Abstract: A vapor generating and recovery apparatus for vaporizing a liquid and condensing a vapor, the apparatus including a container having a liquid therein with a heating and cooling system in heat transfer relation with the liquid and vapor in the container. The heating and cooling system includes means to vaporize the liquid and means to condense the vaporized liquid disposed within the container. The apparatus further includes means to remove liquid from the container and return same to the container into the liquid below the top surface of the liquid in the form of a spray at boiling or higher temperatures to provide agitation of the liquid sufficient to create treating action on objects which have been placed in the liquid.

Abstract: Porous desiccant material, such as silica gel, activated alumina, molecular sieves or mixtures thereof, is efficiently regenerated for reuse as a drying agent by irradiating a bed of the desiccant material with microwave energy preferably having a frequency of from 2400 MHz to 2500 MHz or from 900 to 915 MHz to heat and substantially affect only moisture adsorbed by the material and to vaporize the moisture in consequence of the heating of the moisture, the vaporized moisture being purged out of the bed with a forced draft of scavenging air while the bed undergoes irradiation by the microwave energy, and the resulting mixture of scavenging air and vapor being disposed of by discharging the mixture to an effluent receiving region isolated from the bed.

Abstract: A method for removing processing oil from thin sheets of microporous plastic material is comprised of a tank having a liquid zone in its bottom portion which is divided into three sub-tanks having decreasing depths extending across the tank. Heating coils in each sub-tank vaporize the solvent to form a cleaning zone, containing vaporized solvent, above the liquid portion, and condensing coils located at the top of the tank condense the vaporized solvent and deposit it into the deepest sub-tank which also is supplied fresh make up solvent when required. A series of rollers feeds the material through the tank, from the side having the shallowest sub-tank toward the side having the deepest sub-tank, while repeatedly passing it between the cleaning zone where solvent is condensed on it to clean it, and the condensing zone where it is cooled to a temperature below the temperature of the vaporous solvent.

Abstract: The procedure to prevent the formation of condensation on tools that are heated in use and are cooled by a circulated coolant is particularly relevant to plastic moulding machines. To avoid the build-up of condensation from dampness on the cooled tools a dry air veil, as herein laid down, is produced by direct blowing-on of the tools, through which the cooling water temperature of the circulated coolant in the tools can be further reduced making shorter work cycles possible. By use of a special control equipment, the dew point on the tool surface is picked up which regulates the cooling water temperature accordingly.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is an equipment provided with a fabric deodorization loop and a fabric cooling loop, both of which are connected in closed loop to the container into which the fabric is delivered, and an activated charcoal cooling loop, it too being a closed loop, connected to the filters of the deodorization loop.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating any fluidizable solid material having a dioxin contaminant absorbed or adsorbed thereon. The method and apparatus includes heating the fluidizable solids, using hot turbulent gas at a temperature in the range of 850.degree. to 2,500.degree. F. to vaporize and thereby separate the dioxin from the fluidizable solids and to fluidize at least a portion of the solids. The dioxin are then further treated to dispose of the dioxins, such as by condensing the liquid and filtering or decanting them from the condensed water.

Abstract: A dryer for plastic granules with a fan for air, with a drying chamber containing a regenerable desiccant, with a collecting duct connectable to the drying chamber for the drying air, with an air heating element in the collecting duct, with a plurality of drying containers connectable to the collecting duct, with a return duct from the drying containers to an inlet duct of the fan, with a first reversing valve, which connects in a first switching position the drying chamber with the collecting duct, and in a second switching position the drying chamber with the atmosphere, and with a second reversing valve, which connects in a first switching position the inlet duct of the fan to the return duct and in a second switching position the inlet duct to the atmosphere. One object is the reliable and synchronous reversing of the two reversing valves. Another object shall enable the coupling of further groups of drying container to one drying chamber. The two reversing valves are arranged in a common valve housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing moisture from a drying gas serving for the drying of solids, in particular granular plastics (10), which gas is dried in an adsorption drying agent after passing through the substance, then heated and finally conducted again through the substance to be dried. A first bed (32a) of drying agent in which the drying agent is utilized until complete saturation is connected in series with a following second bed (32b) of drying agent in which the drying agent is utilized only up to partial saturation. Behind the second bed (32b) of drying agent, a partial stream of the drying gas is conducted through a third bed (32c) of drying agent which has been regenerated in the meantime, while the other partial stream is conducted into the drying container 12, bypassing the third bed (32c) of drying agent. A fourth bed (32d) of drying agent is regenerated in each case. The four beds of drying agent can be exchanged for each other.

