Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the moisture content of a material, such as grain, has a variable volume chamber, which in use is filled with the material. Material within the chamber is heated by heating means to reduce its moisture content. A pumping means is connected to the chamber to pump off fluid from the chamber, whereby a sub-atmospheric pressure can be maintained in the chamber. In use, the pressure differential between the inside and the outside of the chamber is carried by material within the chamber, and the chamber reduces in volume so that no substantial pressure load is carried by walls of the chamber. The heating means can comprise steam pipes extending across the chamber or cylindrical heating elements formed from plates which define ducts for the steam or other heating fluid.

Abstract: A method for drying a porous web, according to which method the wet web is passed onto at least one drying felt, the web and the drying felt are subjected to an air removal treatment, and the web and the drying felt are passed between two surface elements which are impermeable to liquid and form an extended press zone in which the web is subjected to a pressing effect from both sides. Before the press zone the wet web is heated to a temperature of at least nearly 100.degree. C., and in the press zone the drying felt is kept at a temperature lower than the temperature of the wet web, so that a lower pressure is produced in the drying felt, and the high temperature of the water in the web causes an explosive evaporation and transfer of water from the web into the felt.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for drying a paper, or similar, web so that a wet web and a drying felt or wire are subjected to an air removal treatment, the web and the felt or wire freed of air are passed between moving surface elements having good heat conducting properties, said elements enclosing the web and the felt or wire along the whole width, the surface element contacting the web is heated in order to evaporate water contained in the web, and the surface element contacting the felt or wire is cooled in order to condense vapor emanating from the web into the felt or wire, and the felt or wire are separated from the dried web.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device that comprises a refrigeration plant with two distinct evaporators, one parallel with the other, which can be supplied separately to suit the operating cycle of the dry cleaning machine on which the device is mounted and are housed in a corresponding first and a corresponding second jacket.The first jacket is placed in a closed circuit through which passes a forced circulation of liquid and in which is provided the nest of tubes belonging to the condenser mounted in the closed drying circuit of the machine. Heat is given to the said liquid by the solvent vapor and water which, as they pass across the condenser, are cooled and condensed, and the liquid is cooled by the evaporator housed in the first jacket.

Abstract: An apparatus for the recovery of solvents from coated parts during the drying step which consists of a means for heating the air used to dry the parts, an insulated drying chamber, a liquid spray scrubber, a refrigeration section to condense solvent and a cross-exchanger which allows air coming into the refrigeration section to be cooled by that exiting therefrom. The cooled solvent-lean air is then passed to the heating means before being recycled to the drying step.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the recovery and reuse of heat contained in the wet exhaust gases emanating from a solids dryer or liquor concentrator, particularly one in which drying or concentration is facilitated by purging the vapor with some noncondensable gas such as air or nitrogen. Water or solvent vapor in the moist exhaust mixture is separated from the noncondensable gas or gases by preferentially passing the vapor through a semipermeable membrane. The water or solvent vapor is then compressed and subsequently condensed in a heat exchanger, permitting recovery of its latent heat of vaporization for reuse in the evaporation process. In a drying process, this recovered energy is conveniently used to reheat the dry gases that exit from the membrane separator, permitting the hot, dry gases to be recirculated through the dryer. Alternatively, an indirect heat exchanger may be used to transfer this heat to the material being dried.

Abstract: The stack of lumber is first enclosed in a flexible covering of pervious sheet material and then enclosed in a flexible covering of impervious sheet material and electrode plates are positioned above and below the stack of lumber. A subatmospheric pressure is applied on the stack of lumber and the electrodes are charged by high-frequency electric current to dielectrically heat the lumber and volatized water vapors are extracted from the stack of lumber and condensed and withdrawn to reduce the moisture content of the stack of lumber to the desired degree, 15 percent or less by weight. Accurate drying of the lumber is provided and the drying operation requires a relatively short period of time.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for thermally fixing on a support a latent electrostatic image which has been rendered visible by means of a suspension developer by applying heat and vaporizing the developing liquid, in which process the evaporating developing liquid is sucked off, condensed, separated and collected.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for drying of materials such as wood chips or lacquers. A stream of hot gas is provided, the hot gas passes over the material to be dried, the now waste gas is removed from the material to be dried, the volatile substances are deposited from the waste gas and the deposited substances are moved to a collector location. Dust and similar materials can be also bonded during the depositing step. The deposited volatile substances can be removed by intermittent evaporation and/or sublimation and the volatile substances can be collected at a predetermined collector location, or by continuously washing out the volatile substances, or by compressing before cooling down and expanding after cooling down the volatile substances. Removing of deposited volatile substances may be triggered in response to a certain degree of dirtying or soiling and to passing predetermined threshold values of temperature and/or pressure and in accordance with a predetermined time plan, respectively.

