Abstract: The invention relates to a method for burning fine-grain material, particularly for the manufacture of cement clinker from cement raw meal. The material is thermally treated in a multi-stage burning process with a pre-heating stage, a calcining stage with a high-degree of calcination, a sintering stage in a very short rotary kiln and a cooling stage. Fuel is introduced both into the sintering stage in the short rotary kiln as well as into the calcinating stage. Hot exhaust air from the cooling stage is supplied both to the sintering stage as well as to the calcining stage as furnace air. The invention also relates to an apparatus for the manufacture of mineral products of the burning process such as cement clinker.

Abstract: An improved fruit drying system particularly suited for large scale commercial drying application is disclosed, comprising a plurality of substantially rigid transparent hoods, each sized to be positioned over the fruit to be dried to increase the drying effect of solar radiation and including vent means for providing convectional air flow across the fruit during the drying process. The hoods are adapted to be arranged in a side by side orientation directly within the growing field and be rapidly interlocked to one another whereby a composite hood assembly is yielded. The hood assembly forms an effective shroud over the fruit which prevents exposure of the fruit to moisture and/or animal predators during the drying process.

Abstract: A solar heated grain drying system including a grain bin with a perforated floor and a solar collector for supplying heated air to the bin. The solar collector includes a plurality of elongate collector pipes, such as irrigation pipes, disposed in spaced side-by-side relation and a manifold connected between the pipes and the bin. Each pipe includes an inlet end receiving air from ambience and an outlet end connected to the intake portion of the manifold. A manifold intermediate portion connects the intake portion of the manifold to an exhaust portion. A duct connects the manifold exhaust portion to the grain bin and a fan is used for transferring air from the manifold exhaust portion through the duct and the perforated floor and through the grain. The manifold intermediate portion includes converging side walls to provide air flow through the manifold in a direction having a component in the same direction as the flow of air through the pipes.

Abstract: A portable solar heating panel adapted for use in drying grain in the season thereof and for use for heating buildings or like heating purposes in the off season, is made of a double-glazed window spaced from an imperforate accumulator plate providing a dead air space which, in turn, is spaced from an insulating wall providing a circulating air space, characterized by the fact that all of the air to be heated is in heat-exchange with the rear surface only of the accumulator plate and by the fact that circulating air never comes into contact with the rear surface of the window.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method are provided for drying or otherwise processing fish. The apparatus includes a generally prone or slightly sloped frame having an upper perforated bed or flake and a lower pair of parallel tracks or rails. An upright framework is disposed at one end of the frame and is adapted to run along the tracks or rails from that one end to the opposite end. A roller mechanism including a round or polygonal roller is rotatably and preferably removably mounted in the upright framework. A mesh material is secured at one end to the roller mechanism and is extended along the flake and is secured to the opposite end of the frame. Means are provided for simultaneously moving the upright framework along the rails from the one end of the frame to the opposite end of the frame while winding the mesh material on the roller mechanism.

Abstract: A portable, lightweight and compact food dryer. The invention comprises a collapsing frame and tiers of lightweight trays enclosed by a net housing and covered by a heat absorbing roof. The collapsing frame includes a metal hook protruding vertically out of the roof, a metal collar providing support for the net housing, and several support straps. The support straps attach to the shank of the hook at the apex of the roof, thereafter passing out over the metal collar and vertically down inside the net housing. Preferably, all but the last tray attach at regular intervals to the vertical straps. The last tray preferably rests on the base of the net housing.In use, the food dryer may be suspended wherever deemed most convenient. A zipper in the net housing allows easy access to the trays which may be removed and cleaned whenever desired. When not in use, the dryer is readily collapsed for convenient storage.

Abstract: An enclosure for drying and storing grain or crops utilizing solar energy wherein an entire structural side (wall or roof) is of transparent material. An inner wall is positioned adjacent the transparent wall and an absorbent material is positioned intermediate the transparent and inner wall. The inner and outer walls form a duct for the passage of air past the absorbent material. The heated air is directed to a plenum/manifold which in turn is connected to a tubing having a multiplicity of perforations (ports) therein. The tubing extends back and forth in an array over the entire floor of the enclosure. The air passing upwardly through the ports in the tubing array provides a uniform distribution of heated air to the crops placed in the enclosure.

