Abstract: An apparatus for drying granular resin material in a hopper including a first sub-system, including a membrane and a heater receiving drying gas from the membrane to be heated, the first sub-system supplying dried heated gas to a first portion of the hopper; and a second sub-system, including a mixing device and a heater for receiving drying gas from the mixing device to be heated, the mixing device inducing withdrawal of gas from the hopper and mixing the withdrawn gas with gas supplied from the first subsystem, the mixed gases being heated and supplied to a second portion of the hopper, the improvement comprising a gas separation membrane for separating inert gases from air supplied to the apparatus and providing the separated inert gas in the first subsystem; a heater for heating air supplied to the apparatus; and a thermostat for controlling the heater and thereby maintaining the supplied air at a selected temperature.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for the production of cheese. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for making pasta filata cheese. In one embodiment, a continuous cooker stretcher is used for the production of pasta filata cheese.

Abstract: A vibratory dryer includes a conveying surface over which a bed of materials to be dried is conveyed, the surface having an inlet end and an outlet end, and passages through which air passes through the conveying surface to pass through the bed of materials on the conveying surface, a source of heated air coupled to the passages to supply heated air to the bed through the passages, and a vibration generator coupled to the conveying surface. The dryer also includes at least one rotary mixer having an impeller spaced from the conveying surface at a distance so as to be disposed within the bed, the at least one rotary mixer disposed along the length of the conveying surface between the inlet end and the outlet end. The at least one rotary mixer is adapted to provide uplift within the bed without de-densification of the bed.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a fuel gasification system includes optimizing a conversion of solid components in the fuel to gaseous fuel components, controlling the flux of solids entrained in the product gas through equipment downstream of the gasifier, and maximizing the overall efficiencies of processes utilizing gasification. A combination of models, when utilized together, can be integrated with existing plant control systems and operating procedures and employed to develop new control systems and operating procedures. Such an approach is further applicable to gasification systems that utilize both dry feed and slurry feed.

Abstract: A device for thermally treating a pourable plant product includes a receiving device configured to receive the pourable plant product and a gas supply channel configured to supply a heated gas to the receiving device. The gas supply channel is divided directly upstream of the receiving device, in a gas flow direction, into a first gas supply sub-channel and a second gas supply sub-channel which follow each other in a direction of gravity, and which are configured to supply the heated gas to the receiving device. A cross section of at least the first gas supply sub-channel is configured to be closed or reduced before the receiving device independently of the second gas supply sub-section so as to eliminate or reduce a volume of the heated gas to the receiving device via the first gas supply sub-channel.

Abstract: A granulation device comprises a wet granulation unit (2), comprising a chamber (4), for mixing a powder product with appropriate binding agents, and a dry granulation unit (3), comprising a chamber (26), for mixing a product exiting from the wet granulation unit (2); the dry granulation unit (3) being operatively connected with the wet granulation unit (2).

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to systems that are used for reclaiming components of wellbore cuttings material. In one illustrative embodiment, a system is disclosed that includes, among other things, a dryer that is adapted to receive a drill cuttings mixture that includes drilling fluid and cuttings material, the dryer being further adapted to treat the drill cuttings mixture by drying the cuttings material below a preselected moisture content level. The system also includes a moisture sensor that is adapted to sense a moisture content of the cuttings material after it is dried by the dryer, and a cuttings reinjection system that is adapted to reinject the dried cuttings material into a well bore. Additionally, the system includes a conveyor system that is adapted to convey the dried cuttings material to the cuttings reinjection system, wherein the conveyor system includes, among other things, a positive pressure pneumatic conveying apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pan roasting a mass of green coffee beans at rest by heat conduction from the pan bottom to the beans mass. A glass cover and smoke filter closes the roasting chamber. A radial blower operates at slow speed to draw ambient air and vacate smoke from the chamber to permit visual monitoring of roasting beans. Periodically, the fan can operate a high speed for a short time to mix or swirl the bean mass without substantial cooling them. The blower can sequence through high and low speed cycles until roasting completes and heating ceases. A high speed cool down phase removes remaining chaff, smoke, and quick cools the beans to preserve freshness. Electric power drives the blower and resistant heating element. The system enables the operator to use appearance, sound, smell, and time to determine roasting completeness.