Abstract: A continuous vapor processing system for vapor phase soldering, degreasing, or similar processes wherein a product is moved into and out of a vessel in a continuous manner via open conduits or channels while preventing escape of vapor from the processing tank and the conduits.

Abstract: A self-venting cargo container for transporting temperature and moisture sensitive cargo having a tight enclosure for retaining bulk cargo with one of the end walls being openable for loading and unloading cargo and side walls which have longitudinally-extending and outwardly projecting moldings with each side wall having at least one section for admitting and exhausting air into and out of said container. Each of the side wall sections having an upper portion with a series of openings and an intermediate portion with a series of openings for air passage therethrough. Baffle means are secured to each section directly above the openings in the upper and intermediate portions of the side wall sections forming a canopy over the openings to exclude rain water and sea water from entering the openings in the side wall sections.

Abstract: Apparatus to supply steam to a paper sheet that passes by the apparatus from a leading edge to a trailing edge of the apparatus. The apparatus is adapted to be positioned adjacent the nip of two rolls and comprises a first header for steam and a first chamber to receive steam from the first header. Passages for steam are formed between the first header and the first chamber. An outlet in the first chamber permits steam to be forced against the paper sheet adjacent the leading edge of the apparatus to form a steam curtain to reduce the amount of air drawn under the apparatus by the paper sheet. A second chamber receives steam from the first header. There are passages for steam between the first header and the second chamber and outlets in the second chamber so that steam may be forced against the paper sheet to heat the sheet. The flow of steam along the length of the apparatus can be controlled.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for the drying of articles, especially foodsfs, biological materials and other substances susceptible to cell damage with overheating, wherein the material is spread in a high-vacuum vessel directly adjacent a cooled condenser and is subjected to a vacuum by a pump capable of developing pressures as low as about 0.1 mbar. The chamber is evacuated until there is a noticeable formation of the condenser whereupon the connection between the pump and the chamber is closed and the product is heated to evaporate liquids but below a predetermined temperature (say a maximum of 50.degree. C.) while the condensate resulting from the evaporation is collected directly below the product and is discharged.

Abstract: The removal of water from wood by the process of the invention is carried out by supplying sufficient quantities of heat to maintain the pressure of the environment in which the wood is disposed above atmospheric pressure, and discharging water vapor from this environment, the heat supply and the discharge of water vapor being regulated so as to maintain a succession of conditions of substantially saturated water vapor in the said environment.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drying moisture-containing material by use of a vacuum tank as disclosed. The tank is partially filled with cold liquid, such as water, and the material to be dried is supported in the tank above the liquid surface. Surface condensing means are located inside the tank adjacent the tank bottom in the cold liquid which condensing means has a combined vapor inlet-liquid overflow conduit through which vapor which evaporates from the material to be dried enters and through which liquid in the tank may overflow. Condensate and liquid overflow are removed from the condensing means as by pumping means. Air is evacuated from the tank as by first filling the tank with liquid while venting air therefrom, then pumping liquid from the tank through said condensing means. Moisture which rapidly evaporates from the material to be dried is condensed at the surface of the cold liquid and in said condensing means, for removal thereof by pumping through the outlet therefrom.

Abstract: A portable extendable inclined boiler having an open and a closed end, for steaming and thereby softening wooden members for later bending including: a low water cutoff utilizing a thermostat mounted on the boiler wall near the heater; a low water cutoff actuated by the reduction in weight of boiler heater to a predetermined minimum; a steam control thermostat mounted at the open end of the boiler which temporarily turns off the heater when excess steam is being produced; and an integral boiler water measure utilizing a weep hole in the wall of the boiler for providing an indication of the correct boiler water charge to the operator.

Abstract: A separation apparatus for a condensation-drying plant is disclosed wherein in an autoclave the material to be dried is heated by the heat of condensation of a readily volatile fluid and where this material contains a less volatile fluid (e.g. oil). Two evaporators are provided to separate this less volatile fluid during the drying process. Thermal energy is conserved by feeding the steam of the more volatile fluid from the first evaporator to the autoclave.

Abstract: A housing contains a sump located below a partition wall having an opening which communicates the sump with a work receiving chamber above the partition wall. An upper condenser is provided in said chamber and a lower condenser in said sump. A chilled coil is located in the chamber above the elevation of the upper condenser but below the upper lip of the housing. Between the upper lip of the housing and the chilled coil, there is provided a vapor discharge port.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning containers which comprises a head assembly securable to an opening in the container. The head assembly has means for introducing cleaning vapor into the container, means for removing condensate from adjacent the bottom of the container, and means which include a cooler for receiving vapor from the container.

