Abstract: The present invention provides: a method for drying compacts containing water so as not to cause explosion and powdering; a method for reducing the compacts after being dried with great efficiency in a rotary-hearth-type reducing furnace; and a rotary-hearth-type metal reducing furnace. In the present invention, when compacts comprising powder containing metal oxide and carbon are dried, the critical value of a water evaporation rate, beyond which explosion occurs, is determined from the size and porosity of the compacts, then the water evaporation rate is controlled to a value not exceeding the critical value and, by so doing, the increase in the internal pressure of the compacts caused by the generation of water vapor is prevented. By the method, the explosion and cracking of the compacts are prevented.

Abstract: A control system for a clothes dryer including a temperature sensor and a thermostat for regulating at least one dryer heating element is provided. The control system includes a microcomputer programmed to compensate for a conflict between the thermostat temperature regulation and the temperature sensor temperature regulation during dryer operation at a selected operating temperature.

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 process and an apparatus for removing water from a material are disclosed. The material can be selected from the group consisting of fibrous webs, textiles, plastics, non-woven webs, building materials, or any combination thereof, and may comprise an agricultural product, a food product, a pharmaceutical product, a biotechnology product, etc. The process comprises providing a material; providing an oscillatory flow-reversing impingement gaseous media having predetermined frequency; providing a gas-distributing system designed to emit the oscillatory flow-reversing impingement gas onto the material; and impinging the oscillatory flow-reversing gas onto the material, thereby removing moisture from the material.

Abstract: A cabinet for clothes drying and dewrinkling which comprises a main enclosure that defines an inner area for housing clothes, a fan for supplying air to the inner area, a steam generator for supplying steam to the inner area, a controller for regulating the air supply and steam supply, and at least one airing duct. The airing duct can be opened and closed by the controller.

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 process and an apparatus for removing water from a fibrous web are disclosed. The process comprises providing a fibrous web having a moisture content from about 10% to about 90%; providing an oscillatory flow-reversing impingement gas having frequency of from 15 Hz to 1500 Hz; providing a gas-distributing system comprising a plurality of discharge outlets designed to emit the oscillatory flow-reversing impingement gas onto the web; and impinging the oscillatory flow-reversing gas onto the web through the plurality of discharge outlets, thereby removing moisture from the web. The apparatus comprises a web support designed to receive a fibrous web thereon and to carry it in a machine direction; at least one pulse generator designed to produce oscillatory flow-reversing air or gas; and at least one gas-distributing system in fluid communication with the pulse generator for delivering the oscillatory flow-reversing air or gas to the web.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying small lots of product, for example ear corn. The method includes simultaneously directing air flow through the product while weighing the product from time to time to derive moisture content to the product. Air temperature and flow can be adjusted to desired levels for controlling the drying process. The apparatus includes an air permeable product bin and a docking station for receiving the bin. A scale is associated with the docking station to obtain weight measurements during the drying process. An air plenum supplies controlled air flow to the docking station. The structure allows monitoring of moisture content during drying and control of air flow. The temperature can also be controlled through control of an air gate from a main hot and cold air plenum.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus for controlling the rate of heat transfer from as-cast railroad wheels after their removal from the mold utilizing a plurality of vertically adjustable caps with a cap positioned over each wheel to control the rate of heat transfer therefrom as it is transported to a successive operation, each cap having a generally symmetrical shape to inhibit or reduce deflection of radiant energy from the wheel, and the disclosure also provides a method for controlling the rate of heat transfer including a control system to provide the requisite displacement of each cap from the associated wheel to control cooling of the wheel prior to its subsequent operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the heat input of a dryer where the initial heat input to a clothes load is set at full power until a first predetermined temperature or time condition occurs. The heat input of the dryer is then reduced to in order to reduce power consumption while effectively removing moisture from the clothes load. When the moisture content of the clothes load falls below a predetermined amount, full heat input is once again applied to remove remaining moisture in the clothes load.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for removing water from a fibrous web are disclosed. The process comprises providing a fibrous web having a moisture content from about 10% to about 90%; providing an oscillatory flow-reversing impingement gas having frequency of from 15 Hz to 1500 Hz; providing a gas-distributing system comprising a plurality of discharge outlets designed to emit the oscillatory flow-reversing impingement gas onto the web; and impinging the oscillatory flow-reversing gas onto the web through the plurality of discharge outlets, thereby removing moisture from the web. The apparatus comprises a web support designed to receive a fibrous web thereon and to carry it in a machine direction; at least one pulse generator designed to produce oscillatory flow-reversing air or gas; and at least one gas-distributing system in fluid communication with the pulse generator for delivering the oscillatory flow-reversing air or gas to the web.

