Abstract: Device for transferring and/or introducing a fibre web, in particular a nonwoven web, into a consolidation installation, in particular one that is mechanical or hydraulic, for example a needle loom, comprising at least one transfer element comprising at least one roller (12), at least one saber (16) and an endless belt (13) extending between an upstream end and a downstream end so as to wrap around the roller at the upstream end and the saber at the downstream end, the at least one roller being arranged so as to drive the endless belt in rotation, and the at least one saber giving the downstream end of the belt the shape of a corner or lip, the at least one endless belt (13) being modular and consisting of links in the form of transverse strips that are articulated to one another, characterised in that the endless belt (13) consists of a plurality of sub-belts extending parallel to one another.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon recovery system is integrated with a fluff transfer system. The hydrocarbon recovery system is configured for contacting a wet polymer fluff with a purge gas to provide a purged polymer fluff and an overhead stream, and separating a solids stream, a recovered hydrocarbon stream, and a recovered purge gas from the overhead stream. The polymer fluff transfer system is configured to receive the purged polymer fluff from the hydrocarbon recovery system and transport the purged polymer fluff in the fluff transfer system via circulation of a fluff transfer gas. The hydrocarbon recovery system and the fluff transfer system are integrated by utilizing fluff transfer gas from the fluff transfer system as the purge gas in the hydrocarbon recovery system and/or by utilizing at least a portion of the recovered purge gas from the hydrocarbon recovery system in the fluff transfer system as the fluff transfer gas.

Abstract: A heating compartment which provides heat. The heating compartment includes a combustion chamber which generates the heat via a combustion of a fuel, and at least one measuring sensor arranged within the heating compartment and/or at the combustion chamber. The at least one measuring sensor detects a measurement variable. The at least one measuring sensor has a self-sufficient energy supply system so that the at least one measuring sensor can operate independently of an external cable-based energy supply system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for drying a biomass or organic material through one or more auger tubes that may be connected in series. Rotation of the augers drives the movement of the material longitudinally through the auger tubes. In addition, the one or more auger tubes are also heated by a hot liquid or water that may be circulated through a jacket(s) surrounding the one or more auger tubes, and a generally longitudinal flow of air or gas through the one or more auger tubes may be caused by operation of a fan or blower. The operation of a dryer apparatus of the present invention may also be monitored and controlled by a computer to optimize or improve drying conditions. Thus, one or more operational parameters of a dryer apparatus may be altered or controlled based on one or more measurements, such as temperature.

Abstract: An oven configured for drying a container. The oven includes a housing defining an interior space including a supply chamber and a return chamber. A conveyor is configured for movement within a portion of the interior space of the housing defined by a plurality of semi-circular shaped duct sections connected at each end of the semi-circular shaped duct sections to a straight duct section. Each duct section includes two side walls coupled to a back wall defining a continuous U-shaped duct path through which the conveyor moves. The oven is further configured to provide a temperature difference between any two points within the interior space of the oven housing controlled to plus or minus two degrees Fahrenheit, by a uniform air flow throughout the oven. The uniform air flow is facilitated by the sizing and spacing of various circular orifices and slotted orifices in the continuous duct path.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a unidirectional multi-path kiln with two or more chambers and generally parallel flow paths extending through the kiln, on opposite sides, from charge entry portals at a first end of the kiln to charge exit portals at a second end of the kiln. Moist heated air flowing from the second heated chamber is received in the first chamber and circulated around the lumber charges with one or more fans. The lumber charges proceed in the same direction on the flow paths through the heated second chamber, which may be an existing kiln. Charge exit portals at the distal end of the kiln and/or intermediate charge portals between the second chamber and a third chamber may be provided with insulating members configured to reduce airflow from the second chamber through the charge exit portals.

Abstract: A transport- and drying line for individual articles, a grouped plurality of articles and/or a plurality of articles transported in a row and/or side by side, the articles at least partially showing humidity and/or liquid drops on their outer surface. The articles are each standing on a link conveyor in an airflow of drying air. A support plane is at least partially permeable for the drying air flow and flow conducting surfaces are arranged at the lower surface of the support plane for the drainage of the humid drying air carrying the liquid removed from the articles to be dried. A method for transporting and drying of individual articles, a grouped plurality of articles and/or a plurality of articles transported in a row and/or side by side whereby the articles at least partially show humidity and/or liquid drops on their outer surface.