Abstract: An air-lift dryer for processing a high-lactose aqueous fluid (HLAF), such as permeate from ultrafiltration of whey fluid, is provided. The air-lift dryer has an enclosed drying chamber with diverging interior sidewalls that define an intermediate interior space having a cross-sectional area that increases as the diverging interior sidewalls extend away from a lower portion toward an upper portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying and conveying a material includes a vibratory fluid bed dryer having a perforated drying deck on which material is deposited, said fluid bed dryer including a vibratory drive system capable of imparting a variable angle vibratory force to the deck. A flash dryer is also provided, having a fan and heater for supplying hot air through the fluid bed dryer deck and a cyclone for collecting finished, dried material particles.

Abstract: A granulation device comprises a wet granulation unit (2), comprising a chamber (4), for mixing a powder product with appropriate binding agents, and a dry granulation unit (3), comprising a chamber (26), for mixing a product exiting from the wet granulation unit (2); the dry granulation unit (3) being operatively connected with the wet granulation unit (2).

Abstract: This invention relates to an appliance (1) for the removal of fluids and/or solids from a mixture of particulate materials with a container (2) that constitutes a ring-shaped processing space (20) with a cylindrical outer contour with devices for the charging and discharging of the particulate material into and out of the processing space (20) and with a fan device (5) for supplying a fluidization agent from underneath into the processing space (20) as well as devices (6) for the processing of the fluidization agent in the flow direction in front of the fan device, whereby in the processing space (20), cells (15, 16, 17) are formed extending in the vertical direction where one cell constitutes a discharge cell (17) through which there is no fluidization agent flow from underneath where at the lower end of the discharge cell the discharge device is arranged and where another cell (15) is provided with a charge device and where the cells (15, 16, 17) are open at their upper ends in order to facilitate transport

Abstract: In a method of drying particles of bulk material for subsequent transfer to an analyzer for determining a grain size of the particles, a free-flowing particle stream of particles to be dried is formed to move in a transport direction through a drying zone. As it moves through the drying zone, the particle stream is exposed to an air flow which is generated by a fan and heated by an air heater.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluidizing base comprising a flat sheet (1) with holes (2) produced using a laser or electron beam. A sheet of this type has good fluidizing properties and also good cleanability. The invention also provides a method for producing a fluidizing base of this type and a fluidizing device comprising a fluidizing base of this type.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and an appliance for drying byproducts from the processing of starch-containing and sugar-containing raw materials, in particular, after their fermentation and distillation, where the byproduct is fractionated in a purification phase with a high liquid proportion and a thick phase, whereby the thick phase is shaped into particles in a conditioning procedure and whereby these particles are dried in a fluidized-bed drying system with a relative gap volume, in the fluidized-bed layer, between 0.5 and 0.92.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and an appliance for drying byproducts from the processing of starch-containing and sugar-containing raw materials, in particular, after their fermentation and distillation, where the byproduct is fractionated in a purification phase with a high liquid proportion and a thick phase, whereby the thick phase is shaped into particles in a conditioning procedure and whereby these particles are dried in a fluidized-bed drying system with a relative gap volume, in the fluidized-bed layer, between 0.5 and 0.92.

Abstract: A continuous granulating and drying apparatus comprises a granulator and a fluid bed dryer. The fluid bed dryer comprises at least two separate processing compartments forming part of a common vessel being provided with radially extending partition walls separating the processing compartments from each other. Each processing compartment has a product inlet and a product outlet. The fluid bed dryer comprises a granulated product supply conduit arranged rotatably to selectively communicate with the product inlet of each separate processing compartment, respectively, and a product discharge conduit arranged rotatably to selectively communicate with the product outlet of each separate processing compartment, respectively. The granulator and the fluid bed dryer are closely coupled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying and reducing the particle size of malleable material. Preferred embodiments of the invention include a drying apparatus for use with a malleable material, comprising a blower, an airlock feeder, a main line which contains an accelerator, a conditioning chamber, and a dehydration chamber, a polishing line which contains an accelerator, a conditioning chamber, and a dehydration chamber, and a squid line blower for providing pressurized heated air to the apparatus. An alternative preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a method of drying and size reducing malleable material.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein to reduce and/or eliminate agglomerations and deformations of pellets comprised of crystallizable thermoplastic polymer material during a crystallization or crystallization of the pellets.

