Abstract: At least one aspect of the technology provides a self-contained processing facility configured to convert organic, high water-content waste, such as fecal sludge and garbage, into electricity while also generating and collecting potable water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of heat treatment of a product to be dehydrated, such as sludge from a waste water treatment process. The present invention relates more particularly to a method and to a facility for drying such a product, making it possible to implement a hydrothermal carbonization operation on reactor 1 followed by a filtering and drying operation, preferably on a heating filter press 6. In order to dry said product in the heating filter press 6, a heat-transfer fluid from a heat exchanger 2 is made to flow in said heating filter press. The heat exchanger 2 is arranged so as to transfer, to the heat-transfer fluid, at least some of the heat contained in the product to be dehydrated that is output from the reactor 1.

Abstract: In a general aspect, an apparatus for treating clothes includes a filter unit and a substance removal unit. The filter unit is positioned to filter substances from air discharged from an accommodating space and the substance removal unit is configured to move substances remaining on a portion of the filter unit. A method for controlling the apparatus for treating clothes includes detecting a condition related to the apparatus for treating clothes. The method further includes controlling, based on detection of the condition and without user input after detection of the condition, the substance removal unit to start removing substances remaining on the portion of the filter unit.

Abstract: In a general aspect, an apparatus for treating clothes includes a filter unit and a substance removal unit. The filter unit is positioned to filter substances from air discharged from an accommodating space and the substance removal unit is configured to move substances remaining on a portion of the filter unit. A method for controlling the apparatus for treating clothes includes detecting a condition related to the apparatus for treating clothes. The method further includes controlling, based on detection of the condition and without user input after detection of the condition, the substance removal unit to start removing substances remaining on the portion of the filter unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for removing liquid from a suspension. More particularly, the present invention relates to a filtration apparatus using vacuum pressure, compressed air and radiant heat to facilitate extraction of water from a suspension and an air flow within the vacuum chamber to remove the evaporate as a cost-efficient and resource-efficient means of filtering and drying solids in large volumes of suspension to remove interstitial and chemically bound liquids, resulting in up to 100% total solids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for processing wet material, in particular sewage sludge, having a plurality of drying stages. At least one high-temperature drying stage 2 and at least one low-temperature drying stage 10 are provided, wherein the waste heat of the at least one high-temperature drying stage 2 is used for heating the at least one low-temperature drying stage 10. Great savings in energy and economic efficiency can thereby be achieved. In addition, the invention relates to a plant for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A method of drying material uses two different temperature zones within a single chamber. The material enters the first temperature zone where it is indirectly heated by structures heated to a first temperature. The material then moves to the second temperature zone where it is indirectly heated by structures heated to a second temperature different from the first temperature. The second temperature may be greater than or less than the first temperature. The method is particularly useful for drying materials that have a tendency to foul the heated structures of a dryer, such as wastewater treatment sludges.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing polymer particles capable of increasing the easiness of handling of powder when the powder is collected and preventing the powder from adhering to the wall surface of a dryer and the outlet of the dryer from being clogged with the powder by suppressing the occurrence of ruptured particles to reduce the produced amount of the fine powder when polymer particles are produced by spraying and drying polymer latex, characterized in that, when the polymer latex having a minimum film forming temperature of 50° C. or higher is sprayed and dried with heating gas for drying in the dryer, the temperature of the heating gas for drying at the dryer outlet is less than the temperature obtained by adding 15° C. to the minimum film forming temperature of the polymer latex, the wet-bulb temperature thereof at the dryer outlet is higher than the temperature obtained by deducing 30° C.