Abstract: A system includes a multi-feeder assembly. The multi-feeder assembly includes a first solids feeder, a liquid removal section, and a second solids feeder. The first solids feeder is configured to receive a solids flow from an upstream system. The liquid removal section is configured to reduce an amount of liquid in the solids flow. The second solids feeder is configured to receive the solids flow in series with the first solids feeder and output the solids flow to a downstream system.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a dryer for removing hydrocarbons and/or moisture from metal chips is provided. The dryer has a chamber including a top portion and a base portion. The top portion is comprised of a material having a higher emissivity than the material forming the base portion. A burner is provided which introduces heated gas into the top portion. A device for transporting the metal chips is provided in the base portion. The device receives the metal chips at an inlet and transporting the metal chips to an outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for handling carcasses of slaughtered animals during suspended transport after evisceration and before weighing in an abattoir by means of an air stream, in which a horizontally directed stream of conditioned air is made to flow around the carcasses at speeds of 1.5 to 6 m/s with a suction effect. Suspension conveyors are set up in a separate room in a meandering arrangement along parallel tracks transversely to the horizontally aligned extraction openings and inlet openings for air, and the inlet openings and extraction openings are connected through an air-conditioning plant, arranged outside the room, for dehumidifying and cooling the air extracted from the room.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for drying bulk goods, in particular solids, such as granular materials, powders, grains, films, shreds, or the like, preferably plastic granular material. In order to dry the exhaust air flow (5) exiting the drying silo (9), the drying silo (9), through which an air flow flows, is connected by means of a process fan (11) to a wheel drier (1) that contains a drying or adsorbing agent and that has a rotatable drum (2) having radial cells (21). The individual cells (21) of the drum (2) of the wheel drier (1) are formed by plates, wherein clamping plates (24) of a cell (21) lying against the radial outer (22) and inner (23) jackets of the drum (2) have a U-shaped cross-section and are arranged axially on the inner wall. The legs (25) of the U-shaped clamping plates (24) are tilted outwardly. Separating plates (26) are provided as partitions of the individual cells (21).

Abstract: An improvement for drying crushed cane or other bagasse for briquetting or other processes includes a drying unit (1) with a humid bagasse dosing hopper (2) having a screw conveyor feeding inclined screw conveyor (5) and a latter rotary dosing valve (6) discharging into hot air funnel (7) into drying tank (8), bagasse being lifted and exposed to the hot air in front chamber (9) and in final drying chamber (17) by tumbling blades (10) through the action of geared motor (15), almost-dry bagasse in suspension being sucked out by pair of centrifugal blowers (18) dropping it into separator filter (19) and falling into hopper (20), being cooled in open-trough screw conveyors (21) and (22), screw conveyor (22) including screen (23) for separation of powder to be conveyed by screw conveyor (25) to inclined screw conveyor (26) for discharge into feeder hoppers (28) to the burners (32).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for handling carcasses of slaughtered animals during suspended transport after evisceration and before weighing in an abattoir by means of an air stream, in which a horizontally directed stream of conditioned air is made to flow around the carcasses at speeds of 1.5 to 6 m/s with a suction effect. Suspension conveyors are set up in a separate room in a meandering arrangement along parallel tracks transversely to the horizontally aligned extraction openings and inlet openings for air, and the inlet openings and extraction openings are connected through an air-conditioning plant, arranged outside the room, for dehumidifying and cooling the air extracted from the room.

Abstract: A transport- and drying line for individual articles, a grouped plurality of articles and/or a plurality of articles transported in a row and/or side by side, the articles at least partially showing humidity and/or liquid drops on their outer surface. The articles are each standing on a link conveyor in an airflow of drying air. A support plane is at least partially permeable for the drying air flow and flow conducting surfaces are arranged at the lower surface of the support plane for the drainage of the humid drying air carrying the liquid removed from the articles to be dried. A method for transporting and drying of individual articles, a grouped plurality of articles and/or a plurality of articles transported in a row and/or side by side whereby the articles at least partially show humidity and/or liquid drops on their outer surface.

Abstract: A process and apparatus used for heating and drying a material. The process uses supplemental radiant heat supplied by circulating thermal oil that is heated using fuels, as well as exhaust heat from other sources. The supplemental heat replaces a portion of the heat provided by the direct-firing. The supplemental heating is achieved by retrofitting existing direct-fired or radiant heat gypsum dryers with thermal oil-to-air heat exchangers in the combustion air lines and the air recirculation lines. Heated thermal oil is circulated through the exchangers, providing supplemental heat to both the combustion air and the re-circulated dryer air. The existing natural gas burners are fired to achieve the desired exit temperature. A Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system is coupled to the dryer exhaust vent to recapture heat energy produced by the thermal oil and produce electricity.