Abstract: An onsite method and apparatus for treating oil-contaminated drill cuttings at an onsite location, e.g., offshore drillsite, whereby the cuttings can be disposed of directly without the risk of pollution. The contaminated cuttings are separated from the drilling mud and are passed to a heating section of a treating unit where they are sprayed with steam to flash distill the oil from the cuttings. The distilled oil and the spent steam are passed to a cooling section of the treating unit where they are condensed before being passed to a water-oil separator. The cleaned cuttings are removed from the heating section for disposal, e.g., by dumping them into the water if at an offshore location.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous thermal treatment of a product within an atmosphere made up of steam (saturated or superheated) of pure water or of a mixture of air and water vapor is disclosed. The product moves through an enclosed or confined space for its thermal treatment by the steam. The space is provided with entry and exit air-locks for the conveyance of the product into the space and for its removal. There are also means for guiding the product through the air-locks and the space. Additional means is provided to encourage thermal treatment and hence the space is provided with convection, radiation or conduction means to bring heat to the product. A first condensor receives vapor or humid air which is preferably extracted from the enclosed space via the adjacent air locks; it provides heat recovery of the purged vapor from the space. A second condensor is placed within the enclosed space and communicates with the high pressure discharge port of a compressor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for eliminating the residue waste of aqueous ammonia solution, comprising a first portion of ammonia gas and a second portion of steam, of a developer system in an ammonia type diazo machine. The device provides for separating the first and second portions, recirculating the first portion to the developer system, condensing the second portion to form water and conveying the water via an inlet duct to an evaporator tank. A heater is provided for heating the evaporator tank to vaporize the water therein and an outlet duct is provided for expelling the water vaporized in the tank to an exhaust system of the machine.

Abstract: Vapor degreasing apparatus comprising a tank having in its lower part a heatable reservoir for a solvent for fats, oils, lubricants or the like, and having, above said reservoir, a vapor space adapted for introducing therein metal articles or machine parts to be degreased. Cooling water piping is provided in the upper part of the tank, said piping comprising a section which functions as a heat exchanger for incoming heat released during the vapor-liquid conversion of the solvent while forming a vapor escape barrier for retaining, through condensation, the solvent vapor, said piping also comprising a section which functions as a heat exchanger for outgoing heat to the ambient air.

Abstract: A dishwasher is disclosed which includes a tub formed of plastic, such as polypropylene, or other heat-deformable material. A heating element for effecting the final drying of the articles in the dishwasher is disposed near the bottom wall of the tub where the heat from the heating element could cause a deformation of the adjacent portion of the bottom wall of the tub. A shallow receptacle is disposed between the heating element and the portion of the bottom wall of the tub in close proximity thereto. The receptacle retains a small amount of the water used in the washing and rinsing operations and the evaporation of this water during the energization of the heating element insures that the temperature of the adjacent bottom wall remains below that at which any damage thereto could occur. Spaced dividers extending transversely of the slope of the bottom wall are provided in the receptacle to insure that water is retained therein over substantially the entire surface of the bottom of the receptacle.

Abstract: Systems for drying moisture entrained particulate material include a pressurizable chamber for receiving the material to be dried, and a fluid bed device disposed within the chamber for moving the material from an inlet through the chamber to an outlet. A heat exchanger heats the material to be dried flowing into the chamber. Compressing apparatus in the form of a blower pump draws air from the chamber to remove moisture from the material and for compressing the moisture entrained air for heating it. The heated moisture entrained air is guided from the compressing device to the heat exchanger for supplying heat to it. In one form of the invention, a second heat exchanger disposed near the oulet of the chamber cools the material prior to its leaving the chamber for retaining heat within the system. The air flowing from the second heat exchanger is heated by conduction from the blower pump prior to entering the pressurizable chamber for an even more efficient operation of the system.

Abstract: In a laundry machine having a horizontal axis rotatable drum and a door for access into the drum there is provided an air vent including a duct having one end in air flow communication with the interior of the drum and the opposite end in air flow communication with air outside the machine. The air vent also includes a flexible flap within the duct having one end free and movable from a vertical first position to a second position and the opposite end of the flap is secured to the duct. The flap has a dimension less than the inside lateral cross section of the duct. There is also a partition spaced from the free end of the flap when the flap is in the first vertical position and the partition has an opening smaller than the flap whereby the opening is covered when the machine is in operation and the flap is in the second position.