Abstract: The hot air dryer for plastic materials is disclosed. Three desiccant cartridges are carried on a rotatable turret and each cartridge is indexed successively from a process air station to a regeneration station and then to a cool down station. At each station, the cartridges are clamped between sets of upper and lower conduit fittings to provide a closed air flow path. A clamp spring acts on a lower conduit carrier to raise the cartridges against the set of upper conduit fittings to a clamped or closed position. The clamping actuator including a motor driven lead screw acts on the carrier to retract it against the resistance of the clamp spring to lower the turret and hence the cartridges away from the set of upper fittings to a stop position and the carrier is further retracted to separate the set of lower conduit fittings from the lower end of the cartridges thereby opening the clamp and the air flow path through the cartridges.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for drying granular solids. A heated gas stream is directed through the volume of solids followed by a cooling gas stream. The method varies from conventional drying techniques by the alteration of the timing of the introduction of the cooling stream and by the use of sensible heat contained in the solids to supply heat of vaporization. The method yields improved energy efficiency and shorter drying times. The apparatus exhibits improved efficiency in carrying out the method of the invention than is possible using conventional equipment.

Abstract: An energy efficient dryer for solid foods with moist interiors uses both thermal convective and microwave drying processes. The dryer will run on a fuel such as natural gas alone, and requires no input of electricity because it utilizes a single prime mover to produce both thermal energy and electrical energy, such as an internal combustion engine, which both provides heat for convective drying, and drives a generator which produces electricity for conversion to microwave power. Moist food is fed by an air pervious belt or other means through a first zone in which it is dried by thermal convection, and then through a second zone in which it is dried by microwave radiation.

Abstract: Drying air to be circulated for drying plastic material is demoistured and heated by one of two separate adsorbing treatment units. When one of the two units is engaged in adsorbing treatment of the drying air, the other unit engages in a desorbing treatment and cooling treatment for regenerating the adsorbent by the use of desorbing high temperature air passing through the unit in a direction reverse to that in which the drying air is passed through the unit. The cooling treatment of the adsorbent after the desorbing treatment is accomplished by the use of a part of the drying air.

Abstract: A drying tower for a compressed air drier includes a base (5) and a reservoir (4) containing a cartridge (8) filled with filter material (12) and desiccant (11).In order to obtain an optimal utilization of the desiccant and of the space the cartridge (8) completely fills the reservoir (4) and is provided with two longitudinal partition walls (13, 14) perpendicular to each other and having two openings (15) at the end remote from the base, so that--aided by suitable shaping of the base--the air will be transported in a winding path consecutively through all four desiccant-filled compartments formed by the walls.

Abstract: An improved hopper drier for drying granular material of synthetic resin to supply it to a molding machine. The hopper drier includes two dehumidifying columns which are arranged such that dry air dehumidified in one of the dehumidifying columns at a lower temperature is delivered to a heating pipe spirally wound round the heating column disposed adjacent to the hopper drier housing. After air is preheated in the heating pipe, it is mixed with waste air coming from the hopper drier housing and the mixture is then heated in the heating column. While the one dehumidifying column is operated under normal working conditions, the other dehumidifying column is supplied with a part of the dehumidified air flowing from the one dehumidifying column so as to dry dehumidifying material held in the other dehumidifying column.

Abstract: Solvent-treated objects are dried in a drying chamber having a drying zone and at least one transfer zone for introducing into and/or removal from the drying zone of the object. The drying zone is created by recirculating drying air at high air flow rate by selectively sucking air from and blowing air into the drying zone and by removing recirculated solvent-carrying air from the drying zone by suction to provide a negative pressure in the drying chamber with greatest negative pressure in the drying chamber in the drying zone. Removed drying air is preferably passed through a solvent recovery carbon filter.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a dry cleaning plant having dry cleaning machines using a liquid solvent comprises a plurality of filter cartridge housings, an adsorber containing a bed of activated carbon pellets, a condenser and a solvent-water separator all mounted on a still housing. Valve-controlled conduits are provided for selectively circulating solvent through filter cartridge in said cartridge housings, draining the filter cartridges, connecting cartridge housings to the adsorber to desorb filter cartridges, supplying steam to cartridge housing to strip filter cartridges of solvent, passing air containing solvent vapor through the adsorber to remove the solvent vapor from the air, supplying steam to the adsorber to desorb the carbon bed and supplying steam to a heating coil in the still to distill solvent.

