Abstract: Embodiments provide a multi-pass kiln with two or more chambers, an entrance and an exit at a proximal end of the kiln, and a reciprocal flow path extending through the kiln from the entrance to the exit. Lumber charges traveling along the reciprocal flow path may travel in a first direction along one side of the heated second chamber before traveling in a substantially opposite second direction along the opposite side of the second chamber. The distal end of the kiln may be substantially sealed, and a pressure differential between the distal end and the proximal end may draw moist heated air from the heated chamber toward the exit and entry to preheat and/or condition lumber charges traveling through the first chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus including: a rotatable belt having an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface partially coming into contact with a sheet; a plurality of rollers being arranged in a direction of movement of the sheet and including a first roller and a second roller adjacent to each other, the plurality of rollers being pressed against the outer surface and the moving sheet being nipped between the plurality of rollers and the outer surface; a blowing mechanism configured to blow hot air from between the first roller and the second roller toward the sheet; and a heating unit including a heater and a contact surface coming into contact with the inner surface, the heating unit being configured to be able to set the contact surface thereof to have a predetermined non-uniform temperature distribution.

Abstract: A substrate processing method comprises the step of subjecting a substrate to drying processing in at least one of a processing section and an interface, wherein the step of subjecting the substrate to the drying processing comprises the steps of: rotating the substrate at a first rotational speed around an axis perpendicular to the substrate, while holding the substrate horizontally, forming a liquid layer on the substrate in a state where the substrate is rotated at the first rotational speed, gradually and continuously increasing the rotational speed of the substrate to a second rotational speed after the formation of the liquid layer, and starting discharging a gas to the liquid layer on the substrate while the substrate is rotated at the second rotational speed.

Abstract: A method includes determining how to adjust one or more manipulated variables using at least one model. The one or more manipulated variables are associated with a sugar dryer. The method also includes generating one or more control signals to control one or more controlled variables associated with the sugar dryer. The one or more controlled variables include an outfall temperature associated with the sugar dryer, and the one or more manipulated variables include a rate at which wet material is provided to the sugar dryer. The sugar dryer could include multiple sugar dryers. At least two of the sugar dryers could operate using different fuels. The one or more control signals could be generated to control the rates at which the wet material is provided to the multiple sugar dryers based on costs associated with the different fuels.

Abstract: Method for controlling a drying course of a laundry dryer including the steps of (a) starting a drying course by using high temperature drying air, and sensing dryness of a drying object periodically, (b) determining a dryness saturation time point at which the dryness sensed thus exceeds a preset reference value Q, (c) determining a load of the drying object according to the drying saturation time point T_sat, and (d) varying a drying algorithm depending on the load of the drying object determined thus, whereby preventing a small amount of laundry from sticking to a drum in a drying course by varying a control algorithm of the drying motor in a case an amount of the drying object is determined to be small accurately with reference to a saturation time point of an electrode sensor.

Abstract: A web coating machine for coating a web of material having first and second faces and a web travel path, the web coating machine including a tension zone in a portion of the web travel path, a fixed port structure over which the web travels, and a web positioning device including at least one gas flow port in the port structure capable of generating a vacuum that brings the first face of the web of material into contact with a portion of the port structure immediately surrounding one of more of the gas flow ports and reduces, retards or arrests longitudinal travel of the web of material through the web coating machine.

Abstract: A variable representing runnability of a paper web to be manufactured with a paper machine or processed with a finishing apparatus is measured and the speed difference between operational groups of the paper machine and/or the finishing apparatus is adjusted on the basis of the measurement of said variable such that the moisture profile of the paper web is measured substantially along the entire width of the paper web, the minimum and maximum values for moisture are defined on the basis of the moisture profile, a drawing window describing the allowable tension to be directed to the paper web is defined, the lower and upper limits of the drawing window being defined on the basis of the minimum and maximum values for moisture, and the speed difference between the operational groups is adjusted so that the paper web tension is within the range defined by the drawing window.

Abstract: In a paper machine which comprises process elements and a measuring beam, the measuring beam is arranged at least at one paper machine process element so that a measuring device for measuring quality properties of a paper web is arrangeable in the measuring beam. The paper machine process element is e.g. a blow box, which is arrangeable in a dryer unit of the paper machine between drying cylinders to blow air via at least one blow air channel provided in the blow box to guide the moving paper web and/or to assist drying.

Abstract: A dryer for drying photographic material and a transfer assembly for transferring processed photographic film from a processor to the dryer. The dryer comprises a path through which the photographic material extends wherein at least one slack loop is provided in the photographic material. An adjustable roller is provided along the path to adjust a size of the slack loop and an air supply arrangement is adapted to provide drying air to the slack loop.

