Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a roasting apparatus and a method of controlling the roasting apparatus, and more particularly, to a roasting apparatus for roasting objects while stirring the objects in a roasting chamber, and a method of controlling the roasting apparatus. An roasting apparatus for heating objects according to the present disclosure includes a roasting chamber part which includes: a cylindrical roasting chamber that extends in a vertical direction and has an internal space in which the objects are stirred; and a rotary stirring part that rotates to stir the objects received in the roasting chamber and rotates about a stirring axis defined in the vertical direction. The roasting apparatus further includes heat source parts which supply heat to the roasting chamber part.

Abstract: Susceptor assemblies comprising a susceptor with a support post are described. The susceptor has a body with a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface has a plurality of recesses therein. The support post is connected to the bottom surface of the susceptor to rotate the susceptor assembly. The support post includes support post vacuum plenum in fluid communication with a susceptor vacuum plenum in the body of the susceptor. The support post also includes a purge gas line extending through the support post to a purge gas plenum in the body of the susceptor.

Abstract: The inventions relates to a method for processing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) comprising supplying PET raw material (S1), drying the PET raw material (S4) to a target moisture level, plasticizing the PET (S5), and injecting the plasticized PET (S6) into a mold. In this method, the target moisture level is between 60 ppm and 250 ppm to generate hydrolysis of PET during plasticization (S5) resulting in a controlled drop of intrinsic viscosity of the PET. According to other aspects of the invention, there is provided a method for forming a bottle and a method for packaging still beverage in this bottle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a dryer unit of a printer. In one embodiment, a dryer unit includes a light source having a plurality of lamps. The dryer unit further includes a controller that associates a target output power with each of the lamps of the light source. When in operation, the controller determines a speed of a printable medium that passes through the dryer unit. The controller is able to vary an intensity of light generated by the light source based on the speed of the printable medium by varying which of the lamps of the light source are energized to their target output power.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining a fluffing state of laundry based on a determined temperature indicative of the surface of the laundry.

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: A laundry treating appliance having a rotatable drum defining a laundry treating chamber, where the laundry in the laundry treating chamber may be imaged and a motion condition of the laundry determined based on the imaging of the laundry. The operation of the laundry treating appliance may be based on the determined motion condition.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a conveyor speed control system for a dryer is provided. The system includes a dryer having a housing with an entrance and an exit, and a conveyor within the housing, the conveyor capable of moving at a desired speed. A sensor senses the temperature of the interior of the dryer housing. A controller is provided. The controller receives a signal from the temperature sensor. The controller also controls the speed of the conveyor, and limits the speed of the conveyor to a desired speed until a desired dryer housing temperature is attained.

Abstract: A curing oven includes a set of pivoting, rotating trays within a curing chamber. The trays are attached to a mechanism that rotates the trays through a curing cycle, and the speed and timing of the rotation may be set by an operator, as desired. In a preferred embodiment, the oven includes a plurality of heating elements, a commercial dehumidifier, a recirculating fan and system, temperature and humidity sensors, and a series of pivoting trays attached to a motorized rotational assembly. The oven is controlled by a various controllers, which may be programmed to set the temperature, humidity levels, rotation speed and cycle time, and other aspects of oven operation. A loading and unloading chamber is effectively sealed off from the curing chamber within the oven, preventing or reducing a transfer of air between the curing chamber and the ambient air outside of the oven.

Abstract: The moisture measuring method and apparatus determines the moisture content of post-harvest in-shell peanuts. A crystal oscillator generates a high frequency signal that is directed through a selected sample of in-shell peanuts. Capacitance, impedance, and phase change data associated with the sample are generated at (at least) two frequencies. The data is then substituted into a semi-empirical equation to determine the moisture content of the in-shell peanuts.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a rotatable drum defining a laundry treating chamber, where the laundry in the laundry treating chamber may be imaged and a motion condition of the laundry determined based on the imaging of the laundry. The operation of the laundry treating appliance may be based on the determined motion condition.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance and method for controlling the operation of a laundry treating appliance comprising a treating chamber by determining the presence of a bulky laundry item based on image data of the laundry.

Abstract: A drying apparatus (10) for silicon-based electronic circuits (30), in particular photovoltaic cells, comprises a drying oven (20) having a drying chamber (46) provided with an entrance aperture (19), through which the silicon-based electronic circuits (30) are introduced therein so as to be subjected to at least a drying cycle, and with an exit aperture (21), through which the silicon-based electronic circuits (30) are removed and in which drying chamber (46) a drying means (50) is disposed, in order to dry the silicon-based electronic circuits (30); and movement means (14) in order to move the silicon-based electronic circuits (30) inside the drying chamber (46) in a direction of advance (X), between the entrance aperture (19) and the exit aperture (21).