Abstract: The exhaust air from a bulk material drying hopper is conveyed through a chamber filled with an adsorbing medium and the air is fed back to the drying hopper in a closed circuit. The chamber is regenerated at intervals by a counterflow of drying gas. The frequency of regenerating the chamber is controlled as a function of the temperature of the exhaust air.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for blow drying hair in which the air is dehumidified by passing it through a special housing fitted with a moisture-absorbing filter insert placed ahead of the air which impinges against the hair. A regeneratable drying agent such as aluminum oxide, silica gel, or the like constitutes the moisutre absorbing filter insert. In a preferred embodiment a fan driven by an electric motor sucks the drying air through a slit in a double-walled hood which fits over the hair so that the air sucked through the slit must pass through the filter insert into an inside wall portion of the hood which is perforated and lies next to the hair which is being dried. A holder for the hood is swivelably mounted so that it can be fixed to a wall. Moist air which reaches the outside hood is recirculated to the inside wall and again fed to the filter insert for repeated dehumidification. In this manner at least part, if not all, of the air is dehumidified.

Abstract: Vapor recovery system comprising vapor source, vapor concentrating system and refrigeration condensation system. Method comprises accumulating condensable vapor in vapor accumulator, and subsequently removing vapor from accumulator using carrier gas to provide concentrated carrier gas stream. Vapor in carrier gas is condensed by refrigeration condensation means.

Abstract: In an installation of this type, several chambers divided into groups A, B, C, D, are provided, the several groups of chambers B, C, D are traversed drying medium, while another group of chambers A is e traversed by a gaseous medium for the regeneration of the adsorbent present in this group of chambers. The partial streams of the drying medium have different moisture contents and are used in different phases of a drying process. Continuous switching takes place between the gas streams and the chambers, so that each of the chambers is periodically traversed, at first, successively by all of the partial streams of the drying medium in order of increasing moisture contents, and subsequently, by the gaseous medium to regenerate the adsorbent. Following each switching, at least one of the chambers of each group is assigned to the next following group in the cycle.

Abstract: A pollution control system is disclosed wherein condensable pollutants are removed from a high-temperature gas stream by counterflow contact in a vertical tower with downwardly flowing, relatively cool absorbent oil. The absorbent is at a sufficiently low temperature so as to rapidly condense a portion of the pollutants in order to form a fog of fine droplets of pollutant entrained by the gas stream, which fog is incapable of being absorbed by the absorbent. The remainder of the condensable pollutants is removed by downwardly flowing absorbent oil, and the gas and entrained fog are directed from the tower to gas/droplet separation means, such as an electrostatic precipitator. The fog is thereby separated from the gas and substantially pollutant-free gas is discharged to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A process for dehydrating water-containing organic solid material which comprises steps of introducing the material into a pressure vessel, applying saturated steam to said vessel to heat the material so that water in the material be removed and mixed with condensate of the steam to be exhausted from the vessel as a waste water. The process is characterized by a step of charging material of relatively large particle size at a bottom portion of the vessel and of relatively small particle size on the material of large particle size. The process makes it possible to dehydrate relatively fine particles of material by utilizing liquid form dehydration phenomemon.

Abstract: A hair dryer has first and second air passage desiccant bed ducts with inlets communicating with an inlet air plenum and outlets communicating with an outlet plenum having a restricted dry air outlet. A plurality of longitudinally spaced porous baffles, each containing a water adsorbent desiccant material mounted within each duct. A first movable closure in the inlet plenum in a first position directs air through the first duct for circuitous passage through the baffles to the outlet plenum for delivery of dried air through its air outlet. Opposed exhaust air outlets on the inlet plenum communicate with the inlets of the ducts. One closure of a pair of pivotal outlet closures in a first position normally closes the exhaust outlet at one duct in the inlet plenums the other closure in its first position being normally open and adapted in a second position to close the exhaust outlet at the other duct in the inlet plenum. The closures are interconnected for movement in unison between first and second positions.