Abstract: A photographic processing apparatus includes a photographic paper processing bath train. A drier, positioned downstream from the train, heats air and dries the photographic paper. Feeding racks feed the paper in a predetermined travel path which begins on an upstream side of the train, extends therethrough, and ends at the drier. A memory is accessed to estimate expected travel time t1 for passing of the paper through the travel path. The memory is accessed to estimate expected warmup time t2 for warming up the air in the drier to a target temperature T2. A controller compares the time t1 and the time t2, initially starts heating in the drier if the time t2 is longer than the time t1, and starts actuation of the feeding racks when a time difference (t2-t1) elapses after start of the heating to synchronize drier warmup to temperature T2 with paper reaching the drier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for monitoring the wheels (R1, R2, R3, R4) of a motor vehicle (10) for fault states, in particular for incorrect tire pressures, each wheel (R1, R2, R3, R4) to be monitored being assigned a wheel unit (E1, E2, E3, E4) which, after the reception of a trigger signal (TR), supplies data (D1, D2, D3, D4) which is suitable for detecting a fault state and/or for determining the wheel position (FL, FR, RL, RR) of at least one wheel (R1, R2, R3, R4). There is provision for a portable transmitter (12) which can be included with which a trigger signal (TR), in particular a radio-frequency trigger signal, can be generated for at least one wheel unit (E1, E2, E3, E4).

Abstract: A process for drying a polymeric material present on a substrate is provided. Temperatures of the polymeric material is measured and the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the substrate. A temperature of the substrate is also measured. A variation in the measured ambient temperature is detected. The substrate temperature, polymeric temperature, ambient temperature or a substrate drying spin speed is adjusted in response to the detected variation in the measured ambient temperature.

Abstract: A high speed dryer section has single-wire draw drying groups (R1, RN). A paper or board web (W) is supported by a wire (F) as it meanders over drying cylinders (20) in an upper row and reversing cylinders/rolls (21) in a lower row. A first cylinder drying group (R1) has at least five drying cylinders. In the first cylinder drying group (R1) a runnability component (30) is placed in a pocket space defined by every two successive drying cylinders (20) and the reversing roll (21) between them and by the drying wire (F) for applying a high under-pressure of 1000-8000 Pa to an area (50Y) in which the web (W) separates from the drying cylinder (20), and by which runnability component (30) a lower under-pressure of 100-500 Pa is produced in at least part of the rest of the pocket space (T).

Abstract: A tank stores a drying liquid for drying a semiconductor wafer. A boat vertically holds a plurality of target semiconductor wafers to be dried. The semiconductor wafers which are held by the boat are entirely soaked in the drying liquid. After this, the semiconductor wafers are lifted from the drying liquid at a rate in a range from 1 to 3 mm/min, so as to be dried. At this time, the surface of the drying liquid is divided with using a dividing liquid at each side of the semiconductor wafer. The dividing plate divides the surface of the drying liquid, thereby to prevent particles, which are once removed from the semiconductor wafer, from being again adhered onto the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A process for drying a polymeric material present on a substrate is provided. Temperatures of the polymeric material is measured and the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the substrate. A temperature of the substrate is also measured. A variation in the measured ambient temperature is detected. The substrate temperature, polymeric temperature, ambient temperature or a substrate drying spin speed is adjusted in response to the detected variation in the measured ambient temperature.

Abstract: A combination infrared/convection dryer or oven for drying travelling webs. A shutter assembly is provided between the infrared radiation source and the moving web in order to selectively expose the web to infrared radiation. Drying efficiency is optimized by adding heated impinged air at high velocity on the machine direction ends and between the infrared elements. The air being discharged on the web is heated as it is pulled across the elements to a centralized return air duct. The return air is pulled into the inlet of a close coupled supply fan which then discharges the air to the nozzles. A portion of the air is also exhausted to atmosphere to maintain the oven enclosure in a negative pressure state, thus drawing fresh make-up air into the oven housing through the web inlet and outlet slots. Flotation nozzles can be used where contactless support of the running web is desired. Enhanced drying of the web and/or a coating on the web at high speed is achieved without a concomitant increase in dryer length.

Abstract: A method of drying a fiber web in a paper-making machine includes the step of providing a heated dryer roll which carries the fiber web. The dryer roll has a shell consisting essentially of compacted graphite cast iron. The dryer roll is rotated such that the dryer roll has a peripheral speed which is greater than approximately 6000 feet per minute.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for improved washing and drying of semiconductor wafers utilizing an enhanced "Marangoni effect" flow of liquid off of the wafers for superior prevention of watermarks (water spots) on integrated circuits (ICs) on the wafers. The apparatus includes a housing 12 which may be hermetically sealed, an open-top wash tank 60 within a lower part of the housing, a moveable rack 16 for holding the wafers either in the tank for washing or in an upper part of the housing for drying, apparatus 34 for supplying chilled (near freezing) de-ionized water (DIW) to a lower part of the tank, the DIW flowing within the tank and overflowing the top thereof, a pump 20 for draining overflowing DIW from the housing, and apparatus 40 for supplying to the housing organic vapor such as isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in a dry gas such as nitrogen. During wafer drying operation of the apparatus the pressure within the housing is kept at about one Torr or less.