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a rotatable drum defining a laundry treating chamber, where the laundry in the laundry treating chamber may be imaged and a motion condition of the laundry determined based on the imaging of the laundry. The operation of the laundry treating appliance may be based on the determined motion condition.

Abstract: A hood-shaped foil covering an object is heat-shrunk around the object by displacing the object covered by the foil along a generally straight path in a transport direction past a stationary heater which is directed at an acute angle to the direction. The position of the object relative to the heater as it passes the heater in the direction is detected and heat is projected from the heater at the acute angle to the direction at the object as it passes at a rate varied in accordance with the detected position of the object relative to the heater.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rinsing and spin-drying a hydrophobic material such as a hydrophobic semiconductor wafer improves wafer drying while at the same time reduces the formation of residual contaminants on the dried surface of the wafer. This is accomplished by first establishing a safe-zone between a minimum rotational speed above which drying proceeds satisfactorily and a maximum rotational speed above which contaminants dry on the wafer's surface. A spin-rate profile can then be adopted such that the rinse/dry process proceeds within the safe zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the surface temperatures of substrates arranged on substrate supports borne by a substrate support carrier on dynamic gas cushions in a processing chamber of a CVD-reactor. The aim of the invention is to reduce or adjust the temperature variations. According to the invention, an average surface temperature value is calculated, being measured in a particularly optical manner, and the level of the gas cushions is regulated by varying the individually controlled gas flow producing the gas cushions in such a way that the variations of the measured surface temperatures in relation to the average value lies within a predetermined temperature window.

Abstract: Liquid is removed from batches of substrates by apparatus and methods for drying substrates that have been wet in an elongated liquid bath. The substrates are moved relative to the bath and an elongated gas-filled volume at rates of movement selected according to the location of the batches of substrates in the bath or the volume. As an example, the substrates and the bath are separated at a controlled rate to form a thin layer of liquid on each substrate as each substrate enters the gas-filled volume. The gas-filled volume is defined by an elongated hot chamber and hot gas directed into the volume and across the substrates and out of the volume continuously transfers thermal energy to the substrates . The flow rate of the gas into the volume is related to introduction of the substrates into the bath to avoid disturbing the liquid in the bath.

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: An apparatus for the drying of particulate material in superheated steam in a closed vessel (1) has a number of upwardly open, elongated and substantially vertical processing cells (2) which are placed around a central part with a heat exchanger (3). The last of these processing cells (2) has a closed bottom and is the discharge cell (4), while the remainder (2) have bottoms (5) through which steam can permeate. The processing cells (2), which lie at the side of one another, stand in mutual connection through openings (11) at the lowermost ends of the cells, so that the particulate material which is dried by the superheated steam which is blown up from the heat exchanger (3) through the steam-permeable bottoms (5) can pass from one processing cell (2) to the next through the openings (11). The discharge cell (4) and/or the last of the processing cells (2) are provided with one or more substantially vertical plates for restraining and/or controlling the flow of particulate material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of drying a fiber web and an arrangement in a fiber web drying apparatus, the fiber web being dried between two tight bands that move in parallel in the same direction and turn around turning rolls. The first band is heated and the second band is cooled. The fiber web is guided through a drying zone, defined by the bands, with at least one felt or wire, so that the fiber web comes into contact with the surface of the first, heated band and the felt or wire is between the fiber web and the second, cooled band. The position of the edge of the band is measured by means of a sliding block which is brought into contact with the edge of the band, the material of the sliding block being substantially harder than that of the band.

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: Apparatus for the drying of particulate material in superheated steam in a closed vessel (1). The vessel consists of a number of upwardly open, elongated and substantially vertical processing cells (2) which are placed around a central part with a heat exchanger (3). The last of these processing cells (2) has a closed bottom and is the discharge cell (4), while the remainder (2) have bottoms (5) through which steam can permeate. The processing cells (2), which lie at the side of one another, stand in mutual connection through openings (11) at the lowermost ends of the cells, so that the particulate material which is dried by the superheated steam which is blown up from the heat exchanger (3) through the steam-permeable bottoms (5) can pass from one processing cell (2) to the next through said openings (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to a spin extractor for extracting liquid from wet laundry by rotating a drum with the laundry contained therein at high speed about a horizontal axis. In an inventive spin extractor, while an operation controller controls the speed of the drum so that the laundry is slightly pressed on the inner peripheral wall of the drum by centrifugal force and rotates with the drum, a position detector detects the position of an eccentric load due to the laundry as a first position. Then, the speed of the drum is raised to a second speed for weak extraction, which is lower than a predetermined maximum speed for extraction, and the position detector detects the position of the eccentric load as a second position. A quality determiner checks the displacement of the second position from the first position to determine the uniformity in extraction quality of the articles, where the extraction quality of an article represents how easily liquid is extracted therefrom.

