Abstract: A refrigerant is directly contacted to a substrate to be processed that was heated so as to quickly cool the substrate. Thus, the temperature of the substrate is dropped to a predetermined temperature level. The substrate is cooled by a cooling device and cooling water. Thus, the cooling temperature can be accurately controlled. In addition, the substrate can be effectively cooled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for carrying out the method for drying crockery in a dishwasher with a rinse container closeable by means of a door. By means of two or three successive different method steps, the drying is improved. The method steps include a drainage phase, a drying phase with blower or condenser and an automatic, partial opening of the door.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying semiconductor wafers using IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) vapor includes a first chamber for producing the IPA vapor, and a second chamber connected to the first chamber through an IPA supply line, for receiving the IPA vapor and drying semiconductor wafers using the IPA vapor. With the drying apparatus, the first and second chambers are separated from each other, which allows the process steps of producing the IPA vapor and the drying the wafers to be separately performed. The drying apparatus thus prevents particles from being generated in the second chamber during the drying process. The wafers can be dried without a variation in temperature in the second chamber. The IPA vapor is exhausted from the second chamber by introducing nitrogen into the second chamber. As a result, the IPA vapor in the second chamber is not liquified and thereby leaves no substance to adhere to a contact portion between a wafer carrier and each wafer.

Abstract: A wood treating apparatus for efficiently treating wood with a chlorine-based organic solvent includes: a solvent tank storing a mixture of chlorine-based solvent and water, which solvent tank is provided with a heater for heating the mixture to generate vapor of chlorine-based solvent and water; a treating chamber for containing wood to be treated, which treating chamber receives the vapor from the solvent tank; and a cooling chamber contacting an upper portion of the treating chamber for cooling and condensing the vapor. The treated wood dries rapidly, and can uniformly be dyed.

Abstract: A component drier for drying electronic components which are washed with solvent. The component drier includes a drying chamber, in which a vat having a bottom surface wall allowing passage of air and water is arranged. The vat stores components to be dried. Heated air is introduced into the drying chamber through an air inlet which is positioned above the vat. The air in the drying chamber is forcibly discharged through an air outlet which is positioned below the vat. Thus, a space under the vat has a sufficient negative pressure as compared with a space above the vat so that the air forcibly passes through clearances between the components downwardly from above the vat, thereby removing most part of the solvent moistening the components in the liquid state. A small quantity of liquid which is left on the components is subsequently efficiently vaporized by the heated air.

Abstract: The generation of volatiles from liquid or solid materials is enhanced and accelerated by exposure to microwave radiation. Normally the energy transfer is effected preferentially toward the liquid or solid materials over the generated gaseous volatiles. Sufficient energy is provided at a selected rate that enhances the generation of volatiles to effect removal as vapor or to produce a pressurized vapor phase. Flow-through separations from a matrix having a microwave-absorbing liquid component are conducted by exposing to microwave radiation to vaporize this component and processing the vapor either by flowing through a selective permeable membrane, or by enclosing the vapor and matrix in a confined space and flowing matrix through a selected separation medium, and recovering residual matrix. These separations are particularly useful in analysis contexts.

Abstract: A component drier for drying electronic components which are washed with solvent. The component drier includes a drying chamber, in which a vat having a bottom surface wall allowing passage of air and water is arranged. The vat stores components to be dried. Heated air is introduced into the drying chamber through an air inlet which is positioned above the vat. The air in the drying chamber is forcibly discharged through an air outlet which is positioned below the vat. Thus, a space under the vat has a sufficient negative pressure as compared with a space above the vat so that the air forcibly passes through clearances between the components downwardly from above the vat, thereby removing most part of the solvent moistening the components in the liquid state. A small quantity of liquid which is left on the components is subsequently efficiently vaporized by the heated air.

Abstract: The device for eliminating humidity particularly from laundry includes a frame body having inside, in combination, a device for dehumidifying the air and a device for heating the dehumidified air to a selected temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapidly drying an object, such as a semiconductor wafer, by creating a vapor flow from a liquid, such as isopropyl alcohol, and exposing the object to that flow. The apparatus comprises a heater for vaporizing liquid in a reservoir into a vapor, a condenser for subsequently condensing the vapor, and a treatment chamber into which the object to be dried is placed. The vaporization of the liquid at the reservoir and its subsequent condensation at the condenser creates a pressure gradient between the heater and the condenser, thereby forming a vapor stream. The object to be dried is exposed to this vapor stream, whereby some of the vapor condenses on the object and combines with the liquid on the object to produce a condensate which flows off the object, thereby drying the object. The method comprises the steps of heating a liquid to form a vapor, condensing the vapor to form a vapor stream, and positioning an object to be dried in the vapor stream.

