With Waste Gas Heat And/or Power Conservers Patents (Class 34/86)
  • Patent number: 4682990
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: Granges Aluminium Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Per-Olof Kagstrom, Lars Abrahamsson
  • Patent number: 4676007
    Abstract: Heated and humidified air is withdrawn by a blower from the apex of a grain elevator or bin and passed through a heat exchanger to preheat fresh air drawn into the grain elevator or bin. A heater raises the temperature of the preheated fresh air and a further blower forces it into the grain elevator or bin to flow in and about the stored grain to draw moisture therefrom. An auger located at the apex of the grain elevator or bin to transport grain into the grain elevator or bin permits filling of the grain elevator or bin during flow of the drying air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Inventor: Harold M. Good
  • Patent number: 4667416
    Abstract: In a device for drying organic solids of high water content, particularly brown coals, the embodiment is effected in order to simplify the preliminary heating with steam in such a way that the overflow lines (7) with shutoff device end in the vapor space of the attached vessels (8) and dampers (2). The ending of the overflow lines (7) is conveniently shaped as collecting funnel (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hermann Hacker, Pavle Ivanovski, Peter Herber
  • Patent number: 4665628
    Abstract: A clothes dryer operating with a very high volume of air flow across the clothes thereby enabling a high percentage of air recirculation without sacrifice to drying time or efficiency. A cylindrical clothes drum is surrounded by an air tight casing. Radial perforations are formed along the entire cylindrical wall of the drum. Drying air is forced axially into the drum and radially expelled through the perforations. By expelling the air through the total area of all perforations, a high air flow is maintained without increasing exit velocity. The expelled air is drawn back between the drum and casing towards the drum air inlet. Over 80% of the expelled air is recirculated back into the drum resulting in expelled air having a high water vapor content. Consequently, the energy per pound of exhaust air is increased sufficiently to heat water for direct use in washing machines. In another embodiment, the high air flow is used to advantage with a lower percentage of recirculation to achieve reduced drying time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Lawrence G. Clawson
  • Patent number: 4663860
    Abstract: A vertical progressive lumber dryer has a plurality of vertically spaced functional zones through which lumber formed into units pass. Each unit rests atop a base and each layer of boards in the stack is separated by sticker means. Predetermined appropriate operating conditions are selected for the drying medium as well as other parts of the process. After a car has completed the last step within the dryer, it is removed and the dryed lumber sent for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventor: Frank C. Beall
  • Patent number: 4662083
    Abstract: First and second ported ducts are associated with a drying chamber. A flow control housing has first and second compartments communicating respectively with the first and second ducts. These compartments also have openings which communicate with atmosphere. A fan is employed which draws air from the drying chamber into one of the ducts and through one of the compartments to atmosphere. At the same time a fan on a common shaft draws in make-up air from the atmosphere and forces it through the other of the compartments and into the other duct for discharge into the dryer. The fans are reversible, and the flow control housing is combined with a double acting heat exchanger which extracts heat from exhaust air in one compartment and transfers it to the other compartment for preheating make-up air. A damper is provided in the flow control housing on the atmosphere side thereof for precise control of exhaust and make-up air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Inventors: John L. Carter, Michael M. Sprague
  • Patent number: 4659579
    Abstract: Moist vegetables (2) undergo at least one pressing operation (3) and are introduced into a drier (9) of which the heater elements are fed with vapor recompressed by a compressor unit (20). The juice (4) from the last pressing operation acts as the cold fluid in an evaporator (5) of which the tube stack is fed by the mixture of air and vapor (10) issuing from the moist vegetables being dried. The vapor (6) produced by the evaporator (5) feeds the compressor unit (20). The concentrated juice (7) is used to re-steep the moist vegetables (2) before they enter the pressing zone (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Beghin-Say S.A.