Abstract: A method for removing water from the surface of workpieces, particularly, glass workpieces, by dipping the workpieces into a boiling dewatering bath composed of an organic solvent which is immiscible with water and which contains surface active agents, and subsequently rinsing the workpiece in one or more baths of the pure organic solvent in order to remove the surface active agent. The subsequent rinsing baths may be boiling or at ambient temperature and vapors therefrom as well as from the initial dewatering bath are condensed and collected.An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Petroleum solvent vapors which discharge from a dry cleaning dryer in a heated gaseous mixture of vapors and air are condensed and recovered, and heat energy is recovered for productive use elsewhere. The gaseous mixture of vapors and air is sprayed with relatively cool water to condense the solvent vapors. The resulting liquid mixture of water and solvent is withdrawn from the spray chamber and is subjected to gravitational separation. Water reclaimed in the separation process is reused in the spray chamber. Recovered solvent is reused in a dry cleaning washer. The gravitational separation process is preferably carried out in a series of gravitational separators, and heat is withdrawn from at least one of the separation units for productive use in a heat consuming device.

Abstract: A liquid composition, containing methylene chloride, can provide phosphate coatings on metal articles. In addition to the methylene chloride, the composition contains a phosphatizing proportion of phosphoric acid and a solubilizing solvent capable of solubilizing phosphoric acid in methylene chloride. Most critically, the composition contains water in an amount exceeding the proportion of phosphoric acid, yet, the water-containing liquid composition maintains liquid phase homogeneity. Phosphatized coatings of desirable water insolubility are thereby obtained.

Abstract: In a copying machine, especially of the liquid development type, a developing liquid recovery device includes heating means for heating wet-developed copy mediums to dry and fix them, wherein developing liquid vapor is produced from the copy mediums. Condenser means is provided for cooling the developing liquid vapor by means of a heat exchanger to thereby form the vapor into mist. Mist collector means for electrically charging the mist-like developing liquid vapor collects the vapor in an electric field. Circulating means is provided for circulating an air flow through the heating means, the condenser means and the mist collector means in succession.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for receiving low-volume liquid sludge concentrations, exposing the liquid-sludge slurry to a heating surface thereby evaporating a portion of the liquid from the slurry, and advancing the contaminant bearing liquid for further exposure to additional heating surfaces such that as the slurry passes therethrough, in thermal contact with the heating surfaces, the solids content is increased by evaporating the liquid material while allowing the solids material to accumulate on the heating surfaces which are automatically and continuously cleaned to maintain the efficiency of the system and discharge these materials in a substantially dry state.

Abstract: Process for substantially quantitatively removing and recovering a volatile, organic, water-immiscible wetting liquid from a solid material which is wet therewith, which process comprises intimately contacting the solid material first with the superheated vapor of a water-immiscible, organic stripping liquid and thereafter with dry steam, said contacting taking place in an environment substantially free of noncondensable gas, condensing the mixture of organic vapor and steam to form a two-phase liquid mixture consisting of liquid organic phase and liquid water phase, and separating the liquid organic phase and the liquid water phase.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for the production of solid fuel and steam by drying moisture-containing solids, such as refuse and sludge cakes, in a multi-stage heating zone by using the moisture-containing solids as the feed-water in a direct contact countercurrent flow pressurized boiler. After vaporizing the bulk of the moisture in the heating zone of the boiler, the solid residue is further dried in a multi-stage flashing zone. From the upper end of the heating zone is removed a nearly saturated steam including the water vapor evaporated from the moisture-contained solids by the heat of cooling of the introduced superheated steam. A portion of the removed steam equal to the vaporized moisture is heated and then directed to a turbine, generating all the power required to operate the system. The bulk of the removed steam equal to the introduced superheated steam is compressed, reheated and recycled through the heating zone.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, drying a hygroscopic material possessing a fibrous structure, such as wood and cardboard, which is impinged in a closed drying compartment by a flowing drying medium, which is heated and demoisturized, and wherein after the introduction of the material to be dried into the drying compartment the drying medium is heated to a predetermined temperature and maintained during the entire drying process at such temperature. The drying medium is moved past the material to be dried in order to remove from such material the expelled moisture. From the point in time of reaching the aforementioned predetermined temperature and a fixed value of the moisture content of the drying medium, calculated after the course of a certain time duration, the drying medium is demoisturized for such length of time until its moisture content has dropped to the aforementioned fixed value.

Abstract: A dryer for particulate material combines the drying effect of a stream of heated gas circulated by a blower in a closed duct system with that of a radiator structure which is in the drying chamber and is in a heat pump circuit. The condenser of the heat pump circuit is in the duct system where it condenses moisture from the gas which has passed through the particulate material. The heat pump compressor is driven by an internal combustion engine which is in a compartment in heat exchange relationship with the duct system. The engine cooling system radiator is immediately downstream from the condenser and the engine exhaust system includes a heat exchanger which is in the duct downstream from the engine cooling radiator.