Abstract: A paper making machine comprises a press followed by an adjoining drying section having a plurality of dryer groups. Each dryer group comprises only one row of dryer cylinders and one row of suction rolls then therebetween. The press section in each of the dryer groups has a respective variable web speed drive. A speed control device controls the drive such that a positive difference in speed is always present between the first dryer group and the press and also between the second dryer group and the first dryer group. Open draws may be defined between at least some of the dryer groups.

Abstract: An unrestrained drying capability is added to an existing series of rotating drying cylinders in a cost- and space-efficient manner to enhance cross-directional (CD) stretch and tensile energy absorption (TEA) in a paper web such as for sack kraft grade paper. High-intensity air glide drying devices are adapted for use in a variety of configurations to provide different levels of unrestrained drying capacity for a pre-existing series of rotating drying rollers. The air glide drying devices carry the paper web on a cushion of air which is heated preferably to 500.degree.-850.degree. F. The sheet moisture content of the paper web during heating in the unrestrained drying section decreases by at least approximately 5%, with an evaporation rate of approximately 15-30 lbm/hr/ft.sup.2. A preferred temperature range of the paper web upon entry to the air glide drying device is 160.degree.-210.degree. F. A pre-heater such as a convection or infrared heater may optionally be employed.

Abstract: A drying section for a paper making machine includes a larger number of dryer sections, fewer dryers in each dryer section, and provisions for driving many of the dryers individually. The average number of dryers per dryer section is less than five and preferably less than four. By providing a small number of dryers per dryer section and driving many of the dryers individually, it is possible to more precisely compensate for stretching of the paper web in the initial stages of the drying process and to more precisely compensate for shrinkage of the paper web during the latter stages of the drying process.

Abstract: A chill roll assembly is disclosed having plural harmonic drives for rotationally driving corresponding plural sets of chill rolls. The harmonic drives are independently controllable to support either synchronous or asynchronous chill roll assemble operation. Synchronous mode facilitates the processing through the chill roll assembly of a single web. Asynchronous mode, on the other hand, facilitates the processing of multiple webs through the chill roll assembly.

Abstract: A method for causing adherence of a web to a drying wire so as to prevent the effects of centrifugal forces and of other air-flow phenomena, which effects attempt to separate the web from the drying wire in dryer groups having a single-wire draw and arranged in a multi-cylinder dryer of a paper machine. The dryer groups include heated drying cylinders, a drying wire for pressing the web against outer cylinder faces of the drying cylinders, and guide cylinders or rolls on which the web runs on the outside face of the drying wire. The guide cylinders have perforations which pass through the cylinder mantle and open into an inside space in the interior of the guide cylinders which is subjected to a vacuum. The vacuum in the guide cylinders is transferred to the outside face through the perforations. The guide cylinders have shafts on which the guide cylinders are mounted revolving.

Abstract: A drying system for drying textiles. The textile drying system includes an enclosed dryer having heating elements located therein, a feed system for continuously feeding textiles through the dryer, and a dehumidifier for directing conditioned air into the dryer. The textiles are dried in the dryer due to a combination of the heating elements located in the dryer and the conditioned air directed into the dryer by the dehumidifier. The dehumidifier conditions the ambient air to a selected temperature and relative humidity, and directs this air into the dryer. An exhaust port located in the dryer provides an opening for air within the dryer to exit to the atmosphere. The speed at which textiles are advanced through the dryer by the feed system is controlled by a moisture sensor which senses the moisture content of the textile goods exiting the dryer 12 and controls the speed of the feed system accordingly.

Abstract: A drying control system and method for obtaining a substantially uniformly dried low moisture content web efficiently with reduced energy usage in a papermaking process is provided. The drying rate of the web in this process is precisely controlled by detecting and monitoring the web or felt low and high cross-direction temperature profiles and then actuating drying rate modulators as required to increase or decrease the drying rate to produce a substantially flat temperature profile in response to temperature profile information provided to an automatically or manually controlled central control system by web high temperature and low temperature sensors.

Abstract: A method for drying wood strands and the like is shown and described. In a preferred embodiment, the strands are fed onto a conveyor which then moves the strands as a bed through a dryer housing. The housing may be partitioned into various zones and levels, depending on the desired configuration. A volume of drying air is heated and then passed through the bed of strands to reduce the moisture content of the strands. In a preferred embodiment, the strands are agitated to promote the even exposure of the strands to the drying heat. The strands are then conveyed through a conditioning zone before being discharged from the dryer housing.