Abstract: A pressure and flow rate of a gas flowing into or out of a processing chamber are controlled, so as to decrease or increase an atmosphere in the processing chamber higher or lower than a target pressure to obtain a target pressure. During a first period, an opening speed of an opening degree adjusting device provided in an inlet pipe communicating to the processing chamber is controlled to a first target value toward a first predetermined functional approximation line (for example a function of second degree) as ideal value. During the rest of periods other than the first period, the opening speed is controlled stepwise to two or more predetermined target values so that the processing chamber reaches the target pressure. During a period before the first period, the opening speed may be controlled to a second target value among the two or more target values, based on a control amount for the opening degree adjusting device.

Abstract: A clothes dryer temperature control system or circuit is provided with a thermally biased thermostat adjacent to the air outlet of the drying drum. Further, a thermally biased control thermostat is provided adjacent the air inlet of the dryer drum. The two thermostats are controlled through a multiple contact switch controller which allows the dryer to operate in a high heat, medium heat, low heat, and damp dry heating cycles. Additionally, in a gas dryer embodiment a trimmer thermostat is located in circuit with the thermally biased resistor of the thermally biased air inlet thermostat so as to decrease the response time of this thermostat on its first cycle to prevent damage to clothing during initial operation of a gas dryer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a control of drying period of time of a laundry dryer which is provided to use the microwave generated from a magnetron and the heat generated from a heater efficiently, and allows to dry every nook and corner of laundry within a short period of time by utilizing that the dielectric loss coefficient of water compared with that of textile is greater only using the microwave of the magnetron in the initial stage of drying operation, and allows to prevent damages to clothes as well as a uniform drying by carrying out drying operation altering the heat source from the microwave to heater and vice versa permitting to dry uniformly due to the steam of the textile flowing smoothly on progression of the drying operation, and improvement of dryness by using only the heat of the heater again within the drying finish section.

Abstract: A control system for a clothes dryer is disclosed. A microprocessor monitors the heated inlet air temperature and the exhaust temperature. If the inlet temperature exceeds a high limit value a given number of times, an air blockage indicator is activated. Degrees of dryness are measured by the number of times the inlet temperature has dropped below a threshold value while the heater is off because the exhaust temperature has exceeded a desired value. An estimated drying time is calculated and displayed to the user based on a linear function of the inlet and exhaust temperatures measured at the beginning of the cycle and again a short time later.

Abstract: This invention relates to a clothes dryer which can successfully cope with operation when the air circulation path is partially blocked. The dryer is of a type having dual heating elements and during conditions where blocking exists, the heat generation is reduced by disconnecting one of the heating elements while air is circulated thru the dryer.

Abstract: An automated yarn conditioning apparatus and process is provided. This apparatus and process allows for unconditioned yarn packages to be brought from a source to a yarn conditioning station where they are conditioned and then ejected onto a takeaway conveyor. Yarn conditioning is achieved within an airtight chamber inside of a vessel. The yarn conditioning process used first evacuates the airtight chamber and then injects steam or other conditioning vapor into the airtight chamber while partially elevating the internal chamber pressure and/or temperature. Simultaneously with the conditioning of the yarn packages inside the airtight chamber, unconditioned yarn packages are brought to the conditioning station for placement inside the vessel when the prior conditioning step has been completed.