Abstract: A process is provided for recovering polymer solids from a polymerisation reactor effluent. The process comprises extracting the polymerisation effluent from a polymerisation reactor; passing the effluent, or a part thereof, to a flash vessel for flashing liquid in the effluent to vapour, and removing said vapour from said flash vessel; passing the polymer solids from the flash vessel to a transfer apparatus which comprises a transfer vessel; passing the polymer solids from the transfer vessel to a purging means for removing residual liquid from the polymer solids; wherein the polymer solids are passed from the flash vessel to the purging means in a continuous flow such that a quantity of polymer solids is maintained in the transfer vessel. An apparatus for performing the process is also provided.

Abstract: A system for continuous (re-)drying of wood pieces. A conveyor arrangement receives and carries the wood pieces in file following a course. A moisture content of each wood piece travelling on the conveyor arrangement is measured during the course. The wood pieces whose measured moisture content are above a target content are diverted towards a drying equipment, in particular by high-frequency, whereas the other wood pieces continue their course on the conveyor arrangement. The drying equipment removes a moisture portion from the diverted wood pieces. The moisture contents of the processed wood pieces are again measured. The pieces whose moisture content dropped below the target content are routed towards the conveyor arrangement whereas the other pieces are routed in the drying equipment for a re-drying.

Abstract: A tunnel dryer apparatus and method is disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a drying chamber having an infeed end for receiving articles to be dried, and a conveyor for conveying the articles through the drying chamber along a drying path to a discharge end of the drying chamber. The drying path includes at least one portion having a gradient for causing the articles to be tilted to distribute accumulated liquid on surfaces of the articles thereby facilitating drying of the article. In another aspect the apparatus includes a nozzle, operably configured to direct a pulsating jet of air toward passing articles thereby causing accumulated liquid on surfaces of the articles to be dispersed to facilitate drying of the article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device (01) for dewatering and drying a mixture made of plastic granulate and water, having at least one mixture intake (02), through which the mixture is supplied to the device (01), having at least one water outlet (08), through which the precipitated water is removed from the device (01), having at least one granulate outlet (13), through which the dried granulate is removed from the device (01), the device (01) having a dewatering line (06), along which the mixture is dewatered, and the device (01) having a drying line (12), along which the dewatered granulate is dried.

Abstract: Novel magnesium hydroxide flame retardants, a method of making them from filter cakes, and their use.

Abstract: A system configured to dry containers before a date coding process includes a blower assembly, an air manifold and a bracket assembly. The blower assembly includes a centrifugal air blower. The air manifold is connected to the blower assembly and includes a plurality of air nozzles. The air nozzles are configured to be positioned over a conveyor line, wherein the air nozzles are configured to expel air moved by the centrifugal air blower. The bracket assembly is configured to adjustably mount the air manifold over the conveyor line, wherein the bracket assembly allows the air manifold to be horizontally and/or vertically adjusted with respect to the conveyor line.

Abstract: A process for the continuous drying of water-surrounded granulate transported by a screen-type belt conveyor. In a first conveying region in the form of a chute, water is withdrawn under gravity from the plastic granulate at a temperature of > than 100° C., wherein, in a following second region on a belt conveyor, any remaining water is substantially removed by air extraction through the belt conveyor, the air extraction taking place at an air speed of > than 20 m per second and with a dwell time in the second region of < than 2 seconds, there being a following third region, as an evaporation zone, with a dwell time of more than two seconds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling the temperature of objects, especially for drying or cooling objects, said device comprising a housing containing at least two tempering units which are arranged in a functionally parallel manner. Each tempering unit comprises a tunnel-type usable space in which tempered air is applied to the objects. Said objects can be displaced through the usable spaces by means of a respective transport system. According to the invention, the at least two tempering units are superimposed in the housing essentially above the same base surface.

Abstract: A dehydration tunnel for fruits, vegetables, and other products reduces the vulnerability of the products to damage from carmelization and case hardening by dividing a row of product vessels into two segments, passing heated air simultaneously over both segments but in opposite directions, and advancing the row of vessels unidirectionally through the tunnel. Each vessel is thus exposed to a stream of heated air traversing the vessel in one direction, followed by a separate stream of heated air traversing the vessel in the opposite direction. This allows the tunnel to be operated at moderate temperatures and reduces the harmful temperature cycling of each vessel that is typical of tunnel dryers of the prior art.