    Inventor: Jacques Cuel
  • Patent number: 4653198
    Abstract: A plant for heat treating animal or vegetable material comprises apparatuses for two-stage or multi-stage heat treatment. A heat medium which is used in a second heat treatment apparatus (2), which follows a first heat treatment apparatus (1), consists of uncontaminated water/steam which is circulated in a closed circuit, that is to say separated from the heat medium of the first apparatus and from the treatment material of the second apparatus. The closed circuit extends from heat exchanger surfaces, which are supplied with heat energy from exhaust gas/exhaust steam from the first apparatus (1), via heat surfaces of the second apparatus (2) back to said heat exchanger surfaces. The closed circuit includes one or more steam compressor(s) (17) in order to bring in a manner known per se the heat medium of the circuit up to the process steam pressure before it is supplied to the heat surfaces of the second apparatus (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Stord Bartz A/S
    Inventor: Jon Alsaker
  • Patent number: 4646447
    Abstract: A process and a plant for continuously drying products with the use of increasing temperatures towards the end of the drying process, the drying process using the so-called multiple transverse stirring. There is admitted in the zone of completion of the drying process a first air flow (4), the additional or major air flow being admitted in a zone (5) where the product has lost most of its moisture content, the first air flow being heated at 8(III) to a high temperature, the additional air flow (5) being heated to a mean temperature (11) and the entire air flow being subjected to heat inputs 8(I) at a mean temperature derived from at least one heat pump (13) The invention reduces the heat input required for such a process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Inventor: Arachin Aznavorian
  • Patent number: 4644666
    Abstract: In the method for drying moist agricultural products, the relative humidity of fresh air inducted from the environment is reduced by heating it so that the fresh air can take up moisture from the products to be dried. A portion of the thermal energy contained in the moist exhaust air is extracted by the evaporator of a heat pump before the moist exhaust air exits to the environment. At temperature below 10.degree. C. a portion of the moist exhaust air is mixed with the cold fresh air before being heated by the condenser of the heat pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Getag AG
    Inventors: Heini Eberle, Josef Huber
  • Patent number: 4644664
    Abstract: The invention provides both a method and apparatus for drying moisture-containing materials, in which the material is dried in a drying chamber. A heat exchanger is provided in the drying chamber, and while air is prevented from entering the chamber, vapor or gas given off by the material is extracted from the chamber, at least some of that vapor or gas is compressed, and the compressed vapor or gas is passed through the heat exchanger, so that at least part of the latent heat of evaporation of the vapor or gas at the increased pressure is used to create the necessary temperature gradient between the heat exchanger and the atmosphere within the drying chamber, to cause the heat emission required for drying the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Inventor: William Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 4642904
    Abstract: An aqueous clay slurry 7 is partially dewatered by filtration to remove a first portion of water therefrom which is collected as the filtrate 71. The partially dewatered clay slurry 9 is then contacted with a hot drying gas 25 in a spray dryer 20 to remove an additional water therefrom which is entrained as water vapor in the drying gas 27 exhausted from the spray dryer. The drying gas 27 exhausted from the spray dryer 20 is contacted in a cooling tower 40 with cooling liquid 59 to cause at least a portion of the water vapor evaporated from the aqueous slurry to condense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Georgia Krolin Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4640344
    Abstract: A rotary, Perkins tube heat exchanger for processing hot contaminated gas flows emanating from appliances such as laundry driers, grain driers and the like. The case of the heat exchanger is located relative to the rotor so as to lie in the gas flow boundary layer established by the latter. The case is provided with a boundary layer purge port in the hot gas chamber. An airfoil extends inwardly from the case into the gas flow boundary layer. It causes increased local turbulance in the boundary layer gas. It also diverts a predetermined proportion of the boundary layer gas and its burden of contamination products out through the purge port. The boundary layer airflow cleans both the interior of the case and the rotor, even through the rotor is characterized by the presence of a multiplicity of small openings. The device thus is rendered self-cleaning and may be operated for extended periods of time without buildup of contaminants within the heat exchanger case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Manco Corporation
    Inventor: Milton F. Pravda
  • Patent number: 4635380