Abstract: A process for treating waste products discharged in a waste water from an animal operation, such as a swine confinement facility includes a holding tank for receiving waste water from the flushing of the facility in which solids to accumulate at the bottom thereof; wherein as conveyor transfers solids from said bottom at a rate preventing agitation of the waste water, to a compactor for removing additional water content and to a product dryer for converting the solids into a dry product. The product dryer includes a water heating system with water lines connected in a closed loop to the holding tank. The heating system thermal treats the circulating waste water and waste solids to a temperature sufficient to reduce undesired constituents therein. The product dryer is vented to a separator for recovering ammonia contents in the waste material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making particles comprising: (a) spraying an emulsion, solution, or suspension, which comprises a solvent and a bulk material (e.g., a pharmaceutical agent), through an atomizer and into a primary drying chamber, having a drying gas flowing therethrough, to form droplets comprising the solvent and bulk material dispersed in the drying gas; (b) evaporating, in the primary drying chamber, at least a portion of the solvent into the drying gas to solidify the droplets and form particles dispersed in drying gas; and (c) flowing the particles and at least a portion of the drying gas through a jet mill to deagglomerate or grind the particles. By coupling spray drying with “in-line” jet milling, a single step process is created from two separate unit operations, and an additional collection step is advantageously eliminated. The one-step, in-line process has further advantages in time and cost of processing.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for processing sewerage sludge and other organic based feedstocks, in an energy efficient manner that minimizes or eliminates unwanted byproducts, including pathogens, and generates useful environmentally safe products, wherein the sewage sludge or other feedstocks are partially dried before being input to a gasifier operating under partial pyrolytic conditions to produce synthesis gas, bio-oil fuel, and char; a percentage of which may be used to maintain the operation of the system after it is started in order to make the system economically viable.

Abstract: A method of dewatering fine particulate materials is disclosed. In this method, an aqueous slurry of fine particles is treated with appropriate hydrophobizing reagents so that the particulate material becomes moderately hydrophobic. A lipid of vegetable or animal origin is then added to the slurry in solutions of light hydrocarbon oils and short-chain alcohols, so that the hydrophobic lipid molecules adsorb on the moderately hydrophobic surface and, thereby, greatly enhance its hydrophobicity. By virtue of the enhanced hydrophobicty, the water molecules adhering to the surface are destabilized and more readily removed during the process of mechanical dewatering. The moisture reduction can be further improved using appropriate electrolytes in conjunction with the lipids, spraying surface tension lowering reagents onto the filter cake, subjecting the cake to a suitable vibratory means, and using combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for treatment of water works sludge. Water works sludge is a waste product that at present is returned to the recipient that the water works takes it water from. This cannot continue in the long run. The water works sludge must be taken care of. Significant for the method according to the invention is that the water works sludge is dried in a first step is dried, then the water works sludge is air-dried in a second step to a dry matter content of 30-80%. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the dried water works sludge is further processed to an absorber, especially absorbers for oil or urine from cats, the dried water works sludge being crushed or subjected to further drying.

Abstract: In the present method of drying iron ore pellets, e.g., magnetite pellets, moisture-containing iron ore pellets are formed into a bed comprising a multiplicity of the pellets. A current of drying gas is forced through the bed of pellets to at least partially dry some of the pellets. At least one jet of a drying gas that contains added oxygen is directed onto the bed of pellets so to impinge upon a surface of the pellet bed thereby providing kinetic energy for directing oxygen including the added oxygen into the pellets so as to enhance the conversion of magnetite to hematite. Moisture can be added to heated air that is then blown through jet nozzles onto the pellet bed or circulated back to an earlier drying stage and passed through the bed.