Abstract: The exhaust air from a bulk material drying hopper is conveyed through a chamber filled with an absorbing medium and the air is fed back to the drying hopper in a closed circuit. The chamber is regenerated at intervals in a second circuit. The air throughput through the hopper is controlled as a function of the temperature of the exhaust air.

Abstract: A dehumidifying container comprises an inner container having an opening at its upper end, and a bottom portion. The inner container is filled with a dehumidifying agent and has a discharge pipe provided upright at the center of its bottom portion. The discharge pipe has at least one slit in a wall thereof and an open lower end which protrudes downwardly through the bottom portion of the inner container. The inner container is detachably fitted into an outer container in such a manner that a space having a predetermined volume is formed between the respective bottom portions of the inner and outer containers. The dehumidifying agent absorbs moisture from the air and the so formed solution of the agent flows readily through the or each slit in the discharge pipe out through the open lower end of the pipe, and into said space. The upper end of the pipe is also open to assist such flow.

Abstract: The invention is, on the one hand, a method for drying products, especially corn or articles, in the course of which the products to be dried are traversed by a drying gas, the moisture content of the drying gas is diminished by contacting it with a desiccant liquid, and the desiccant liquid is at least partly regenerated after the contact. According to the invention, the drying gas stream flows through at least two layers of products to be dried successively, and before or after flowing through each layer of products it is brought into contact with the desiccant liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for preheating and drying a granulate (43) comprises an inlet (61), a discharge (3a, 3b), a blower (10), air guide pipes (9, 15, 16, 19, 23, 24, 25, 31), a valve (11), and a heater. For creating three air circuits, an adjustable, multiport valve and a reversible blower (10) are provided. In each position, air from the blower passes in two directions through said multiport valve (11). The apparatus comprises a heat accumulator (161). The first circuit dries the granulate (43), the second circuit regenerates a humidity adsorbing material, and the third circuit transports material to the drier. The accumulator (161) preheats air during the regeneration, re-uses accumulated heat from said regeneration during the granulate drying cycle. The multiport valve is adjustable to various positions, gas in each position being directed along two paths through the valve.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for drying products with a gas stream passing the product to extract moisture therefrom and a contacting device producing at least one desiccant liquid layer in the vicinity of the product to be dried, which liquid layer removes moisture from the gas. The gas stream is bubbled through a substantially horizontal liquid layer or can pass between liquid film conducting elements. The desiccant liquid is continuously regenerated. By means of several partial gas streams and a contacting device having more separated liquid film modules, a counter-current type of drying is possible. The product to be dried can be heated to a predetermined temperature by the desiccant liquid through the drying gas stream.

Abstract: In a process for recovering solvents from the circulating air and exhaust air of a drycleaning machine by drying the circulating air and by fresh air drying with condensation and adsorption, the volume of air stream per unit volume is controlled in accordance with temperature and/or solvent concentration and heating and cooling energy reduced to achieve drying and recovery of the cleaning solvent with relatively low expenditure of energy and time.

Abstract: The drying medium (T) is driven through the adsorbent (5) of the adsorption cell (1) in the same direction as the process medium (P). Initially it is ejected through an auxiliary output (19) and a device (26) for removal of dampness and then is changed-over towards a main output (18) and preferably into the workroom (A).

Abstract: A liquid food, a medicine or a natural food to be dried is subjected to vacuum evaporation and drying with a dry gas simultaneously or alternately, and by this drying method, the substance is effectively dried without freezing of the substance. A gas containing volatile components, which is discharged from the drying step, is introduced into an absorption layer and is regenerated to a drying gas while the volatile components of the substance, such as aroma, are recovered in the form of a liquid. In this drying method, the drying process is carried out entirely in a closed circuit system.

Abstract: A gas drying system where the heat energy in the exhaust gas and the dried product is recovered to reduce the energy required to dry additional products.

Abstract: An assembly for removing contaminants from gas, comprising a cylinder having therein a spiral path-forming member, a layer of absorbent fluid, and substantially filled with mass transfer media.

