Abstract: A grain dryer for removing moisture from shelled corn, milo, wheat, barley, oats, soy beans, and various other grains, a pair of walls, of which the outer is perforated throughout the working area while the inner has a plurality of unperforated sections, the walls defining a flow path for the grain therebetween, which path varies in width, air passed through the walls and the grain therebetween forming the drying, and the dryer being substantially of the continuous flow type. The invention also contemplates a new method of drying grain.

Abstract: In a process for drying and heating nylon granules, in which the granules flow downwards through a vertical zone, hot inert gases which are free from molecular oxygen are passed in counter-current through the granules and the cooled granules are then intermittently discharged in part-streams, the improvement wherein the wet granules, or a suspension of the granules in water, are fed into the zone at the top, the granules are deposited as a layer, the water is led away, the layer of granules is then transferred into the next-lower part of the zone, the granules are there allowed to flow under gravity downwards through the zone, and inert gases which are free from molecular oxygen are passed in countercurrent upwards through the granules at from 70 to 200.degree.

Abstract: A concurrent-countercurrent flow type grain dryer is described having an improved wet grain-hot air contacting arrangement. The dryer includes a wet grain bin having a horizontal floor assembly with a plurality of uniformly spaced openings with a tube member extending downwardly beneath each such opening. These tubes have insulated side walls and serve to deliver wet grain in response to gravity from the bin into a drying chamber. A hot air inlet duct is provided adjacent the tube members to deliver hot air into the space between the tube members and downwardly through a bed of grain in the drying chamber. The bottom of the drying chamber has metering grain outlets as well as cooling air inlet ducts, while air exhaust duct are provided intermediate the hot and cooling air inlets.

Abstract: A concurrent-countercurrent air flow grain dryer of the type having an enclosed bin with a wet grain inlet at the top and a dry grain outlet at the bottom includes means for introducing hot air near the top of the bin to serve as a drying medium for the grain in a flow concurrent with the grain. Means are provided at the bottom of the bin to introduce cool air which flows countercurrent to the grain flow. An exhaust is provided intermediate where the hot and cool air are introduced. A manifold for the exhaust directs parts of the exhaust air through the hot air inlet portion of the dryer. In this manner, at least a portion of the exhaust air is recycled prior to ultimate exhaust from a vent associated with the exhaust manifold.

Abstract: Improved process and apparatus for drying are disclosed whereby a moist granular material is dried by contact with a heated gas and is then cooled by contact with a cooler gas. The cooling gas is supplied to the cooling zone at a pressure which exceeds atmospheric pressure. During passage through the cooling zone, the temperature of the cooling gas is increased, and all of it is then circulated to the heating zone in order to reuse the heat thus absorbed for drying still more granular material. Fuel utilization and drying cost can be substantially reduced, and the invention is especially suitable for use with recirculating grain dryers.

Abstract: The grain is cleaned prior to heating. Then it moves downwardly as a column between perforated walls and is traversed by several airstreams of differing temperatures which provide three or more heating zones and a cooling zone. The temperature of each heating zone beneath the uppermost is less than that of the heating zone next above it. In the cooling zone, the air is drawn inwardly through the grain and into a duct by an exhaust fan. Any fines dislodged during cooling are filtered from the spent cooling air as it emerges from the exhaust fan. The filter is a fine mesh circular screen. A continuously rotating suction shoe removes the fines from the screen. The initial grain cleaning device has two concentric tumbling screens, one for collecting large particles and the other for screening out the fines. The fines are then conveyed through a heating zone and dried, and then run through a dust collector together with the fines from the filter.

Abstract: An improved concurrent flow, counterflow continuous type grain dryer includes bottom cold air inlet ducts for counterflow of cold air, a first and second set of upper horizontal hot air inlet ducts connected with a common hot air manifold for concurrent flow of hot air, intermediate exhaust ducts transverse to the inlet ducts and connected with the hot air manifold for recycling of exhaust air through the inlet ducts, and separate upper, transverse exhaust ducts vented to the atmosphere.

Abstract: Continuous flow grain drying apparatus having an upper, foraminous drying enclosure into which grain to be dried is introduced and which communicates with a lower, foraminous cooling enclosure. A first enclosed, foraminous duct in the upper enclosure defines therewith a first pair of passages which divide the downward flow of grain into two separate parallel streams, a blower and burner combination communicating with the first duct causing outward flow of heated air simultaneously through the first passages. A second, enclosed, foraminous duct is provided in the lower enclosure defining therewith a second pair of passages and a divider connects the first and second ducts and extends through the open ends of the upper and lower enclosures thereby coupling respective ones of the first and second passages so that the two streams respectively continue separate, downward, parallel flow through the second passages.