Abstract: An automatic system for drying high moisture content material from a source. The system includes a dryer enclosing a bed inclined upwards from the bottom portion thereof to the top portion thereof, and a slat and picker drive motor for urging material downward from the top portion to the bottom portion of the bed. A first material feed system transports the high moisture content material from the source to the top portion of the bed, and includes a surge bin disposed between the source and the dryer for assuring a constant supply of material to the dryer for constant operation thereof. There are sensors for detecting the amount of material delivered to the surge bin; and a controller, responsive to the sensors, which adjusts the rate of material transferred from the surge bin to the dryer and the rate material is processed through the dryer.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the drying or kilning of malt in a substantially continuous operation. The malt is transported through one or more separate drying zones by means of fluid bed dryer units at which time tempered or conditioned air at a predetermined temperature and moisture content is passed through the malt to effect a drying of the malt. The rate of malt movement through the drying zones is varied according to the moisture content of the malt at predetermined points in its travel whereby to acheive a desired drying rate and moisture content in the malt as it travels through the various drying zones. Sulfur dioxide gas is selectively infused with the air in the drying zones to minimize carcinogens within the malt. Optional treatments are provided for the malt as it passes through the drying zones, including subjecting the malt to a vacuum to facilitate moisture removal and to effect a sanitizing of the malt.

Abstract: A control system (80-1, 80-2) is provided for a grain dryer (10) having a path (22, 24) along which grain is conveyed from an entry opening (28) between first (12, 14) and second (18, 20) walls provided with second openings through which drying air can flow. A source (16) on the side of the first wall opposite the grain provides a flow of air through the first wall, through the grain and through the second wall to dry the grain. The grain dryer (10) further comprises metering rolls (30, 32) between the walls (12, 18, 14, 20) adjacent the end opposite the entry opening (28) to control the movement of the grain along the path (22, 24). The control system includes a first moisture probe (80-1) positioned remote from the metering rolls (30, 32), a second moisture probe (80-2) positioned adjacent the metering rolls (30, 32), and a microcomputer (150).

Abstract: A drier for the continuous drying and conditioning treatment of hides and fabric products has a drying chamber having first and second areas, a loading unit for conveying product to the first area, a conveyor for transporting product from the first area to the second area and an unloading belt for conveying material out of the second area. The drier has a first heater and humidity control for heating and circulating air in the first area and a second heater and humidity control for heating and dehumidifying air circulated in the second area. The second heating and humidifying control includes a heat pump which has a compressor and a refrigeration circuit and a heating and condensing battery. Water saturated air is circulated through the condensing battery in heat exchange relation with the refrigeration circuit for removing water saturated air from the second area and delivering the air to the heating battery which reheats the air for circulation back into the second area.

Abstract: A method of converting industrial, domestic or other sludge, into a pelletized or granular fertilizer, as well as a sludge converter for practicing the method. The sludge is dewatered to form sludge cake solids which are dried in a dryer, and then sorted with a sorter into a sorted product comprising oversized, undersized, and standard sized product. A portion of the sorted product is recycled for mixing and sizing in a mixer with the dewatered sludge cake solids. To control dust and odors, cyclones and a condenser remove a substantial portion of the gaseous particulate matter and condensable gases from the converter, and any remaining noncondensates are burned in the heat source flame. A waste oil burning heat source supplies heat energy to the dryer.

Abstract: A grain roaster/cooler includes a fuel saving preheater and a roasting drum that rotates within a stationary housing. Heat radiated from the drum is captured in the form of hot air trapped in an air gap between the drum and the housing. A fan draws from this hot air supply and discharges through the incoming grain being supplied to the roaster. The incoming grain is thus preheated as it recovers heat that would have otherwise been lost.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the angular velocity and slope angle of a hot mix asphalt drum as a function of the temperature gradient across the drum outlet. Uneven gas outlet temperature indicates that the veil of RAP (Recycled Asphalt Pavement) in the drum is insufficient. The veil is increased by increasing drum speed. The complete recycled asphalt pavement hot mix asphalt plant uses uneven gas outlet temperatures to change drum operating parameters.