Abstract: In regenerating an adsorbent by eliminating water and an adsorbed matter which are contained therein, the adsorbent is indirectly heated while descending within a drying furnace and is indirectly heated while ascending within a regenerating furnace in order to prevent the adsorbent from scattering due to water vapor and the adsorbed gas separated by the heating of the adsorbent and to prevent the adsorbent from burning itself due to heat.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of desiccants in conjunction with an open oop drying cycle and a closed loop drying cycle to reclaim the energy expended in vaporizing moisture in harvested crops. In the closed loop cycle, the drying air is brought into contact with a desiccant after it exits the crop drying bin. Water vapor in the moist air is absorbed by the desiccant, thus reducing the relative humidity of the air. The air is then heated by the used desiccant and returned to the crop bin. During the open loop drying cycle the used desiccant is heated (either fossil or solar energy heat sources may be used) and regenerated at high temperature, driving water vapor from the desiccant. This water vapor is condensed and used to preheat the dilute (wet) desiccant before heat is added from the external source (fossil or solar). The latent heat of vaporization of the moisture removed from the desiccant is reclaimed in this manner.

Abstract: Apparatus for drying clothes does not require use of gas or electrical energy for generation of heat. A solar collector is used for regeneration of a desiccant, the desiccant being utilized for drying of clothes. A first portion of the solar collector is used to heat ambient temperature air which is used to absorb moisture from a desiccant, flowing in diluted form over a wick in a second portion of the collector. In a third part of the collector the heated air is humidified to a near saturated state. The moist, hot air interacts with water in a condensing heat exchanger, providing at the output thereof both hot water for storage and subsequent other uses and distilled water, along with saturated air at ambient temperature.

Abstract: Zinc coated tubes are cleaned by means of steam, and the zinc residue -- steam mixture is blown into a nozzle which is heated, and discharged into a noise attenuation chamber; the latter discharges into an expansion chamber, which in turn discharges into a filter. The mixture is diluted in the attenuation chamber by air sucked in from the outside along a tortuous path.

Abstract: Arrangement for preparing dry hot compressed air to be supplied to blast furnace, wherein a heat exchanger and a dehydrater assembly comprising a gas permeable regenerative moisture absorbing rotor are arranged in the air passage from blower to hot air furnaces so that the hot compressed air from the blower may be used to heat the dehydrated air and to regenerate the rotor. Air leakage between regenerating and dehydrating zones in the dehydrater is prevented by sealing those clearances where otherwise such leakage would occur by packing elements to form sealed spaces and externally introducing dry pressurized air into each of said spaces.

Abstract: Assembly for dehydrating atmospheric air at the input side of a blower for supplying air to a blast furnace comprising at least one gas permeable rotor containing a regenerative moisture absorbent wherein a hot combustion gas obtained by burning a waste gas from the blast furnace is utilized for regenerating the absorbent and wherein means for regulating the relative humidity of the moist air to be dehydrated, which does not need any external heat source, is provided to avoid deliquescence of the absorbent. The rotor preferably comprises a layer containing the absorbent and a layer of an adsorbent capable of adsorbing impurities contained in the air.

Abstract: A dryer is disclosed, adapted for use mounted on a plastic mold, extruder or the like. A compact rectangularly shaped drying chamber hold a porous drying basket with free air space surrounding the base of the basket to provide quick drying. An air flow system includes a blower, a removable filter and a removable heater. The dryer includes a removable desiccant cartridge and means for signalling cartridge replacement.

Abstract: Fluid handling and dehumidification are combined in a process for drying and compressing wet gas concurrently. Incoming gas is compressed in a liquid seal pump with a liquid which consists essentially of concentrated sulfuric acid. The liquid may be regenerated to maintain a concentration greater than 98% H.sub.2 SO.sub.4. Dry air having a dewpoint of -45.degree. C or less can be obtained for use in industrial processes.

Abstract: An adsorption chamber is included into a conduit which further includes a blower and at least one heating arrangement; check valves are provided in the conduit which operate in dependence on the pressure conditions prevailing in the respective conduit sections. The blower may be operated in two mutually opposite directions, in one direction propelling the medium to be adsorption treated through the adsorption chamber, in the reversed direction propelling a regeneration medium through the adsorption chamber in counterflow. The adsorption chamber may be filled with two different adsorbents capable of adsorbing moisture in different temperature ranges. Thermostats may be provided for controlling the energization of the heating arrangement.