in a drying channel (2) for drying the fibre pulp. A hot drying air flow having substantially higher temperature, about 160° C., than the fibre pulp is blown through the drying channel so that the separation cyclone is surrounded by the hot drying air flow. The light steam containing fraction separated by the separation cyclone is conducted out of the separation cyclone via an outlet conduit (9) away from the hot drying air flow, whereas the separated heavy fibre containing fraction is conducted out of the separation cyclone directly into the hot drying air flow that entrains the heady fraction to a drying plant. Energy is recovered from the light steam containing fraction and ecologically harmful substances are separated from the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl-Johan Söderberg
  • Patent number: 6971188
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: North American Brine Shrimp, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James Chesley, III, Samuel Chesley
  • Patent number: 6820350
    Abstract: Methods for drying fibrous lignocellulosic material are provided in connection with the manufacture of fiberboard. The fibrous material is transported with a first drying gas through a first drying line to a first cyclone where the first drying gas in conducted away from the fibrous material. Thereafter, the material is transported with a second drying gas through a second drying line to a second cyclone, where the second drying gas is conducted away while the fibrous material is advanced to a subsequent step. The second drying gas, which is conducted away from the second cyclone, is recirculated to the first drying step and used as a portion of the first drying gas. A portion of the first drying gas, which is conducted away from the first cyclone, is recirculated and used as drying gas at the first drying step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Valmet Fibertech AB
    Inventors: Lennart V. Eriksson, Stig Lennartsson
  • Publication number: 20040205978
    Abstract: A flash dryer of cut tobacco comprises a drying duct (16) for connecting a feeding section (14) of cut tobacco to a tangential separator (18). The drying duct (16) has an upstream-side duct portion (16a) extending straight from the feeding section (14) at an elevation angle ranging from 30° to 60° and a downstream-side duct portion (16b) curving upward in a convex shape. A dry gas that flows through the drying duct (16) may contain superheated steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ohdaka, Chihiro Hanaoka, Nobuyasu Endo, Akihiro Sugiyama, Katsuhide Yokota, Susumu Uchida
  • Patent number: 6558726
    Abstract: A roasting apparatus for roasting nuts, cocoa beans, coffee beans, and other small food stuffs comprising a base, a motor and afterburner assembly attached to the top of the base on one side thereof, a roasting assembly attached to the top of the base on the other side thereof, and a top cover assembly removably attached to the tops of the motor and afterburner assembly, and the roasting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: The Metal Ware Corporation
    Inventors: Chad S. Erickson, Wesley C. Drumm
  • Patent number: 6158145
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventors: Frank D. Landon, H. Tom. Sawyer
  • Patent number: 6154979
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: ASJ Holding ApS
    Inventor: Arne Sloth Jensen
  • Patent number: 6085440
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for drying of a material in the form of a paste or a filter cake in a spin flash dryer. Particles are separated by a classifier (6) in the chamber (1) in such a way that oversize fraction is withheld in the chamber (1) and the desired fraction is removed (3, 9). A possible undesired undersize fraction is strained off and recycled (4, 10, 11) externally back to the dryer chamber (1). The spent drying gas is recycled to the dryer chamber (1). In either, the energy in the spent drying gas may be made use of in a heat exchanger and there is no or only little emission to the environment. Products preferably dried according to the invention are fruit and beet pulps, destillers residues, pesticides, pigments, dyes, ceramics, active coal, sludge and zeolites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: APV Anhydro AS
    Inventor: Jens Getler
  • Patent number: 6085441
    Abstract: In a process for drying sewage sludge or sludges of similar consistency, use is made of a device (13) in which vapors arising during contact drying are introduced to at least one compression stage. This stage compresses the vapors to a higher pressure and impurities are separated therefrom. The cleaned and compressed vapors are introduced into the device (13) for contact drying as a heating medium. In this manner, the energy consumed inside the operated installation is used more efficiently to dry the sewage sludge and a considerably improved energy balance is thereby achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Gebrueder Loedige Maschinenbau-Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Reiner Numrich, Roland Lucke
  • Patent number: 6065224
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Interlicense Den Haag B.V.
    Inventor: Erich Eigner
  • Patent number: 5960559
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for drying material, in which a previous dried material is mixed into the wet material to be dried to produce a dried mixture of different particle sizes. The process for drying material requires less industrial equipment implemented in a more economical and simpler plant that can be operated with low energy and maintenance requirments. The amount of fine material obtained after drying is measured and the amount of fine previously dried material mixed into the wet material to be dried is then set in inverse proportion to the quantity of fine dried material produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Andritz-Patentverwaltungs-Gesellscaft m.b.h.
