Abstract: Systems and methods for separating fluids from drill cuttings. Specifically, the invention relates to shakers that incorporate a vacuum system and methods of operating such systems to effect a high degree of fluid separation. The system and methods are effective across a variety of screen sizes, vacuum flows and vacuum designs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for separating a slurry mixture into its constituent melted liquid form and solid frozen form. This involves forcing the slurry mixture through an inlet into a vessel and through the vessel to an opening, wherein the vessel comprises a plurality of perforations dimensioned to receive a liquid flow from the slurry mixture to dry the slurry mixture; vibrating the vessel and the slurry mixture within the vessel to shake the material in the melted liquid form out through the plurality of perforations to dry the slurry mixture; and, extracting the dried slurry mixture from the opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for removing fluids, particularly entrained and/or adherent fluids, from drill cuttings created during the well drilling process. An apron assembly collects drill cuttings and deposits such cuttings on a central rotor having multiple distinct chambers. A first chamber is loaded with drill cuttings. The central rotor thereafter cycles to a second position wherein a pressure seal is formed around the loaded first chamber. An air knife or similar device is used to blast compressed gas at the cuttings in the sealed chamber and force the cuttings against a screen. Solid components of the cuttings remain in the sealed chamber, while liquid components pass through the screen and are collected using an auger assembly. Following such separation, the rotor is cycled again, allowing dried cuttings to empty from the first chamber. The process is repeated for each chamber of the rotor.

Abstract: A lyophilization device configured for use in a lyophilization process has a body defining a chamber for receiving a liquid to be lyophilized, and a stopper creating a liquid-tight seal between the chamber and ambient atmosphere to form a sealed, empty sterile chamber. The stopper is adapted so that the chamber may be sterile filled with the substance through the stopper. A fluid passageway is formed through the stopper, through which the chamber is evacuated. The substance is lyophilized, the fluid passageway is closed, and the lyophilized substance is hermetically sealed within the chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device, as well as the variants thereof, which operates continuously or discontinuously for the agglomeration and/or drying of powder materials using selective infrared irradiation on a surface which is continually supplied with renewed powder, with or without the spraying of liquids. The process can be performed in sealed conditions or open to the atmosphere, with or without the recovery of volatile components.

Abstract: A device and related method are provided for lyophilizing a substance within the device and storing therein the lyophilized substance. The device is penetrable by a needle for filling the device with the substance to be lyophilized, and a resulting needle hole in the device is laser resealable by transmitting thereon laser radiation from a laser source. The device defines a chamber for receiving therein the substance to be lyophilized. A needle penetrable and laser resealable portion of the device is pierceable with a needle to form a needle aperture therethrough to fill the chamber with the substance to be lyophilized through the needle, and is laser resealable to hermetically seal the needle aperture by applying laser radiation thereto.

Abstract: A method of processing solid waste material includes storing solid waste material in a storage conveyor, the conveyor including a trough with a deck and opposing side walls disposed to either side of the deck, a plurality of resilient members supporting the trough above a surface, and a vibration generator coupled to the trough to move solid waste material stored in the trough along the deck to an outlet. The method also includes activating the vibration generator to move the solid waste material along the deck to the outlet, receiving the solid waste material in a container, and supplying steam to the container to heat the solid waste material received therein to generate treated solid waste material. A system for carrying out the process is also provided.

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 clothes drying cabinet is provided with a shaker assembly including a bar suspended in the cabinet for supporting clothes hangers. A motor is mounted adjacent the bar and has a drive shaft. A drive weight is eccentrically mounted to the drive shaft of the motor so that upon actuation of the motor, the drive weight imparts a shaking motion to the bar so as to facilitate removal of wrinkles from the clothing on the hangers. A ballast weight may also be provided in the shaker assembly so as to evenly distribute the energy from the eccentric weight regardless of the weight of the clothes hanging on the bar.

Abstract: A blueberry drying apparatus is disclosed that includes a longitudinally extending produce conveyer and a drying chamber through which the conveyer passes. The conveyer belt is constructed of a wire mesh, which allows air flow through the conveyer. The drying chamber includes two separate sets of fans. One set of fans is mounted above the conveyer and blows air directly onto the berries carried atop the conveyer. The other set of fans is mounted below the conveyer and draws air through the conveyer and around the berries.