Abstract: A device for drying sludge originating in a waste water treatment plant is enclosed in a greenhouse having a floor for receiving a bed of sludge to be dried. The greenhouse employs solar energy. A spreader located in the greenhouse ensures the the sludge is spread over the floor and turned as it progresses along the drying device. Fans are positioned over the spreader to provide for the renewal of air present in said greenhouse. A controller controls start up and shut down of a drying cycle as well as automatic control of all motorized components in response to measurement of the temperature of the surface of the bed of sludge. The controller also takes into account the difference in temperature between the surface of the bed of sludge to be dried and the atmosphere present in the drying plant, equipment in the greenhouse only being started up when this temperature difference reaches a predetermined set point.

Abstract: A transportable portable tank for storing, transporting and drying a hygroscopic material and a transportable portable tank assembly. The portable tank comprises an upper, a middle and a lower region. The upper region comprises a materials inlet, a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The middle region comprises a gas disperser. The lower region comprises a materials discharge outlet. The portable tank has a capability to effectively remove and/or exclude moisture and a capability to effectively break up agglomerates of caked hygroscopic material, such as iodine. The present invention further provides a process for drying a hygroscopic material such as iodine within a portable tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotating fluidized bed apparatus for powder particle. A gas circulation path is formed at the periphery of the treatment chamber 2 via the circumferential faceplate 202, 212, and the circumferential faceplate is adapted to rotate around an axis. Behavior of powder particles can be controlled by introducing gas from the periphery of the treatment chamber via the circumferential plate 212 to exert centripetal force on the powder particle, while exerting centrifugal force on the powder particles accompanying rotation of the circumferential plate 212.

Abstract: An enhanced apparatus and method for cleaning, drying, and disinfecting brine shrimp eggs is provided. The apparatus may have a blower and a furnace that provide pressurized, dry air to a screening device. The screening device may include a vibrating screen designed to release detritus while retaining viable cysts. The dry air may convey the cysts upward and suspend them within a containment vessel. The containment vessel may have a lower, narrow section and an upper, wide section; the larger airflow velocity within the narrow section suspends the brine shrimp eggs while the remaining detritus moves upward, into the wide section, in which the airflow velocity is lower. The air suspension rapidly dries the cysts to maintain a high percentage of viable eggs. Ultraviolet lights disinfect the cysts within the narrow section. An extractor with a cyclone separator draws material from the wide section and removes viable eggs from the detritus.

Abstract: The operation of dewatering and drying devices which consist of a dewatering centrifuge and a concentrically arranged spray drier may be disturbed by leaks between the drier housing and the centrifuge or by deposits and encrustation of solid particles inside the drier. In order to avoid these disturbances, the rotating outer surface of the centrifuge (1) is sealed with respect to the fixed front walls (13, 14) of the drier housing (11) by a sealing system in two or more stages which consists of rotary seals (160) and elastic or sliding sealing elements (180, 260, 300, 340). The rotating outer surface of the centrifuge (1) is provided, with turbulence-generating means (32, 33, 40, 42, 46), preferably torus-shaped turbulence-generating rollers, arranged inside the drier housing (11).

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: An apparatus is disclosed for drying materials wet with one or more solvents, particularly hygroscopic materials and materials wet with a high boiling point (low vapor pressure) solvent that are sensitive to heat. Wet material is loaded into a chamber, which is then sealed and caused to oscillate back and forth. Vacuum is enlisted to provide rapid evaporation of solvent at a lower temperature than possible at standard atmospheric pressure. The material is oscillated until a sudden decrease in the residual pressure of the chamber, which indicates completion of the drying cycle. Because vacuum is applied to an oscillating chamber, a rotary vacuum seal is not required to accomplish drying in accordance with the practice of the instant invention.