    Inventors: Erwin Brunnmair, Reinhard Pinter
  • Patent number: 5735194
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for separating chaff from coffee and cocoa beans is designed for use in combination with either the hot air blowing base of the common household consumer appliance, the electrical popcorn popper or the larger volume coffee roasters. The apparatus comprises a hopper having an open top, an open bottom mountable over the hot air blowing base of the popper for roasting beans, at least one exhaust gas outlet, a transparent or translucent lid for covering the top and allowing the user to observe the color of the roasting beans and a screen mounted over the exhaust gas outlet. The screen is coated with a material that causes its surface to become electrostatically charged during the bean roasting process. In addition, a protective outer coating is deposited to completely cover the dielectric material to prevent this material from being destructively removed or electrochemically altered by the chemicals in cleaners for the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventor: David M. Cochran
  • Patent number: 5607649
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing a particulate material containing an inflammable component, such as ethanol or another solvent, comprises a fluidized bed chamber with a perforated bed plate arranged therein. The particulate material may be fluidized on the bed plate by supplying fluidizing air upwardly through perforations in the bed plate. In order to reduce the risk of explosion in the fluidizing air after its passage through the fluidized bed formed on the bed plate, dilution gas is fed into the fluidized bed chamber. The dilution gas is introduced into the fluidized bed chamber at least at one position spaced from the side walls of the chamber and preferably located centrally within the fluidized bed chamber in order to obtain a substantially uniform mixing of the dilution gas with the fluidizing air including the inflammable component immediately above the fluidized bed. The explosion safe gas mixture may be discharged from the upper part of the processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Niro Holding A/S
    Inventor: Ove Hansen
  • Patent number: 5577333
    Abstract: A method of drying articles is presented. The method generally comprises fluidizing solid media, contacting the article with the fluidized media for a sufficient amount of time to allow liquid to be transferred from the surface of the article to the solid media. Typically this involves forming a bed of solid material, fluidizing the bed then immersing the article to be dried in the fluidized bed. Using solid media to contact the wet parts, the water, and anything dissolved in it, is wicked away. The parts are dried in seconds with little residue and no heating. The solids used are typically porous and have very high surface area and can therefore be rapidly dried and reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Reed A. Shick, Norman G. Moll
  • Patent number: 5526938
    Abstract: A system for classifying and cooling particulate material produced by a fluid bed boiler comprises a vertical housing having an inlet for incoming particulate material and a first outlet for discharging exhaust and a second outlet for discharging solids. A fluidized bed of material is contained within the housing and is located directly above a bed of material. A gas distribution grid provides air to both beds for cooling the particulate material, and temperature measurement is used along with flow measurement to control gas velocity through the beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: David L. Kraft, Michael J. Szmania
  • Patent number: 5475084
    Abstract: A process for the production of a polycarbonate powder comprising introducing an organic solvent solution of polycarbonate and steam into a mixing nozzle and obtaining the polycarbonate powder from a mixture ejected from the mixing nozzle, wherein the organic solvent solution contains 3 to 45% by weight of the polycarbonate, and the ratio of the weight of steam/the weight of an organic solvent in the organic solvent solution is 1/10 to 1/5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Okamoto, Noriyuki Kunishi
  • Patent number: 5378434
    Abstract: This invention relates to a novel horizontal fluid bed reactor, which in a single unit, provides for the polymerization of monomer to polymer and mixed monomers to co-polymers. Within one reactor shell the reactor contains a plurality of polymerization stages which permit the achievement of narrow residence time distribution of the produced polymer. This arrangement also creates a sufficiently tight subdivision of the reactor volume which permits a plurality of gas circulation stages of different gas compositions, as well as, polymerization temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignees: Procedyne Corp., David Bruce
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Staffin, David S. Bruce
  • Patent number: 5355783
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating chaff from coffee and cocoa beans is designed for use in combination with the hot air blowing base of the common household consumer appliance, the electrical popcorn popper. The method comprises a hopper having an open top, an open bottom mountable over the hot air blowing base of the popper for roasting beans and an exhaust gas outlet, a lid for covering the top and a screen mounted over the exhaust gas outlet. The screen is coated with a material that causes its surface to become electrostatically charged during the bean roasting process. The chaff from the beans becomes separated during the roasting process and then is entrained in the exhaust gases which pass upward from the hot air blowing base for roasting the beans and through the open bottom. The chaff is collected on the electrostatically charged screen and is easily removed after the roasting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Inventor: David M. Cochran
  • Patent number: 5325603
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and apparatus for feeding solids to a fluidized bed reactor. A back pressure control valve regulates the pressure drop between the pressure above a solids column in a standpipe and the pressure in the reactor. Solids are fed from the standpipe via a conduit without valve means, the conduit contains a bend of an angle greater than the angle of repose of the solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Donald H. Eastham, James W. Reeves