    Abstract: A continuous process for heat treating flowable materials having liquids thereon and apparatus wherein a first portion of adhering liquid is vaporized in a pre-desolventizer (PDS) consisting of at least one horizontal steam jacketed conveyor tube (60-63), the vaporized vapors of the liquid being directly discharged into a desolventizer (DS) consisting of a vertical chamber being divided into a certain number of compartments (70-73), live steam is introduced into the lowermost compartment (73) to vaporize the remaining portion of liquid adhering on the material and the combined vapors of liquid collected in the upper section of the desolventizer (DS) are discharged into a condenser (91) where a dust-free liquid is recovered. The desolventizer (DS) may also be used as a combined desolventizer-toaster-dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Crown Iron Works Company
    Inventor: George E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4625432
    Abstract: Apparatus for the drying and sterilizing of fabrics, the apparatus comprising a drier cabinet provided with means for suspending therein fabric articles, and with means for generating, distributing and circulating warm air for drying purposes and hot air for the sterilization of the fabric articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Inventor: Hans Baltes
  • Patent number: 4622760
    Abstract: In the desolventizing of solvent-containing residues which are obtained in the extraction from vegetable, oil and fat-bearing raw materials with organic solvents and from which the so-called miscella containing oil and/or fat has been separated, the desolventization proper by direct action of a desolventizing agent, particularly steam, is relieved by interposing before the desolventization proper a pre-desolventization with indirect heat transfer, particularly indirect steam heating, and thereby the energy input of the entire system is reduced considerably.Moreover, the drying and cooling of the now solvent-free residue, which follows the desolventizing, can take place in a single, combined stage, whereby further relief of the volume of apparatus as well as the energy input is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Inventor: Heinz O. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 4622757
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Energy International, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Bernstein, Kenji Ushimaru
  • Patent number: 4622761
    Abstract: A drying apparatus for sheets of material. The apparatus includes a drying chamber through which a sheet of material which is to be dried is conveyed, and in which the sheet of material is contacted by flowing drying gas. The apparatus also includes a feed line for supplying drying gas to the apparatus, a heater for heating the drying gas, and a withdrawal line for withdrawing the drying gas from the apparatus. The drying chamber includes cup-shaped and rounded-off wall elements which are easily detachably connected to one another. The wall elements have a smooth inner surface. A jacket is disposed around the drying chamber. An intermediate space is defined between the inner surface of the jacket and the outer surface of the wall elements of the drying chamber. Drying gas is introduced through the feed line into the intermediate space. After this drying gas has been heated in the heater, it flows through the drying chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Lohmann GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Peter Barth
  • Patent number: 4621437
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of drying a solid wetted with a solvent or solvent mixture by causing superheated vapour of the solvent or solvent mixture as a carrier medium to flow through the material to be dried in an evaporation room, the solvent or solvent mixture evaporating and being carried along with the carrier medium, and by then causing the evaporated solvent or solvent mixture to condense from the carrier medium, if desired after compression thereof, in a cooling device. During this drying process a sub-ambient pressure is provided in the evaporation room and the temperature in the evaporation room is controlled by adjusting the sub-ambient pressure, if desired, in combination with an additional temperature controlling means. The inventiona also relates to a device for using the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignees: Duphar International Research B.V., Glatt GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Grande, Cornelis J. de Kluizenaar, Dietmar C. Naunapper, Karlheinz J. Wehrle
  • Patent number: 4615867
    Abstract: Apparatus for cooking-dehydration and sterilization-drying of organic wastes, comprises a chamber (1) heated by a double walled enclosure (2) that communicates with fire tubes (3), the enclosure (2) receiving hot gases from a firebox (4). The hot gases pass through conduits (5) to diffusion nozzles (6) immersed in the products (7) to be dried. Some of the combustion gases are recycled by a ventilator (8) via a conduit (9) and a cyclone (10) to the firebox (4). The ventilator (8) draws in fresh air through a preheating heat exchanger (11) that is heated by the combustion gases which are then vented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: K. Systeme S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Emile A. Heckmann
  • Patent number: 4603489
    Abstract: A dryer includes a rotating drum having an inlet and an outlet. A blower withdraws air from the outlet. A heat pump has an evaporator and condenser interconnected by a compressor and an expansion valve. The outlet of the condenser is connected to the inlet of the rotating drum. The water collection tray drains into a sump having a sump pump. In a closed loop form the outlet of the rotating drum is coupled to the inlet of the evaporator and is thermally coupled to a wet air heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Inventor: Michael Goldberg