Abstract: A roasting apparatus for roasting nuts, cocoa beans, coffee beans, and other small food stuffs comprising a base, a motor and afterburner assembly attached to the top of the base on one side thereof, a roasting assembly attached to the top of the base on the other side thereof, and a top cover assembly removably attached to the tops of the motor and afterburner assembly, and the roasting assembly.

Abstract: Non-contacting conveyance equipment has a concave opening, and end piece and a fluid passageway. The concave opening has a continuous walled inner peripheral surface. The end face opposes the object to be conveyed and is formed in the concave opening. The fluid passageway has a spout facing the inside of the concave opening, to supply fluid to the inner peripheral surface of the concave opening so as to cause a swirl of fluid within the concave opening. A plurality of spouts face may be provided to face the inside of the concave opening such that the plurality of spouts together cause the swirl of fluid within the concave opening. A plurality of concave openings may be provided on a base, each concave opening having an end face formed therein and a fluid passageway comprising a spout facing the inside thereof.

Abstract: A process and a device for continuously drying protein-containing sludge, in particular sewage sludge, in a fluidised bed (20) inside a drying container (13). A drying gas flows through the fluidised bed (20) while partially de-watered sludge (6) in granulate form (21) is added to the fluidised bed (20) while dried sludge (10) is withdrawn therefrom. The granules (21) are formed without admixture of dried substances and are granulated preferably at the same time as they are pressed. Sewage sludge may thus be dried without admixture or recycling of dried substances, so that a highly efficient plant is obtained. In addition, a granulated dry material is produced which may be used in various ways.

Abstract: A dual chambered bubbler vessel for use with solid organometallic source material for chemical vapor phase deposition systems, and a method for transporting a carrier gas saturated with source material for delivery into such systems. The bubbler vessel is designed so that carrier gas enters through an inlet in the top thereof into an inlet chamber and after it has been saturated with the organometallic vapors exits through a first porous frit located in the floor of the inlet chamber into an outlet chamber and is withdrawn from the bubbler after passing through a second porous frit element located at the outlet of the bubbler.

Abstract: The invention is a distributed airways airflow dryer system for coffee beans and other such bulk crops. The interior volume or container of the dryer or dehydrator system that holds the bulk crops, is filled with an airways network structure that provides uniformly distributed open wall airflow passageways in the bulk crops. The airflow passages communicate with airflow openings in the walls or bottom of the container, to divide and admit the drying airflow into and through the full volume of the bulk crops as a large number of individual airstreams. Corrugated, ribbed, or cross-ribbed airflow plates are preferred embodiments that provide narrow open grooves or channels that expose the beans or kernels of the bulk crop directly to the airflow. This results in faster drying and greater uniformity of the drying effect on the full volume of the bulk crops.

Abstract: A method and device for heating and/or drying flowable loose material, especially granular polymeric material, that is to be conveyed to a processing machine, such as an injection molding machine, are provided. A hot air stream that has been heated up with a heating unit is caused to flow through loose material flowing in a chamber transverse to the direction of flow of the loose material in the chamber.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the hot air roasting of coffee beans is provided and includes structure for inhibiting contaminants from entering the hot air stream used in the roasting of coffee beans, structure for obtaining a uniform roast of the coffee beans, unitary structure for mounting a handle to a roasting chamber and removably and releasably mounting a cover to the roasting chamber, structure for initiating a roasting cycle and terminating the roasting cycle for a predetermined cooling period at any point during the roasting cycle, structure for double sealing a cover to a roasting chamber, structure for assembling a vessel, a metallic base, and a plastic mount ring into an integral roasting chamber, structure for releasably and removably mounting a roasting vessel to a main housing, dual filters for preventing the blockage of a hot air stream through a hull and chaff collector, and a “fan based” method for controlling the roasting temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of heating or cooling a charge of a solid material are disclosed. The method includes the steps of supplying a charge of the material to form a packed bed of solids in a process vessel having one or more passageways through which a heat transfer fluid can flow, passing a heat transfer fluid through the one or more passageways and supplying a working fluid to said vessel. The method is characterized by circulating the working fluid through the bed, the circulation step including removing at least part of the working fluid from one or more sections of the vessel and then returning the working fluid to other sections of the vessel.