Abstract: A fiber containing pulp, such as chemical pulp, mechanical pulp, thermomechanical pulp, TMP, de-inked water, or fiber containing sludge, is dried in an effective and efficient manner. The wet pulp is first dewatered mechanically, such as by using a drum or screw press. Then dewatered pulp is passed to a dryer. The dryer has first and second apertured cylindrical surfaces defining a gap between them, and drying gas is blown through one of the apertured surfaces, then through a pulp layer moving in the drying gap between the cylindrical surfaces, and then through the apertures in the other cylindrical surface, to evaporate water from the pulp and dry it to a dry matter content of over 80%, preferably about 85-90%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in removing at least one volatile contaminant from contaminated material by using a rotary vacuum retort during high temperature and vacuum processing. The loading and unloading are performed in a manner that minimizes the introduction of low boiling point gases. The apparatus employs, in one preferred embodiment, elastomeric pinch valve airlocks to isolate the entire system between the airlocks and a vacuum generator. The apparatus employs, in another preferred embodiment, at least one material transfer element. Furthermore, the contaminated material may be dried in a dryer prior to introduction into the retort. Moreover, the decontaminated material can be cooled through a heat exchanger prior to discharge.

Abstract: A continuous process for the dewatering of a wide variety of solid-liquid matrices, including primary and secondary sludge, involves the simultaneous application of pressure and heat to the solid-liquid matrices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for continuous dehydration of sludge wherein, prior to dehydration, water is mechanically removed from the sludge, and the thus obtained sludge of cutting consistency is mixed with heated spheres. Dehydration is carried out at reduced pressure, wherein the sludge from which water has been mechanically removed is intimately mixed with the heated spheres in order to increase the heat capacity of the sludge. The dehydrated sludge and the cooled spheres are then separated from each other, the dehydrated sludge is removed, while the cooled spheres are reheated and subsequently added to fresh sludge that is to be dehydrated. The spheres are partly heated by means of water vapor coming from the sludge and partly by means of steam. The spheres are made from steel, having a diameter of 8-16 mm. The pressure in the system ranges form approx. 2 bars to approx. 0.05 bar. An apparatus is also provided for carrying out the method.

Abstract: In the present method of drying iron ore pellets, e.g., magnetite pellets, moisture-containing iron ore pellets are formed into a bed comprising a multiplicity of the pellets. A current of drying gas is forced upwardly through the bed of pellets to at least partially dry some of the pellets. A plurality of pipes, each having an opening such as an elongated slot provides counter-current jets of a drying gas above the bed. The drying gas jets are directed downwardly so as to impinge on the upper surface of the bed through which the current of drying gas rises. The bed of pellets is thus dried with the current of drying gas flowing through the bed from below as well as the jets of drying gas impinging onto the upper surface of the bed. In a preferred form of the invention, in a second stage downwardly directed jets of drying gas are used together with a downward current of drying gas to further dry the pellets before they are fired.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in continuously loading material to be treated into a rotary vacuum retort and continuously unloading one or more vapors or similar volatile substances and treated material out of the rotary vacuum retort during high temperature and high vacuum processing. The loading and unloading are performed in a manner that minimizes the introduction of low boiling point gases. The apparatus employs, in one preferred embodiment, elastomeric pinch valve airlocks to isolate the entire system between the airlocks and a vacuum generator. Furthermore, the material being treated may be dried in a dryer prior to introduction into the retort. Moreover, the processed material can be cooled through a heat exchanger to permit the use of a low temperature pinch valve airlock on the discharge end of the process.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel processes for the dewatering of a wide variety of solid-liquid matrices, including primary and secondary sludge, which involve the simultaneous application of pressure and heat to the solid-liquid matrices.

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.

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: 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: A process and an apparatus is disclosed for drying sludge or other materials, more specifically, sewage sludge, in which a mixture of base material and wet material is introduced to a drier and passing hot gas or hot air passed over the mixture. The process and apparatus by regulating the feed rate of the wet material (wet sludge) in relation to the exit temperature of the hot gas or hot air from the drier. In embodiments, the feed rate of material is adjusted to maintain a substantially constant temperature of the gas.