Abstract: This invention is a method for producing a cerium-based abrasive which includes: a step of grinding raw material for the cerium-based abrasive; a step of roasting the ground raw material; and a step of subjecting the roasted raw material to wet processing, the method being characterized in that it further includes a lower-temperature re-roasting step of heating the wet-processed raw material at 200 to 700° C. In the invention disclosed in this application, an abrasive with particularly preferable properties can be produced by fully drying the wet-processed raw material in a drying step, and subsequently subjecting the dried raw material to the lower-temperature re-roasting step.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for continuously drying vegetables, particularly leaf vegetables, comprising a mechanical drying section and a thermodynamic drying section, said mechanical drying section comprising a preliminary dripping section and a water removal section, or de-watering section, and said thermodynamic drying section comprising a hot section and a cold section.

Abstract: Workpieces requiring low levels of contamination, such as semiconductor wafers, are loaded into a workpiece support or holder within a process chamber. The process chamber has a drain opening, slot or edge. The chamber is closed via a door. A process or rinsing liquid is introduced into the chamber. The liquid rises to a level so that the workpieces are immersed in the liquid. The chamber slowly pivots or rotates to move the drain opening down to the level of the liquid. The liquid drains out through the drain opening. The drain opening is kept near the surface of the liquid to drain off liquid at a uniform rate. An organic solvent vapor is introduced above the liquid to reduce or prevent droplets of liquid from remaining on the workpieces as the liquid drains off. An outer chamber may be provided around the process chamber to provide increased control of the process environment.

Abstract: A system for high-pressure drying of semiconductor wafers includes the insertion of a wafer into an open vessel, the immersion of the wafer in a liquid, pressure-sealing of the vessel, pressurization of the vessel with an inert gas, and then the controlled draining of the liquid using a moveable drain that extracts water from a depth maintained just below the gas-liquid interface. Thereafter, the pressure may be reduced in the vessel and the dry and clean wafer may be removed. The high pressure suppresses the boiling point of liquids, thus allowing higher temperatures to be used to optimize reactivity. Megasonic waves are used with pressurized fluid to enhance cleaning performance. Supercritical substances are provided in a sealed vessel containing a wafer to promote cleaning and other treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making the drying of materials, particularly finely divided materials, more effective, in which method, of a slurry containing liquid and solids there is made a filter cake (2,12,22) onto the surface of the filter medium (1,11,21). According to the invention, the filter cake (2,12,22) and the oscillator (6,15,25) are arranged, in relation to each other, so that in between the filter cake (2,12,22) and the oscillator (6,15,25), there is generated an acoustic field by virtue of a mechanical contact between the filter cake (2,12,22) and the oscillator (6,15,25) or a structural element (7,16,26) connected to the oscillator.

Abstract: A certain quantity of product to be dried, in powder or granular form, is sucked into a vessel located inside a vacuum container. The vessel is heated by a heat transfer fluid circulating in a gap made between an inner wall and an outer wall of the vessel. The vessel is made to vibrate by a vibrator so that the product comes constantly into contact with the heated inner wall in such a way that the product is dried.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high-pressure drying of semiconductor wafers includes the insertion of a wafer into an open vessel, the immersion of the wafer in a liquid, pressure-sealing of the vessel, pressurization of the vessel with an inert gas, and then the controlled draining of the liquid using a moveable drain that extracts water from a depth maintained just below the gas-liquid interface. Thereafter, the pressure may be reduced in the vessel and the dry and clean wafer may be removed. The high pressure suppresses the boiling point of liquids, thus allowing higher temperatures to be used to optimize reactivity. Megasonic waves are used with pressurized fluid to enhance cleaning performance. Supercritical substances are provided in a sealed vessel containing a wafer to promote cleaning and other treatment.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cleaning and/or drying objects that may have been wetted or contaminated in a manufacturing process. The objects are submerged in a rinse liquid in an enclosed chamber, and aerosol particles from a selected liquid are introduced into the chamber above the rinse liquid surface, forming a thin film on this surface. As the rinse liquid is slowly drained, some aerosol particles settle onto the exposed surfaces of the objects, and displace and remove rinse liquid residues from the exposed surfaces by a “chemical squeegeeing” effect. Surface contaminants are also removed by this process. Chamber pressure is maintained at or near the external environment pressure as the rinse liquid is drained from the chamber. Inert gas flow is employed to provide aerosol particles of smaller size and/or with greater dispersion within the chamber. Continuous filtering and shunt filtering are employed to remove most contaminants from the selected liquid.