Abstract: A device that utilizes a method to heat dyes to color plastic lenses. The device is an electrically heated outer tank containing a heat transfer medium. An inner tank containing a dye solution is placed in side the outer tank. Lenses are placed in the dye solution along with sensor probes and microprocessor control to maximize dye diffusion into the lenses and minimize boil over of the tanks. Spill containment and agitation stirring are also features which enhance diffusion of dye into the lenses while minimizing boil over.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the hot air roasting of coffee beans is provided and includes structure for inhibiting contaminants from entering the hot air stream used in the roasting of coffee beans, structure for obtaining a uniform roast of the coffee beans, unitary structure for mounting a handle to a roasting chamber and removably and releasably mounting a cover to the roasting chamber, structure for initiating a roasting cycle and terminating the roasting cycle for a predetermined cooling period at any point during the roasting cycle, structure for double sealing a cover to a roasting chamber, structure for assembling a vessel, a metallic base, and a plastic mount ring into an integral roasting chamber, structure for releasably and removably mounting a roasting vessel to a main housing, dual filters for preventing the blockage of a hot air stream through a hull and chaff collector, and a “fan based” method for controlling the roasting temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating or cooling a solid material (93) in a process vessel (80) is disclosed. The Method includes supplying a working fluid to a vessel which holds a packed bed (93) of the solid material. The method is characterised by reversing the flow of the working fluid to enhance heat transfer between a heat exchange fluid and the solid material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manufacture of extremely fine powders, which are ground wet in a mechanical grinder (1) and are subsequently dried. To obtain extremely fine sizes, the powders are ground wet as components of a suspension in the mechanical grinders. An air vortex grinder (4) is used as a dryer to obtain maximum agglomeration-free drying of the powders. The dried powder leaves the drying chamber (5) of the air vortex grinder (4) through an upper product discharge (8) and is fed through a line (9) to a filter cyclone (11). The suspension leaves the mechanical grinder (1) and is blown into the drying chamber (5) of the dryer (4).

Abstract: A method and drying apparatus for drying a quantity of sludge.

Abstract: Apparatus for fluidizing a pulverulent material in a stream of fluidizing gas includes a membrane through which the fluidizing gas can flow but the pulverulent material cannot, a first fluidizing gas gallery on a first side of the membrane, a second fluidized pulverulent material gallery on a second side of the membrane, a passageway out of the second gallery for the removal of fluidized pulverulent material therefrom, and apparatus for generating a signal indicative of fluidizing gas pressure inside the second gallery and controlling fluidizing gas pressure in the second gallery in response to the generated signal. The passageway accommodates a conveyor having multiple conveying sections. At least a first of the multiple conveying sections is located adjacent an inlet opening of a housing for the conveyor. The first conveying section is generally coextensive with the inlet opening. A conveyor drive mechanism is selectively engageable with the conveyor.

Abstract: A method for feeding metalorganic gas from solid raw materials in MOCVD and its device provides an absorption reagent consisting of porous grains into which a solid metalorganic material is absorbed and the passing of the carrier gas among the absorptive porous grains in the container under a high thermal condition. The mixture gas including the metalorganic gas at a constant density is obtained in stability for a long time.