Abstract: The device for continuous filtration and drying of a solid suspension comprises a belt filter (1) and downstream a belt drier (2). By means of a porous conveyor belt (3) the filter cake generated in the belt filter (1) is conveyed further into the belt drier (2) in which there are provided heating devices for heating and drying the filter cake (7) which is on the conveyor belt (3). After leaving the belt filter (1), the filter cake (7) is present on the conveyor belt (3) in the form of a gas-permeable bed of solids in layer form having a maximum layer thickness of 50 mm, preferably a maximum of 20 mm. The heating devices in the belt drier comprise, on the one hand, a hot gas chamber (8) disposed above the conveyor belt (3) to generate a hot gas which flows through the bed of solids downwardly from above and, on the other hand, one or more contact heating elements (10, 15, 18, 19, 20, 22) disposed above and/or below the conveyor belt (3).

Abstract: A device and method for drying a fluorescent material are provided. The device includes a container having a predetermined space for containing a fluorescent material, a first driver for rotating the container, a heater for heating the container, a vacuum unit for creating a partial vacuum in the container to discharge moist air from the container, a supplier for supplying dry air to the container, an exhausting unit for exhausting the fluorescent material dried in the container, and a controller for controlling the respective device and the first dryer. The drying method includes the steps of placing a cleaned fluorescent material into a dryer, heating the dryer while rotating the dryer, injecting dry air into the dryer and exhausting moist air from the dryer, and vacuum-transferring the fluorescent material from the dryer to a predetermined storage tank.

Abstract: An improved slurry dryer of the type having a plurality of beater blades carried on a rotating shaft in a cylindrical housing, the improvement in combination therewith of a plurality of scraper blades mounted on at least one disk carried by the rotating shaft at the inlet end of the dryer for scraping the cylindrical side wall and the end wall to prevent the material entering the dryer from adhering and remaining on the side and end wall of the cylindrical housing. The scraper blades are replaceable and adjustable with respect to the side and end walls of the housing by slotted mounting to accommodate wear of the scraper blades. An air dam in the form of a radially extending disk is provided downstream of the scraper blade disks to direct drying air radially outward to impinge on the slurry material to be dried.

Abstract: Vaporizing and concentration drying apparatus and method are disclosed. The apparatus and method prepare good quality of condensed water and save evaporation energy and are wide used in making contaminated waste water become distilled water and in purification of the waste water and in concentration and drying of varieties of environmental polluting sludge. The apparatus and method recover and reuse the heating energy, which energy was applied to the vapor so as to heat the vapor to a high temperature and to remove the environmental polluting impurities, such as odor, B.O.D. and C.O.D. laden in the vapor, so that the apparatus and method remarkably save the cost for the heating energy. The apparatus saves the energy by 2-10 times in comparison with the conventional apparatus.

Abstract: Process and device for the treatment of lumpy products using process media, the treatment including a predetermined sequence of process steps. A chain of treatment units is moved in a stepwise manner. The product to be treated remains within the same treatment unit for the duration of the sequence of the process steps. A supply unit supplies and removes process media in a stopping-station specific manner so that the process steps can proceed simultaneously in the treatment units.

Abstract: A process for the production of pourable, free-flowing granules which are suitable for use as wetting agents, detergents or cleaning products from aqueous solutions or suspensions of such materials in a fluidized-bed spray granulation apparatus employing a hot fluidizing gas. The aqueous selections or suspensions are dried with superheated steam as the fluidizing and drying gas wherein the drying step is carried out in a closed-loop system comprising a steam circuit from which the water evaporated from the aqueous solutions or suspensions of starting materials is removed as a partial stream and the thermal energy released is returned to the steam circuit. The granules are discharged from the granulation apparatus before they can be damaged by heat.

Abstract: A system for drying municipal sludge to reduce its moisture content and harmful pathogens to a level suitable for direct land application includes a cellular conveyor belt defining pockets which are filled with moist sludge and which is carried through multiple runs in a drying chamber over heat conducting supporting pans in a manner causing inversion of the sludge filled belt for at least one of the runs. Heated drying air is supplied directly to the sludge from above along each run and indirectly by conduction to the sludge from the supporting pans below along each run to provide uniform and rapid drying with maximum efficiency.