Abstract: A drier having a boxlike housing (12) for receiving a hopper (13) therein which contains a batch of wet sludge. The hopper (13) cooperates with the housing, when closed therein, to define a closed air recirculation system which supplies dry pressurized warm air into an air-receiving chamber (79) located at the bottom of the hopper. The air passes upwardly through a perforated bottom wall (78) into and through the sludge to remove moisture therefrom. The moist air passes upwardly through the open top of the hopper, through a filter and is supplied to a drying unit (34) located in the housing for removing moisture therefrom, which moisture is externally discharged. The drying unit resupplies the dry air back to the drying chamber formed in the hopper.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removing moisture from a wet material.

Abstract: A device for drying articles such as semiconductor wafers comprising a vacuum process chamber for holding articles to be dried; a vapor generator substantially isolated from the process chamber for supplying a substance such as isopropyl alcohol in vapor form to the process chamber; a heater for heating the walls of the process chamber to discourage the substance vapor from condensing on the inside walls of the process chamber. The device can also be used for rinsing and cleansing articles prior to drying.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dehydrating sewage sludge is described. Sewage sludge is placed into a dehydration chamber. The sewage sludge is heated to convert moisture in the sewage sludge to steam and cause gasification. Steam and gases are drawn from the dehydration chamber into a condenser, where the steam is condensed to form hot water. Gases are drawn from the condenser to a burner.

Abstract: A flexible air duct is connected to a dishwashing unit for conducting hot moist air therefrom. Opposite ends of the duct communicate with the dishwashing unit for conducting condensed water back thereto, while hot air is discharged through an air outlet disposed intermediate the ends of the duct. The duct is of oblong cross-section and includes cooling fins on one side.

Abstract: An improved air drier adapted for drying humid air is equipped with a cylinder shaped shell having a conical water collecting bottom and a duct disposed therein which is provided with an air outlet tube through the center thereof; and the outer wall of the duct helically wound with the elongated condensing tube in which the coolant of a condenser circulates is helically disposed a continuous partition board in correspondence to the wound condensing tube; the periphery of the continuous partition board is not in contact with the inner wall of the cylinder shaped shell with a drain space defined therebetween so as to permit the water condensed from the moisture in the humid air can drip down therefrom to the water collection bottom. The dried air is then led through the outlet tube to the outside.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing out photopolymer printing plates by means of solvents, drying the printing plates and recovering the solvents, a conventional washout station and a conventional drying station being connected to a solvent recovery means integrated in the drying station, which consists of the following parts:a hermetically sealing drying chamber for the printing plates, having an adjustable hood (15) and stationary panel (16), with panel heaters (18a, 18b) inserted in the hood and panel,a system which is connected to the interior space formed when the drying chamber is closed and which consists of a heat exchanger (25) for cooling the solvent vapor/air mixture, formed by drying the printing plates in the drying chamber, and condensation of the solvents,a solvent separator (26) for separating off the liquefied solvents,a vacuum pump (27) and a buffer vessel (33) for sucking up the solvent vapor/air mixture and compressing the solvent vapor/air mixture,a heat exchanger (28) for increasing the temperature

Abstract: A device for drying articles such as semiconductor wafers comprising a vacuum process chamber for holding articles to be dried; a vapor generator substantially isolated from the process chamber for supplying a substance such as isopropyl alcohol in vapor form to the process chamber; a heater for heating the walls of the process chamber to discourage the substance vapor from condensing on the inside walls of the process chamber. The device can also be used for rinsing and cleansing articles prior to drying.

Abstract: A device for drying articles such as semiconductor wafers comprising a vacuum process chamber for holding articles to be dried; a vapor generator substantially isolated from the process chamber for supplying a substance such as isopropyl alcohol in vapor form to the process chamber; a heater for heating the walls of the process chamber to discourage the substance vapor from condensing on the inside walls of the process chamber. The device can also be used for rinsing and cleansing articles prior to drying.

Abstract: The apparatus recovers solvent vapor and is used in a process for drying goods. A closed system of pipes guides an air flow through a heat exchanger comprising a condenser and an air heater. The system of pipes has a blower for providing a circulation forming this air flow and a switching means for the air flow comprising a plurality of valves and at least one pipe segment by which an adsorber is connectable in series in the circulation with a processing container. The adsorber is connectable by the blower or directly in the circulation with an outlet of the processing container. Advantageously at least one other pipe segment bypassing the heat exchanger with the switching means is provided so that the circulation only runs through the processing container, the blower and the adsorber without running through the heat exchanger. Furthermore at least one additional pipe segment and at least one additional switching means are provided bypassing the processing container.