Abstract: An improved drying chamber, which in the preferred embodiment is employed with an x-ray film processor, includes an infrared heater source. Preferably the infrared source is positioned to dry respective first and second sides of a material requiring drying, for example x-ray film. The infrared source includes a control circuit for driving the infrared source. The frequency at which the infrared source operates is chosen so as to cause fluid particles being dried to resonate, permitting a more efficient heating cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dehydrating solid products containing moisture, particularly food products, includes a hot gas stream device for creating a hot gas stream over the products to be dehydrated and an ultrasonic wave emitting system for directing ultrasonic waves over the products. The dehydrating apparatus includes a closed housing and at least one conveyor mounted in the housing for transporting the products. The ultrasonic wave emitting system includes a plurality of ultrasonic diffusing plates which are connected to sound wave generators and are in direct contact with the products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying grain in which a plurality of conveyors are mounted one above the other. The discharge end of one conveyor feeds the input end of the next lower conveyor. The conveyors have a porous top surface and are vibrated to move the grain. Warm air is conveyed beneath the top conveyor and every other conveyor thereafter. Cool air is conveyed beneath the conveyor beneath the top conveyor and every other conveyor thereafter. The warm and cool air passes through the porous top surfaces of the conveyors. Thus the conveyors alternately heat and cool the grain to remove moisture to the desired level. The apparatus can be free standing or mounted as part of a combine or harvester.

Abstract: Physical effects produced within RMS resonators are utilized as a means to process materials within the resonator including for example one or more of comminution, converting liquids into vapors and gases, drying of powders, rapid mixing of gases and various materials, agglomeration, de-agglomeration, granulation, chemical reactions, stratification/separation, and the destruction of biological material.

Abstract: A method and device for thermal drying of a solid product in small pieces utilizing a first contact element and a second contact element between which a layer of the solid product can be brought into contact. The first contact element and, opposed thereto, the second contact element, are arranged so that at least one contact element is heated comprising a heat source forming part and at least one of the contact elements is gas permeable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for cooling and reducing fluoride emissions from a hot, spent anode butt removed from an electrolysis cell. The system comprises an elongated fluidised bed cooling chamber comprising particles of alumina and conveyor means for transporting a hot, spent anode butt through the fluidised bed. A lower air distributor is provided for injecting fluidising air into the chamber to create the fluidised bed and an upper air distributor is provided which is adapted to direct fluidised particles into contact with the top surface of the hot anode butt, whereby the fluidised bed surrounds the hot anode butt and serves to simultaneously uniformly cool the hot anode butt and significantly reduce fluoride emissions from the hot anode butt.

Abstract: A system and method is described for processing waste citrus peel to remove oil from the peel in a highly efficient manner for subsequent processing, where the temperature of the peel is elevated, the peel is then finely fragmented to create a slurry, the solid particles are removed from the slurry and dried, and the oil is separated from the water in the slurry. The temperature of the peel is elevated by exposing the peel to steam so that minimal water is added.

Abstract: The field of the invention is food drying apparatus and methods. In particular, the invention discloses a rotary dryer which dries food granules, such as rice, by rotation within a perforated cylindrical barrel, to prepare the rice for packaging. The dryer provides high velocity drying zones along its length, and high temperatures may be used.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drying and/or cleaning a workpiece, such as an electronic part, semiconductor wafer, printed circuit board or the like. As the workpiece is withdrawn from a processing liquid, a selected drying liquid, such as hydrofluoroether (HFE), ethylated HFE, an HFE azeotrope or an ethylated HFE azeotrope, that has a very small surface tension, is volatile, and has a density that is greater than the processing liquid density, is sprayed on, dribbled on or otherwise transferred to an exposed surface of the workpiece. The exposed surface may be stationary, may be rotating or may be moving along a selected path. The workpiece can be dried in 5-60 seconds, or less, in most situations and can be cleaned using the invention. Drying and/or cleaning can be performed in a single workpiece process, a single workpiece continuous process or a batch process.