  • Patent number: 4599814
    Abstract: In the case of common trough mangles (1) used for the smoothing and drying of wet laundry pieces (11) wherein the hollow rollers (2) provided with roller wrappings (3) are only partially surrounded by heated pressing troughs (4, 5), a considerable amount of energy is wasted due to the absorption of cooler room air. In order to eliminate the cause of this deficiency, the invention proposes to cover the free area of the hollow roller (2) with a hood (6), whose rims (9) are sealed against the roller wrapping (3). The exhaust (8) of the steam is removed directly from the hood (6). This way, inside the hood (6) clean saturated steam is obtained and superheated, when the absorption from the hood (6) takes place in counterflow with regard to the travel of the laundry pieces (11). This superheated saturated steam is especially suitable as operating means for washing machines or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Assignee: Kleindienst GmbH
    Inventor: Friedrich Geiger
  • Patent number: 4590686
    Abstract: Drying plant for liquid and paste products is equipped with a drier comprising an outer jacket, a cylinder within the jacket and a space between the jacket and the cylinder constituting a heating chamber. The internal cylinder of the drier is rotatable relative to the jacket around a horizontal axis; the drier comprises means for feeding products to be dried into the cylinder and for spreading these products over the inside wall of said cylinder so as to coat the latter with them, means for separating the dried products from said inside wall, means for evacuating the dried products from inside the cylinder and an outlet for the moisture produced by drying the products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: Electricite de France Service National
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Massot
  • Patent number: 4581829
    Abstract: A method and system for recapturing and utilizing low grade energy in the form of low pressure vapors generated in an industrial evaporation process. A prime mover drives a screw compressor and concurrently provides heat at several levels which is utilized in a staged evaporation system in accordance with the requirements of the stages of the system. The screw compressor recompresses the contaminated vapors to a pressure and temperature sufficient to evaporate the major fraction of moisture to be removed in the industrial evaporation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Frederick E. Becker, Alexandra I. Zakak
  • Patent number: 4582481
    Abstract: The moist ores are dried in direct contact with hot dry tail gas from a contact process plant for producing sulfuric acid. The dried ores are roasted, the SO.sub.2 -containing gases produced by the roasting are processed in the contact process plant to produce sulfuric acid, and the tail gases from the contact process plant are heated up with surplus heat from the contact process plant. These heated tail gases are used to dry the moist ores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Metallgesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Dorr, Ulrich Sander, Alfons Schulte, Heinrich Traulsen
  • Patent number: 4570357
    Abstract: This invention relates to a heat-treating process and its apparatus in reducing air pressure within a chamber, in which the outer air introduced into the chamber from the outside thereof is heat-exchanged with heated air within the chamber by actuating a heat-exchange means disposed in the airtight chamber and converted into the heated air, thereby the articles incorporated in the chamber may be heat-treated or dried effectively with no energy loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Kuboyama
  • Patent number: 4551093
    Abstract: A solid stick composition, in a container, is moved through a protective tunnel wherein the stick is cooled to effect solidification, remelted to fill any void in the stick, cooled to solidify, and polished, by heating and cooling, with filtered air flowing through the tunnel to remove heat therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Carter-Wallace Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick P. Sisbarro
  • Patent number: 4536969
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the dehydration of low rank coal, such as lignite, utilizing hot water. Particles of low rank coal are preheated, entrained in liquid, fed to a high pressure feeder, and transferred into a high pressure loop leading to a heat exchange vessel, and at a pressure of about 500-1,000 psi. Particles discharged from the bottom of the heat exchange vessel pass to the top of a dehydration vessel. Water at a temperature (e.g. 250.degree.-260.degree. C. at 700 psi) sufficient to facilitate dehydration of the coal is fed to the bottom of the heat exchange vessel, and to the particles as they pass from the heat exchange vessel to the dehydration vessel. For particles withdrawn from the bottom of the dehydration vessel the pressure is gradually reduced so that they do not explode, and then the liquid and particles are separated while still at a temperature of about 180.degree.-200.degree. F. utilizing a vibrating dewatering screen, Vortex sieve, and vibratory centrifuge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Kamyr, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael I. Sherman