Abstract: A method of cleaning watery i.e. humid, ventilating air containing liquids which have been gasified during cooling or lubrication of converting machines, particularly rolling mills, comprises cooling of the ventilating air in one or several stages to a temperature below the condensing point of the gasified substances in the ventilating air, so that these substances condense. In connection with the condensation, the larger portion of the condensed cooling or lubricating liquids is separated from the water and reused. The condensed water mixed with the rest of the condensed cooling and lubricating liquids is returned to the cleaned and dried ventilating air and is caused to be absorbed by the ventilating air. By dividing the cooling operation into two steps, the cooling and lubricating liquids can be caused to condense in the first stage without condensation of any water and water can be caused to condense substantially only in the second stage.

Abstract: Apparatus for drying pulverized material utilizes a high enthalpy condensable vapor such as steam for removing moisture from the individual particles of the pulverized material. The initially wet particulate material is tangentially delivered by a carrier vapor flow to an upper portion of a generally vertical cylindrical separation drum. The lateral wall of the separation drum is provided with a plurality of flow guides for directing the vapor tangentially therein in the direction of particulate material flow. Positioned concentrically within the separation drum and along the longitudinal axis thereof is a water-cooled condensation cylinder which is provided with a plurality of collection plates, or fins, on the outer lateral surface thereof. The cooled collection fins are aligned counter to the flow of the pulverized material and high enthalpy vapor mixture to maximize water vapor condensation thereon.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for drying and cooling dry cleaned items and for recovering cleaning solvents therefrom, including a cleaning drum for receiving and treating the items with cleaning solvent, a circulating fan for drawing air through the drum, a heater for heating the air drawn through the drum during the drying cycle of the dry cleaning machine, a condenser for condensing solvent vapors entrained in the heated air during the drying cycle and a gas compresser to supply the heater and condenser with hot gas during the drying cycle of the apparatus. The compresser also supplies cold refrigerant to the condenser during the drying cycle. The compresser then supplies cold refrigerant both to the heater and the condenser during the cooling cycle of the apparatus.

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: A solar drying device for drying wet material. The device includes an air-filled drying chamber adapted to contain wet material to be dried. A solar collector heats the wet material and air contained within the drying chamber. A dehumidification system includes a dehumidification chamber defined in part by an outer panel and an inner panel, the outer panel being in contact with the ambient atmosphere. The dehumidification chamber forms at least part of a wall of one of the drying chamber and the solar collector. Means are provided for directing warm, moist air from the drying chamber through the dehumidification chamber so that water from the moist air condenses on the outer panel. The air is then directed to one of the drying chamber and the ambient atmosphere. Means are provided for removing the condensed water from the dehumidification system.

Abstract: Vapor laden effluent from a drying chamber is dehumidified by condensing the vapor through the acceleration thereof, and by subsequent condensate removal as through inertial separation. The resultant effluent is recirculated to the drying chamber after being heated and pressurized.

Abstract: Non-aqueous solvents are removed from a substrate, e.g., paper, by contacting the substrate with a condensable, vaporous heat transfer medium that is in a superheated state, e.g., superheated steam, and maintaining said substrate in contact with said superheated heat transfer medium, while also maintaining said heat transfer medium in superheated state, for a period of time sufficient to effect removal of said non-aqueous liquid from said substrate without concomitant condensation of said superheated heat transfer medium thereon. The superheated heat transfer medium, as well as being the source of energy for evaporating the solvent, acts as a solvent vapor transport medium. Upon evaporation of the solvent, the solvent vapor-heat transfer medium mixture can be sent to a recovery zone to easily recover said solvent via condensation of the mixture and thereby avoid the discharge of said solvent vapors into the atmosphere.

Abstract: The gaseous discharge from a dry cleaning machine containing dry cleaning solvents is purified by passage through a gas/gas heat exchanger from which the gaseous flow enters a gas/liquid heat exchanger after having been cooled and partially dehumidified in the gas/gas heat exchanger. An accumulation cooling circuit acts on the gas/liquid heat exchanger to further cool and purify the gaseous flow coming from the gas/liquid heat exchanger, such flow then being returned into the gas/gas heat exchanger, where it is warmed therein by the incoming flow to be purified before returning into the dry cleaning machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying fabric and other materials comprises a vacuum chamber to contain the fabric, a condenser for condensing vapor generated from the fabric in the vaccum chamber, a heat exchanger in the vacuum chamber through which the condensate is passed and a heater for supplying heat to the condensate on its way from the condenser to the heat exchanger. Preferably the fabric is drawn continuously through the chamber through an inlet and an outlet both provided with vacuum seals.

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: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for drying materials such as wood chips and removing condensable and/or precipitable substances from the resulting waste gas.