Abstract: In order to remove water adhering to the surfaces of cleaned semiconductor wafers W, a vibration transmitting device 20 capable of approaching the surfaces of the semiconductor wafers W, and an oscillator 25 for applying an ultrasonic vibration to the vibration transmitting device 20. The oscillator 25 is driven to apply the ultrasonic vibration to the vibration transmitting plates 24 of the vibration transmitting device 20 and to apply energy of the ultrasonic vibration to a gas between the vibration transmitting device 20 and the surfaces of the semiconductor wafer W to remove water adhering the surfaces of the semiconductor wafers W. Thus, it is possible to surely remove water adhering to the surfaces of cleaned objects to be treated, to dry the objects without the need of a dry gas of an organic solvent vapor, such as IPA.

Abstract: An agitated bed apparatus (20) for heating, cooling, and/or drying particulate material (152) is provided which includes a housing (22) having an elongated flexible bed (24) therein adapted to receive the material (152). An agitator assembly (26) made up of a series of rotatable beater bar units (70) is located below the bed (24) and oriented for repeatedly impacting the bed (24) to establish an undulating bed movement for elevation and tumbling of the particulate material (152). A material conditioning unit (156) such as an infrared heating unit array (28) is located above the bed (24) so as to expose the particulate material (152) to hot, cool, or ambient air for heating, drying, or cooling thereof. In another embodiment, the apparatus (20) includes a plurality of units (156) which are slidably removable from the housing (22) of the apparatus (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making the drying finely divided materials, more effective in a suction drier provided with a fine porous suction surface, where the radii of the fine pores of the suction surface are essentially within the range of 0.5-2 micrometers, and in which method, of a slurry containing liquid and solids there is made a filter cake (2,12,22) onto a fine porous liquid suction surface constituting the filter surface of the filter medium (1,11,21), According to the invention, the filter cake (2,12,22) and an oscillator (6,15,25) are arranged, in relation to each other, so that in between the filter cake (2,12,22) and the oscillator (6,15,25), there is generated an acoustic field by virtue of a mechanical contact between the filter cake (2,12,22) and the oscillator (6,15,25) or a structural element (7,16,26) connected to the oscillator.

Abstract: An agitated bed drying apparatus (20) for particulate material (152) is provided which includes a housing (22) having an elongated, essentially imperforate, flexible bed (24) therein adapted to receive the material (152). An agitator assembly (26) made up of a series of rotatable beater bar units (70) is located below the bed (24) and oriented for repeatedly impacting the bed (24) to establish an undulating bed movement for elevation and tumbling of the particulate material (152). An infrared heating unit array (28) is located above the bed (24) so as to expose the particulate material (152) to IR radiation for most effective drying thereof. Alternately, the bed (24) may be in the form of a length of material (58) mounted in tension and against translation within housing (24), or as a continuous belt (136).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drying and/or cleaning a workpiece, such as an electronic part, semiconductor wafer, printed circuit board or the like. As the workpiece is withdrawn from a processing liquid, a selected drying liquid, such as hydrofluoroether (HFE) or an HFE azeotrope, that has a very small surface tension, is volatile, and has a density that is greater than the processing liquid density, is sprayed on, dribbled on or otherwise transferred to an exposed surface of the workpiece. The workpiece can be dried in 7-45 seconds, or less, in most situations and can be cleaned using the invention. Drying and/or cleaning can be performed in a single workpiece process, a single workpiece continuous process or a batch process.

Abstract: Methods for cleaning and/or drying objects that may have been wetted or contaminated in a manufacturing process. The objects are submerged in a rinse liquid in an enclosed chamber, and aerosol particles from a selected liquid are introduced into the chamber above the rinse liquid surface, forming a thin film on this surface. As the rinse liquid is slowly drained, some aerosol particles settle onto the exposed surfaces of the objects, and displace and remove rinse liquid residues from the exposed surfaces, possibly by a "chemical squeegeeing" effect. Surface contaminants are also removed by this process which may be performed at about room temperature. Chamber pressure is maintained at or near the external environment pressure as the rinse liquid is drained from the chamber. Inert gas flow is employed to provide aerosol particles of smaller size and/or with greater dispersion within the chamber. Continuous filtering and shunt filtering are employed to remove most contaminants from the selected liquid.

Abstract: Methods for drying and cleaning objects that may have been wetted or contaminated in a manufacturing process. The objects are submerged in a rinse liquid in an enclosed chamber, and aerosol particles from a selected liquid are introduced into the chamber above the rinse liquid surface, forming a thin film on this surface. As the rinse liquid is slowly drained, some aerosol particles settle onto the exposed surfaces of the objects, and displace and remove rinse liquid residues from the exposed surfaces, possibly by a "chemical squeegeeing" effect. Surface contarminants are also removed by this process, which may be carried out at or near room temperature. Chamber pressure is maintained at or near the external environment pressure as the rinse liquid is drained from the chamber.