  • Patent number: 4536970
    Abstract: A procedure for boosting the ventilation in drying sections of paper machines provided with a closed hood (1). In the procedure, air is blown on such surfaces which are susceptible to condensate precipitation. Air jets (F.sub.1,F.sub.2) are blown mainly obliquely downward through air ducts (11A,11B) disposed adjacent to both side walls (7A,7B) of the hood (1), above all towards the inner surfaces of the door, hatch and/or window structures (12A,12B,16,17) in association with the lower part of the walls (7A,7B) of the hood (1). The blowing air is taken to the air ducts (11A,11B) from the air within the hood (1) or as a mixture of air within the hood (1) and of dry replacement air. For air ducts (11A,11B) are used horizontal air ducts (11A,11B) extending the length of the hood (1) and on which have been disposed blowing nozzles (8A,8B), of which the blowing direction is obliquely towards the inner surfaces of doors (12A,12B) or equivalent of the hood (1) adjacent to them or below them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Valmet Oy
    Inventor: Pekka Eskelinen
  • Patent number: 4534118
    Abstract: The cost of preserving and transporting food is minimized, to the end that food may be made more widely available. A trailer, movable by a small vehicle, houses a completely self-contained food dehydration plant which can be towed to the field in order to preserve the food as soon as it is harvested. The plant dehydrates by blowing a stream of hot air over the food. In order to conserve energy, the air is preheated both in a solar collector (by sunlight) and in a heat exchanger (by exhaust air). Some air used for dehydration is not exhausted but instead is recirculated through the plant, further contributing to efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: Sun-Flo International, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcello M. Cabus, Billy D. Howard, James W. Colt, Edward S. Tuft
  • Patent number: 4532721
    Abstract: A textile dryer heat recovery system includes a textile dryer and a heat exchanger. A duct is provided for directing dryer exhaust gas to the heat exchanger for preheating dryer input air. A cleaning system within the heat exchanger removes dryer exhaust gas contaminants deposited in the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: MKF Energy Conservation Company
    Inventor: James S. Gordon
  • Patent number: 4531304
    Abstract: A method of producing concrete articles comprises reclaiming a portion of the heat energy from the kiln atmosphere during the curing of the concrete articles, and then utilizing the reclaimed heat energy to pre-heat mixing water used to form other concrete articles, or to add to boiler feed water used to generate low pressure steam, or both. In the case where two or more kilns are operated simultaneously at staggered curing cycles, the high temperature kiln atmosphere from the kiln undergoing cool down is intermixed with the low temperature kiln atmosphere from the kiln undergoing heat up thereby reclaiming heat energy from one kiln and using it in the other kiln thereby reducing the total energy consumption required for curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: Besser Company
    Inventors: Billy J. Wauhop, Jr., Willard W. Stratz
  • Patent number: 4530170
    Abstract: A vent adaptor is disclosed which is suitable for attaching to the end of a dryer vent to connect the dryer vent to the building exterior through an existing wall opening. The vent adaptor includes a T-shaped hollow fitting which is fabricated with a vertical connector leg attachable to the end of the dryer vent and an intercommunicating hollow, horizontal conduit. The horizontal conduit includes a forward, insulating branch which forwardly terminates in a transition piece for frictional engagement within the building wall and a horizontally juxtaposed, rearwardly positioned storage branch in communication therewith. An insulating plug is reciprocal within the conduit from a storage position within the storage branch to an insulating position within the building opening whereby the building opening can be plugged when the dryer is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Inventor: Morris J. Green
  • Patent number: 4528761
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying and/or pre-heating in particular scrap metal with the aid of waste gases deriving from an electric arc furnace. The waste-gases are passed from the electric arc furnace through a line (1,2,3) which is arranged between an external, outwardly insulated container (6) and an inner container (4) for accommodating the scrap metal, with a gap (7,8) located between the waste-gas line and the containers. Air is drawn in through the gap (7,8) and absorbs heat from the wall (3) of the waste-gas line, whereafter the heated air is caused to pass through the scrap (5) in the inner container (4) and to deliver heat to the scrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Allmanna Ingenjorsbyr.ang.n AB
    Inventor: Martti Kolhi
  • Patent number: 4523388
    Abstract: Method for drying damp material by vapor recompression. The vapor (8) released by the damp material (4) circulating on the heating elements (2) of a vertical dryer is recompressed by means of a motor-compressor (9) so as to provide the heat-conveying fluid to the heating elements (2) of the dryer. Application to the drying of damp vegetables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Beghin-Say S.A.