Abstract: A web coating process and apparatus employing a coating applicator, dryer or curing station and web-handling equipment for conveying the web past the coating applicator and through the dryer. The web is enclosed from at least the coating applicator to the dryer or curing station in a close-coupled enclosure or series of close-coupled enclosures supplied with one or more streams of conditioned gas flowing at a rate sufficient to reduce materially the particle count or change materially a physical property of interest in a close-coupled enclosure.

Abstract: A web converting process and apparatus employing a dry converting station and substrate-handling equipment for conveying the substrate through the dry converting station. The substrate is enveloped in the dry converting station by a close enclosure supplied with one or more streams of conditioned gas flowing at a rate sufficient to reduce materially the particle count in the close enclosure.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for monitoring web breaks in a machine for producing a material web includes at least one impingement dryer. The process includes guiding the material web through the at least one impingement dryer, and monitoring the material web for web breaks in at least one of a region, viewed in a web travel direction, before an intake into the at least one impingement dryer, after an exit from the at least one impingement dryer and within the at least one impingement dryer. The process further includes at least partially deactivating the at least one impingement dryer when a web break is detected.

Abstract: A method of treating drill cuttings containing a detectable amount of hydrocarbon-based drilling fluid comprises injecting a non-toxic additive to the cuttings and mixing the cuttings and additive to the point where the amount of hydrocarbon-based drilling fluid is less than 1% by weight. The method of treating cuttings includes the additional step of taking the mixture of cuttings and additive and disposing of the mixture directly to the soil, preferably in the immediate vicinity of the well site. A system is provided for carrying out the method, including structure for adding a quantity of an chemical additive to cuttings carrying a quantity of drilling fluid. The system further provides a controller to determine the cuttings load within the system, and controls to vary the quantity of treatment chemicals added to the cuttings according to the cuttings load.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum processing apparatus having vacuum processing chambers the insides of which must be dry cleaned, and to a method of operating such an apparatus. When the vacuum processing chambers are dry-cleaned, dummy substrates are transferred into the vacuum processing chamber by substrates conveyor means from dummy substrate storage means which is disposed in the air atmosphere together with storage means for storing substrates to be processed, and the inside of the vacuum processing chamber is dry-cleaned by generating a plasma. The dummy substrate is returned to the dummy substrate storage means after dry cleaning is completed. Accordingly, any specific mechanism for only the cleaning purpose is not necessary and the construction of the apparatus can be made simple.

Abstract: A furnace for heating articles is provided with a housing containing a heating structure as well as a feed and a discharge between which a track extends for moving the articles through the furnace. The heating structure comprises at least one source which emits radiation having a wavelength located in the range of light radiation, such as an infrared source, and the track for moving the articles comprises a material transparent to light radiation.

Abstract: A method for roasting legumes such as soybeans to enhance their nutritional properties. Raw legumes are introduced to a roaster having an oven section and a steeping section downstream of the oven section. The raw legumes are heated to a selected roasting temperature in the oven section as they are moved through the oven section to and through the steeping section. Throughout the passage of the legumes through the oven and steeping sections the legumes are mixed continuously.

Abstract: A process for drying flammable cellulosic materials such as wood strands t involves maintaining the temperature and humidity of the drying medium above predetermined values to obtain certain stated advantages.

Abstract: Environmental enhancement by controlling volatile organic compound (VOC) and NO.sub.x emissions in a flatline wafer drying system. The method is characterized by advancing the wafers of the type used in manufacture of oriented strand board (OSB) on a flatline conveyor embodying a plurality of dryer zones. Particularly, heating the dryer zones in successive lower temperatures in the range 500.degree. F. to 200.degree. F. by flowing heated air upwardly through the flatline wafer drying conveyor; removing VOC-rich exhaust air from a primary dryer zone while flowing heated air upwardly therein and removing VOC-rich exhaust air from a secondary dryer zone while flowing heated air from therein.

Abstract: A method and a facility for dehydrating plants, particularly for dehydrating forage. The method consists in introducing the forage to be dehydrated in a drier with a retention time and a temperature that are suitable to achieve the at least partial drying of the leaves of the forage. The forage, when it leaves the drier, is subjected to an operation for separating the leaves from the stalks, and the leaves and stalks thus separated are then subjected, separately from each other, to additional treatments that include at least one additional drying for at least one of the two components constituted by the leaves and the stalks.