Abstract: A liquid removal conveyor system that includes a liquid permeable conveyor belt, a vertically movable agitator and an air suction plenum. The agitator is positioned below and adjacent to the conveyor belt so that, when the agitator moves up and down, it intermittently deflects the conveyor belt. The air suction plenum is positioned below and adjacent to the conveyor belt near the agitator. As the agitator intermittently deflects the conveyor belt, it jostles the material carried on the conveyor belt and the air suction plenum sucks the liquid off the jostled material. The agitator consists of a rotatable shaft and a lobe attached to the shaft. As the shaft rotates, the lobe intermittently deflects the conveyor belt. The agitator lobe may be constructed as a single elongated member that extends across substantially the full width of the conveyor belt, or it may be constructed as two or more discontinuous segments.

Abstract: A method for drying moist products includes subjecting the products to an irregular movement and collecting and discharging the moisture that is released by the irregular movement of the products. The products are moved in an irregular manner by subjecting them to an air stream which varies over time. In this way the products are dried efficiently and quickly, without risk of damaging the products. An apparatus is provided for carrying out the method, having an assembly for subjecting the products to an irregular movement, an assembly for collecting moisture released by the products and an assembly for discharging the collected moisture, wherein the assembly for irregularly moving the products includes an assembly for generating an air stream that varies over time and guiding this air stream along the products.

Abstract: A method of drying organic or inorganic material or a mixture thereof, said material containing a liquid or liquids, which comprises introducing said material interiorly of a rotating rotor carrying on its periphery oscillating rotor blades, said rotor rotating about the axis of a process chamber having an inner surface with substantially axially extending ribs, said rotating rotor causing the material introduced interiorly of said rotor to be propelled radially outwardly of said axis of rotation and to expel liquid or liquids from said materials, and the oscillating rotor blades and the opposing ribs causing vibrational forces and turbulence to be induced into the outwardly flowing liquid so as to form a mist. Apparatus for carrying out said method is also described.

Abstract: The arrangement for treating combustion residues of a combustion installation comprises an ash discharger into which opens a fall shaft, into which the solid combustion residues fall from a furnace grate. The ash is conveyed from the ash discharger into the discharge shaft via a diagonally ascending push-out chute by a push-out ram whose operating rate is so adjusted that the ash is piled up in the fall shaft in a tower formation reaching above the liquid level. Fresh water or a chemical is introduced into the discharge shaft via an inlet. The ash discharger water present in the ash discharger and charged with fine particles is drained into a hermetically sealed settling tank via a draw-off duct. Ash discharger water, with which a chemical can be mixed via another line, is fed from the upper region of the settling tank by a pump via a return line to spray nozzles which are arranged in the upper region of the fall shaft.

Abstract: Seed cotton on a wire mesh belt is dryed and cleaned by a downflow of heated air. The natural separation and falling of trash from the belt is increased by shaking the mass of seed cotton upon the wire mesh belt. The belt is flexed to shake the seed cotton upon it. The belt is flexed by running the belt over "V" shaped intermittent supports. The belt is also shaken by being bumped by gussets on rollers beneath the belt. The air is exhausted from beneath the belt by ducts extending across the chamber. The tops of the ducts are inclined planes so that the trash slides from the top of the duct and does not accumulate on the top.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for low-cost extraction of oil residues from oil filters. The apparatus of the invention has a mounting structure or plate to which a number of oil filters can be strapped. Over 95% of the oil in each filter can be drained therefrom under the influence of gravitational forces. Oil draining from the oil filters is allowed to gather in a pan, bucket, container or well located below the mounting plate. Connected to the mounting structure is a mechanical or electrical oscillator for imparting a vibratory oscillation to the mounting structure and, hence, to the mounted oil filters. The weak surface tension and molecular forces between the residual oil molecules and the paper filter materials will be overcome by the vibration, and the residual oil will run off.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for extracting water from ash that has been quenched in water bath of an ash discharger and which is expelled from the water bath by means of a discharge ram through a discharge chute includes an improvement wherein the discharge chute of the ash discharger is caused to vibrate. The vibration is provided by a vibration generator, particularly of the unbalanced type.