    Inventor: Jacques Cuel
  • Patent number: 4509273
    Abstract: A drying attachment for use with a combine (10) for harvesting grain is disclosed and claimed. The attachment includes a distributor receptacle (18) in which the shelled corn or other grain is received after being separated from cobs, husks, and other residue material. After being received in the receptacle (18), it is transferred through a plurality of drying tubes (20) to a storage bin (19). The residue material is burned in a furnace (22) which is carried by the combine (10). The heat thereby generated is conducted to the drying tubes (20) wherein moisture is absorbed from the grain passing through the tubes (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Inventor: David Roisen
  • Patent number: 4505211
    Abstract: Method for drying aqueous solid fuels, in which method the fuel is heated indirectly in a dryer by means of a heating medium heated in a boiler plant or the like and in which the steam formed in the dryer serves as a heating and transport medium. Oil or some other liquid having a boiling point higher than water is used as the indirect heating medium. Preferably oil is heated in the boiler plant up to the temperature of 300.degree. to 400.degree. C. at a 1 bar pressure. Heat surfaces of a lamella heat exchanger suitably serves as the heat transfer surfaces of the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: A. Ahlstrom Osakeyhtio
    Inventor: Charles-Louis V. Lamare
  • Patent number: 4501318
    Abstract: Heat recovery and replacement air preheating apparatus for use in industrial heat treating processes is disclosed as including at least a pair of thermal recovery and storage units, B, C wherein each storage unit contains a plurality of heat exchange elements 32, 33 which operate as heat sponges to pick up heat from exhausts as it leaves the dryer and subsequently to put that heat into entering replacement air whereby the cost in elevating the replacement air is greatly reduced. A control valve D, 62 connected between the two thermal storage units cycles the reverse exhaust and replacement air flows alternately through the thermal storage units in a manner that a substantial amount of exhaust heat is stored and transferred to the replacement air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Inventor: William H. Hebrank
  • Patent number: 4499911
    Abstract: Significant amounts of heat energy, otherwise wasted in the curing and drying systems previously known, are recovered and recycled in the multi-chamber system of the present invention to thereby significantly increase efficiency and reduce fuel requirements. Tobacco or other moisture containing material is cured and dried in batches in a plurality of individual chambers, with each chamber having suitable controls for individually controlling the temperature and humidity conditions of the curing air which is circulated through the chamber. Means and methods are disclosed for recovering and recycling the heat content of the heated exhaust air from the respective chambers, for using solar energy for further heating the air, and for recovering and recycling the heat energy of the batch of material as it is cooled down at the end of the curing and drying cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Inventor: William H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4498247
    Abstract: As a construction improvement to the commonly used device that typically is attached to the hose of a "hot air" clothes dryer to assist in indoor venting of the hot air, the within hose-attached device has a conical shape projecting into the path of the incoming hot air which, after being impinged upon, deflects the hot air along angular paths which significantly increases the volume of the hot air which is effectively discharged through the exit openings of the device, and to this extent the within device thus correspondingly diminishes the volume of hot air which otherwise back flows through the hose and adversely effects the operation of the clothes dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Lambro Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Benevento
  • Patent number: 4492042
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for drying coking coals to be charged in coke ovens utilizing a heating medium which recovers the sensible heat contained in the gas generated in the coke ovens as a heating source for drying coking coals to a desired moisture content. Chiefly based on the moisture of coking coals before drying, the flow rate of the heat medium to the coke dryer is controlled or a hot blast generated in a separate heating system is used for the drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Norio Otabe, Yoshiaki Shimakawa, Hiroshi Uematsu
  • Patent number: 4490924
    Abstract: Method of and apparatus for use in drying materials in a dryer through which the material is conveyed and there subjected to heat which decreases from a maximum adjacent the infeed end of the dryer to a minimum adjacent the outfeed end thereof. A controlled small volume of air is forced towards the infeed end of the dryer from the outfeed end thereof and is repeatedly brought in contact with the conveyed material substantially without added air and with the percentage of moisture carried thereby increasing until, adjacent the infeed end, a high level of sensible heat is available to effect the heating of the material and the removal of its moisture which is carried through a heat exchanger in the exhaust. The heat is recovered from the moisture laden exhaust by the heat exchanger in a manner enabling the temperature of the air when exhausted, to be at a wanted level and the recovered heat used to increase drying efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: C. G. Sargent's Sons Corporation
    Inventor: Robert D. Lambert
  • Patent number: 4488362
    Abstract: A capacitive high-frequency drying system for drying moisture-containing material in which hot air is passed through the high-frequency oven is disclosed. For better energy utilization, the air is preheated by the waste heat of the high-frequency generator, and is conducted, after passing through the oven, through a heat exchanger for heating water for utility or industrial purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans-Christian Grassmann
  • Patent number: 4488364