Abstract: An air inlet construction for a domestic clothes dryer and including a pair of selectively usable air inlet ports. One of the air inlet ports opens outwardly to the area immediately adjacent and exterior of the dryer and the other inlet port opens into the interior of a non-domestically heated portion of the building in which the dryer is disposed, but which portion is subject to being heated by solar energy during the daylight hours.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting apparatus which is integrally incorporated into a conventional building structure so that it does not protrude from the normal contour of the building, and which utilizes components of the building structure as a part of the collecting apparatus to thereby minimize the cost thereof. The collecting apparatus includes solar energy absorptive panels which are adapted to be mounted between the conventional support members in the wall or roof of a building, and wherein the absorptive panels and support members define in part an air passageway, whereby air may be passed along the absorptive panel to absorb heat therefrom. The inlet of the passageway has provision for admitting predetermined relative quantities of outside and inside air, and the outlet of the passageway communicates with a plenum chamber inside the building so that the heated air from several such passageways may be efficiently collected and utilized.

Abstract: The present invention entails an improved bulk tobacco curing and drying structure provided with a counter flow heat exchanger for reclaiming heat from exhausted air by transferring the reclaimed heat to inlet fresh air being induced into the structure prior to the inlet air combining with the system of air circulating interiorly within the structure.

Abstract: A solar drying apparatus for removing the moisture from granular materials, sludge, or the like which utilizes the sun's rays and convection air currents includes an angled surface for retaining a layer of the material to be dried and a transparent cover disposed above the surface for permitting convection air currents to flow therebetween. A raking device disposed between the surface and the transparent cover causes displacement of the drying material thereby causing it to move slowly down the angled or inclined surface. A feed mechanism is disposed at the upper edge of the angled surface to insure a continuous flow of raw material and a removing device is disposed proximate the lower edge of the angled surface to continuously remove the dried material from the drying apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for utilizing solar heat for dehydrating all form of vegetable matter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for utilizing solar energy in a water and/or waste management system. At least one rotary chamber having a porous or perforated outer wall structure and an inner disposed filter is oriented within a drying structure having a transparent surface of substantial area for allowing solar radiation to be directed through the drying structure onto said rotary chamber. Water or waste material is directed into said rotary chamber, and free water drained therefrom, leaving a sludge like material within the interior of said rotary chamber. To effectuate drying, the rotary chamber is rotatively driven and solar energy in the form of heat is collected about the exterior of the rotary chamber and utilized to dry the interior sludge. At night and when available solar radiation is minimum, drying is achieved by conventional heating means.

Abstract: A dryer which employs open air and solar energy for tumble drying of such items as clothes comprises a rotatable, closed drum and a frame. The drum has first and second end surfaces and a lateral surface. Each of the end surfaces and lateral surface has a plurality of orifices for permitting open air and solar energy to enter and moisture to exit the drum. An access door is attached to the drum and is movable between open and closed positions to permit loading and unloading of the drum. The frame on which the drum is mounted exposes the drum interior to open air and solar energy. Bearings are coupled to the drum and frame for rotatably supporting the drum on the frame. A mechanism for rotating the drum is mounted on the frame and coupled to the drum. The method of drying comprises loading the items to be dried in the drum and exposing the drum loaded with the items to the open air and solar energy while simultaneously rotating the drum to tumble dry the items in the drum.

Abstract: A solar heated anaerobic digestor is provided, adapted to utilize organic material capable of decomposing to produce methane gas and a liquid fertilizer. The sealed anaerobic digestor is wrapped with a layer of heat absorptive material followed by a series of abutting removable panels of insulative material. Insulative panels may be temporarily removed to expose the heat absorptive material to solar radiation and may be replaced when the solar radiation diminishes. A layer of transparent material wrapped in outwardly spaced relation around the insulatng panels is capable of transmitting solar radiation while providing protection against environmental elements. Additional heating means extending into the digestor provide auxiliary heat as required.

Abstract: A box-shaped housing has side and end walls together with a back wall, leaving an opening at its front. A cover of material transparent to sunlight removably closes the front. Inside are a plurality of shelves mounted so as to be tilted at an angle with respect to the end walls. The housing is supported in a stationary position with its back wall tilted backwardly from the top so as to orient the removable shelves substantially in a horizontal position. A plurality of apertures in the housing enable air flow upwardly therethrough.

Abstract: A barrier to minimize the percolation of moisture under fruit drying trays and the like, the barrier having a continuous panel of substantially impervious material folded to form walls positionable in peripherally conforming relation to a tray and being of sufficient rigidity to permit them to be inserted downwardly into the soil to form a subsurface barrier to moisture in the conforming relation.

Abstract: A tray for the field drying of fruit adapted to be rolled about the fruit during the curing thereof consisting of a flexible rectangular sheet of plastic material provided with longitudinally extending corrugations so that the sheet has greater flexibility transversely than longitudinally, the sheet having perforations in the valleys of the corrugations for drainage of rain water when the sheet is disposed flatly on the ground, tabs disposed to cover the perforations which are inverted when the tray is rolled about the fruit, and a hooked longitudinal edge adapted releasably to engage the opposite longitudinal edge when the tray is in the rolled condition.