Abstract: The degree of saturation of a vapor in a chamber such as a curing oven is controlled by sensing the vapor dew point and varying the rate of removal of such vapor from the oven in response to a comparison of the sensed dew point with a predetermined dew point. This comparison may also be effected by comparing the difference between the actual dew point and oven temperature with a predetermined difference and controlling the rate of vapor removal in response to variations between the actual and predetermined differences. Alternately, a predetermined ratio between dew point and oven temperature may be maintained. By controlling the dew point of the vapor, i.e. degree of saturation, condensation in the oven is precluded while still permitting high solvent vapor concentrations which in turn facilitate recovery of solvent exhausted or removed from the oven.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the recovery of heat and/or condensable liquid from a gaseous environment utilizing an open cycle heat pump system. The open cycle heat pump system is employed to alter the temperature of a gas by compression, expansion, heat exchange, and combinations thereof, to condense selected vapors carried in the gaseous environment for removal from the gas. The open cycle heat pump system can also be used to extract the heat from a gas for use as desired.The invention also relates to means for recovering condensable solvent and/or heat from gas streams employed in drying ovens used in processing solvent-laden materials.

Abstract: A steam lock is connected to the processing chamber in which textile goods are treated with an organic solvent which is immiscible with water. The web of material is led through this lock. This steam lock consists of an evacuation chamber which is separated from the processing chamber by a pair of sealing lips, of a plurality of steam chambers which are separated from each other and from the evacuation chamber by constrictions, and of a compensating chamber which is also separated by a constriction from the steam chambers. All the chambers are connected to a condenser and a water separator by means of a suction duct. The steam chambers are equipped with steam pipes which are adjustable and provided with slit nozzles, and superheated steam is supplied to these steam pipes.

Abstract: In a housing, a clothes dryer wherein dampness in washed clothes is expelled by warm air sweeping therethrough, the air being drawn in at least partly from the environment through openings formed in the housing and heated and, after absorbing the dampness, exhausted at least partly back into the environment, the air drawn in from the environment and exhausted to the environment being conducted through two channels of a heat exchanger with a solid-body regenerator alternatingly contacted in part by the drawn-in air and the exhausted air, the improvement therein including non-hygroscopic storage material received in the regenerator and absorbing thermal energy as loss-free as possible, storing the absorbed thermal energy as loss-free as possible and subsequently surrendering the thermal energy as loss-free as possible, the regenerator being air-permeable in axial direction thereof and being mounted in the drawn-in and exhausted air channels for rotation in a manner that every region of the regenerator is altern

Abstract: A vacuum drying kiln has a drying chamber in which, in use, is placed timber to be dried and around which is a surrounding water jacket through which is circulated a heat exchange fluid which derives its heat by flowing through the secondary circuit of a heat exchanger through the primary circuit of which is pumped a mixture of air and water vapor drawn by a vacuum pump from the interior of the drying chamber. The kiln is operated cyclically through successive heating and evacuation phases and the vacuum pump is one utilizing a secondary fluid to effect pumping, the characteristics of this secondary fluid being that it is immiscible with water and has a low specific heat so that it encourages the condensation of the water vapor in the primary circuit of the heat exchanger by undergoing large temperature variations for small changes in heat content.

Abstract: A process for optimum usage of energy in the CURING of grain in a bin using free energy of atmospheric air. Optimum utilization of energy in the operation of ventilation fans and dehumidification of atmospheric air without waste of energy is achieved by operating fans and infrared emitters only when required as dictated by the measured temperature differential between the air entering and the air exhausting from the bin. As physiological activity and metabolic processes of the freshly harvested seeds decrease, as indicated by exchanges of heat and moisture between the seeds and the environment, the energy needed to maintain a biologically safe environment also decreases.

Abstract: A new and improved corrosion resistant condenser is provided, adapted for use with a freeze drying system for dehydration of materials with relatively high concentrations of acids or bases. The condenser includes unique heat transfer means for uniform transfer of heat flow between the outer surface of the condenser and a corrosion resistant condensing trap disposed inside the condenser, which condensing trap may be readily removed from the system and immediately replaced in preparation for another freeze drying procedure.

Abstract: A material collecting device such as a hopper, shredder, or enclosed conveyor having an entrance opening for deposit of material into the device, an exit opening for removal of material, and a hood on the device connected with duct means for exhaust of dust particles from the material, the hood being provided with a circumferential passage through which air is drawn into the device for entraining such dust particles, and with coils or rings for removing moisture from the air, the coils being connected with a source of hot fluid or refrigerant for drying the material and/or the air within the device, and being Coanda-shaped if desired for extraction of water from a moving air stream.