    Abstract: A self-contained heat recovery system for residential and commercial laundry dryers combines the principles of regenerative heat recovery with utilization of the dryer's existing drive apparatus to accomplish operation of the heat recovery system. The invention includes a rotary regenerative heat exchanger designed to permit planar adjustment of its surface; peripheral and airstream isolation seals to prevent loss of heat exchanger thermal effectiveness; apparatus for transmitting rotational forces from the laundry dryer tumbler to the rotary heat exchanger; cabinetry to function as a means of attaching the heat recovery system to the laundry dryer, as well as to provide airflow plenum chambers adjacent to the rotary heat exchanger to utilize existing airflow capabilities of the laundry dryer; cabinetry to further serve as structural support for rotary heat exchanger and its associated power transmission components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Inventor: Ben B. Herschel
  • Patent number: 4481722
    Abstract: A system for drying a wet web of fibrous material carried through a rotary dryer on an air pervious support, without damage to the rotary dryer or the air pervious support in the event of an upset to the system comprising in combination (1) heater means for producing hot air; (2) a dryer unit, (3) an air mixer or heat exchanger for providing hot air at the desired temperature to the input section of the dryer; (4) recycle means for carrying air exiting the air output section of the dryer unit to the air mixer or heat exchanger; (5) a first line for carrying the hot air from the heater means to the air mixer or heat exchanger; (6) a first normally open damper means on the first line; (7) a second line for venting hot air away from the system; and (8) a second normally closed damper means on the second line, wherein when an upset in the system occurs, the hot air produced by the heater means and normally carried to the air mixer or heat exchanger is vented away from the system by opening the second normally clo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Fredrick A. Guy, Robert S. Ball
  • Patent number: 4475294
    Abstract: An energy efficient method of drying and curing insulation on wire, especially magnet wire, is disclosed. Heated gases are used separately to dry and cure a curable insulating coating such as a phenolic resin. Gases exhausted from the drying and curing operations and containing volatile combustible materials evolved from the drying and curing of the coating, is passed to a heat exchanger where they pick up heat from the exhaust gases of a fume burner. The hot gases are then passed to the fume burner where the combustible materials are burned to add heat of combustion to the gas stream, which is then cycled back as the fume burner exhaust through the heat exchanger, mixed with air, and passed to the drying section of the wire oven. This recapture of the heat from the combustion provides the heat needed for drying of the coating, thus maximizing the energy efficiency of the process. Apparatus to perform the process is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Inventor: Charles G. Henricks
  • Patent number: 4457087
    Abstract: A method for operating a steam trough mangle wherein exhaust air is separated into recirculating air and discharge air with the recirculating air remaining in the air circulation system of the mangle while the discharge air is subjected to a heat transfer process. The recirculating air and fresh air heated by the discharge air are both fed to a trough area of the mangle. The mangle or hot bed ironer in which this method may be carried out includes an air discharging apparatus inside a mangle area that is almost completely enclosed which is connected with a suctioning apparatus for exhausting air and also with the first flow chamber of associated heat transfer means. The heat transfer means has a second flow chamber connected to the suctioning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Assignee: VEB Kombinat Textima
    Inventors: Christian Wolff, Gerhard Lippold
  • Patent number: 4446631
    Abstract: In a continuous flow vertical grain dryer, heated air is supplied into a closed top plenum through means of a stack opening upwardly therein, and fresh air is supplied to the stack from as nearly as practicable fines-free ambient atmosphere by receiving the fresh air from a relatively fines-free ambient atmosphere zone, e.g., above the discharge from the vertical pervious wall of the dryer of spent grain-drying air. Efficient heat transfer and preheating of the fresh air by association of a fresh air duct with the stack is provided for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: Meyer Morton Company
    Inventors: Elmo L. Batterton, Melvin J. Lonsdale
  • Patent number: 4434564
    Abstract: A heat recovery device is adapted for placement in the heat exhaust vent pipe of a conventional clothes dryer. The device includes a scrubber for primary removal of lint from the dryer exhaust and a final filter means for removing small particles of lint remaining prior to allowing the warm, humid dryer exhaust air to pass into the atmosphere of the interior environment of a home. The scrubber includes a series of ducts opening into an enlarged plenum and a baffle plate in the plenum to inhibit streamlined flow of air allowing the lint to settle to the bottom of the plenum, and the final filter includes a series of expanded aluminum screens or mesh for positively prohibiting passage of lint into the atmosphere. A clean-out tray is provided at the bottom of the plenum to facilitate removal of lint from the plenum for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Inventor: John C. Braggins, Jr.
  • Patent number: RE31562
    Abstract: A heating vent is disclosed in which A T-shaped housing of light weight sheet metal is inserted in the plastic vent hose of an electric clothes dryer to provide passages through which the dryer is vented either outdoors through the vent hose or indoors through a sock-like filter having its open end stretched over the lateral outlet of the housing according to whether a pivoted valve member in the housing is in its summer or winter position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: Bede Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Bede