Abstract: A method for treating sludge by dewatering to form thick sludge and drying to form dry sludge includes the steps of mechanically predewatering thick sludge to produce predewatered thick sludge and mixing the predewatered thick sludge with non-cooled dry sludge to produce a sludge mixture. The temperature of the sludge mixture to be dried is measured and the dry substance contents of the dry sludge based on the measured temperature is determined. Fluctuations in the dry substance contents of the dry sludge are compensated by controlling the amount of recirculated dry sludge to be mixed with the predewatered thick sludge as a function of the temperature of the sludge mixture to be dried. The sludge mixture is dried to produce dry sludge and a portion of the dry sludge is recirculated to be mixed with the predewatered thick sludge.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing sodium perborate monohydrate by dehydrating sodium perborate tetrahydrate in a fluid bed with heated air. Contact surfaces are arranged inside the fluid bed whose total area is the same as up to 500 times the area of the approach-flow bottom of the fluid bed. The contact surfaces are advantageously designed as heat exchangers whose surface temperature is adjusted to maintain 90.degree. to 110.degree. C. at the contact surfaces. The method results in a sodium perborate monohydrate with especially high abrasion resistance. In addition, the energy requirement is lower than that provided in the previously known method commonly used in the industry.

Abstract: In a procedure for continuously crystallizing and polymerizing polyester and polyamide materials, amorphous material is first precrystallized, preferably in a fluidized bed (1,2), then heated up to the reaction temperature in a preheating zone (4) and finally polymerized and largely liberated from byproducts in a reactor (3). In this procedure, material from the discharge area of the preheating zone (4), of the reactor (3) or of a cooler (8) is subjected to an optical analysis in an analyzing unit whereby the degree of polymerization of the material and/or the contents of byproducts can be determined. The result of the analysis as actual value is compared in an comparator unit with a predetermined nominal value obtained in at least one calibration procedure for forming at least one controlled value serving to form at least one control signal that can be supplied to at least one final control element.

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: A fluidization cloth for an ash silo is resistant to high temperatures and mechanical stress, and is formed of a double-sided knit made from aramid or spun glass-fibers, wherein aramid or spun glass-fibers are also used as in-lay threads and the cloth is mounted on a conically-shaped perforated surface that defines it part a foot section of the silo through which compressed air is communicated whereby the cloth permits air to pass through it and mix with the granular, powder-like substance referred to as ash in order to fluidize the ash during discharge of the ash from the silo.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating and delivering a gas that contains vapor produced by subliming a solid for use in chemical vapor deposition processes such as Metal Organic Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MOMBE) and Organometallic Vapor Phase Epitaxy (OMVPE). The method includes generating a gas saturated with the vapor and subsequently diluting the gas with an inert gas to obtain an uniform non-saturated gas. The apparatus includes a vessel for containing a sublimable solid, a heater for maintaining the vessel at a desired temperature, tubes and valves for introducing a gas into the vessel and for discharging a gas that is saturated with the vapor of the solid from the vessel, and a tube and a valve for diluting a gas discharged from the vessel.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus are provided for subliming solid precursors, and especially organometallic precursors, for use in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. The sublimation apparatus includes a sealed vessel having a vacuum chamber. A quantity of the solid precursor is mixed with a loosely packed particulate material, such as ceramic beads, placed within the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber and particulate material are heated. A supply of a carrier gas is directed through the particulate material (particularly through pockets formed in the particulate material) to sublime the precursor which coats the individual particles of particulate material. By agitating the particulate material, a relatively constant sublimation area is maintained. Agitation of the particulate material may be with a mechanical stirrer or by directing an a.c. field through a piezoelectric particulate material.

Abstract: A gas distribution system employing an array of parallel gas inlet pipes and a pair of transverse gas inlet pipes located below the first group of pipes to fluidize a particulate bed in a reaction vessel and to remove non-fluidizable particles that may be introduced into or form in the bed.

Abstract: A reactor for drying solids in a heated fluidized bed comprising over the fluidized bed a vapor-collecting space provided with a vapor outlet. Means for feeding the water-containing solids are provided over the vapor-collecting space. A conical distributor surface, which is rotatable about a vertical axis, is provided in the vapor-collecting space below the supplying means and slopes at an angle of 25.degree. to 70.degree. from the horizontal and is formed with at least one aperture. The aperture occupies 10 to 90% of the theoretical overall area of the distributor surface. The distributor surface is rotated at a speed of 20 to 250 revolutions per minute.