Abstract: In order to dry boards, the boards are guided on racks through a drier and brought into contact with drying air in two stages. In a stage A with a higher drying power, the drying air is supplied at a higher temperature and with an at least average humidity, and in the other stage B, it is supplied at an average temperature and with a low humidity. The waste heat of the outgoing air from stage A is used for preheating the drying air. This process should reduce the consumption of primary energy. For that purpose, a process is known that consists of also using the outgoing air condensation heat. This has the inconvenience, however, of requiring substantially more secondary energy, as important air mass flows are required to transfer heat because of the low condensation temperature. Primary energy should be reduced by using condensation heat without substantially increasing secondary energy requirements.

Abstract: Flotation drying apparatus for the staged (indirect) heating of solvent laden air recirculating within a drying enclosure, and a method of optimally controlling and directing solvent laden recirculation air such that condensation and sapping of solvent and various solvent-based by-products may be effectively reduced or eliminated. In addition to the reduction of condensate, a greater and more uniform mixing of the atmosphere within the drying enclosure is achieved, thereby enhancing safety and the drying process as pockets of high concentration solvent vapors are reduced. Air from outside the dryer enclosure is heated within the dryer enclosure, and is mixed with solvent-laden air. The mixed air is recirculated to the first drying zone of the dryer.

Abstract: Drying of particulate materials, such as wood chips (wafers/strands) for the manufacture of oriented structural board, as well as bark, and the like. The method is characterized by advancing wafers in random array and superposed and without contact above a planar surface; forcing heated air upwardly through spaced apart holes defined in the stationary planar surface and through the random array of advancing wafers, while evacuating heated air and accumulated moisture above the advancing wafers. The method is distinguished by lateral shielding during forcing of heated air above the planar surface, so as to inhibit "blow-holes" among the drying wafers.

Abstract: The removal of organics and volatile metals from soils using thermal desorption comprises moving contaminated materials, positioned on a belt conveyor, through a chamber (32) under oxygen conditions, temperature conditions, and residence time effective to substantially avoid incineration of the contaminants, while volatilizing the contaminants and producing a processed material that is substantially decontaminated, where the volatilized contaminants are carried from the chamber (32) by a transport gas which is passed through a packed tower (70) where quench/scrubbing liquid flows countercurrent to gas flow, for producing a substantially cleaned gas and a contaminated liquid concentrate. The gas may be passed through a further gas cleaning system (86) prior to discharge into the atmosphere, while the liquid concentrate is passed through a water treatment system (90) for producing substantially cleaned water which may be passed through an air cooler (92) and recycled back to cool the processed material.

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.

Abstract: A system is described for producing small uniform pellets of predetermined size which are substantially free of fines from mechanically dewatered sewage sludge. The system includes a process and apparatus for mixing the dewatered sludge with previously dried, recycled particles of said sludge, drying said mixture in a thermal drier, separating a substantial portion of the dried solids from the drier off gas, clarifying said separated solids to separate the pellets of predetermined size, oversize pellets, and undersize pellets and particles, mechanically crushing the oversize pellets and admixing the crushed oversize pellets with the undersize pellets and particles, and recycling said mixture by mixing said mixture with incoming dewatered sludge to the drier.

Abstract: A system for and method of storing and automatically dispensing predetermined amounts of one or more food products from closed containers is described. The system preferably includes multi-compartment containers carried by a carrousel assembly and moved by a dispensing mechanism for automatically selecting the appropriate container and compartment for which food is dispensed. By using a control with memory for keeping inventory, the system can dispense any one of several food products on demand.

Abstract: In order to dry boards, the boards are guided on racks through a drier and brought into contact with drying air in two stages. In a stage A with a higher drying power, the drying air is supplied at a higher temperature and with an at least average humidity, and in the other stage B, it is supplied at an average temperature and with a low humidity. The waste heat of the outgoing air from stage A is used for preheating the drying air. This process should reduce the consumption of primary energy. For that purpose, a process is known that consists of also using the outgoing air condensation heat. This has the inconvenience, however, of requiring substantially more secondary energy, as important air mass flows are required to transfer heat because of the low condensation temperature. Primary energy should be reduced by using condensation heat without substantially increasing secondary energy requirements.