Abstract: A rectangular building contains a pair of light permeable panels which face in a southerly direction in order to receive as much solar radiation as possible. One of the panels constitutes one section of the building's sloping roof and the other a vertical wall of the building. The remainder of the building panels are mainly of sheet metal. Inside the building and spaced from both the light permeable panels are a pair of circular grain storage bins, each being open at the top but protected or covered by the overlying roof. Air heated by the radiation transmitted through the light permeable panels is induced to flow through each bin so as to dry grain or other crops contained in the bin. The air then passes through a gravel bed at the bottom of each bin into ducts having fans which exhaust the air and the moisture it has picked up to atmosphere.

Abstract: A portable solar heat tube comprising an outer flexible tubular member having high solar transmittance capabilities and a flexible insulating tubular member positioned within the outer tubular member. A flexible absorber tubular member is positioned within the insulation tubular member for converting the incoming sunlight into heat and transferring the heat to the air passing therethrough. One end of the absorber tubular member is connected to a source of air under pressure with the other end thereof being connected to the installation requiring heat. A modified form of the solar heat tube includes a flexible header positioned within the absorber tubular member. The flexible header has a diameter somewhat smaller than the absorber tubular member so that a space will be provided therebetween.

Abstract: A solar chemical process for converting sewer sludge from a gelatinous mass into a manageable product suitable for fertilizer includes the manufacture of a carbonaceous product by treating cellulose waste such as newspaper with sulfuric acid and heating the mixture until the cellulose product becomes substantially black. The black product is mixed with sludge in a ratio to produce a grainy product that can be chlorinated for sterility and spread as fertilizer. In a modified version of the process, coal ash is added to the sludge with the carbonaceous product for its nutrient value, and sand may be added with the coal ash to aid in aeration of the soil.

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: A solar heating unit which is covered at the top by a glass plate and at the bottom by an insulating layer, and at a height therebetween by an absorber plate which divides the unit into an upper and lower chamber through which forced air is guided to flow in opposite directions in contact first with the top and then the bottom surface of the absorber plate. The absorber plate has a smaller spacing from the glass cover than from the bottom insulating layer so that the air flows through the upper chamber at a faster rate than through the lower chamber. Due to this design the temperature gradient of the air on the two sides of the cover plate is held relatively low and heat losses through this cover are reduced at a minimum of expense. Several portable heating units of this design may be serially connected to form a free-standing solar heating assembly, for example, for supplying drying air to a grain bin.

Abstract: A method of producing bleached dried fruit particularly bleached raisins, in which the fruit is supported in a porous layer upwardly spaced from the ground, the layer is overlaid with a film of plastic material which filters out visible light rays while transmitting infra red light rays, sulfur dioxide is passed upwardly through the layer, and the layer is exposed to sun light filtered by passage through the film to dry the fruit while overlaid with the sheet material.

Abstract: A method for providing grain drying and storage utilizing an earth cavity of designated planar construction as covered by light transmitting housing assembly; the structure consisting of an earth cavity having inverted tetrahedral characteristic which is closed over by a light transmitting housing, the interior of the storage volume includes a plurality of conveyor means for circulating the fungible material placed therein as well as means for controlling the interior heat and auxiliary heat flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaporating and condensing moisture from a procession of prepared fruit and vegetable particles at subatmospheric pressures, to manufacture puffed, low-moisture food products.A series of stations of decreasing pressure and increasing temperature is established within the dehydrating apparatus, and the procession of food particles is led and guided by the apparatus to pass systematically from station to station of the series for dehydration treatment. As the particles advance through the series of stations of successively lower pressure, they encounter an oil temperature in each succeeding station which is higher, and a vapor head pressure which is lower, than in the preceding station. By the time leading particles have traversed all stations of the series, they have become puffed and dehydrated.

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: Incoming fresh air, which is introduced for heating in the furnace of a bulk curing barn for tobacco, travels the length of the barn in heat exchange relationship in a direction opposite to that of the hot, moist exhaust air leaving the curing chamber. The incoming fresh air is further preheated by means of a solar roof immediately beneath which the fresh air flows on its way to the furnace. The curing chamber itself is made substantially air tight, is insulated, and has the floor thereof elevated above the ground, thereby preventing heat loss as much as possible. The barn is sometimes portable so that it can be loaded with tobacco adjacent or near the tobacco field and moved to whatever location desired for the curing operation.In a preferred embodiment, additional amounts of fresh air are introduced beneath the edges of a corrugated surface which forms the solar roof, which air streams are heated both by the solar furnace from above, and also by the hot exhaust air in an exit duct immediately therebeneath.

Abstract: This invention relates to a greenhouse, drying, storing and nursery system and entails a simple multi-purpose structure which includes the capability to effectively utilize solar energy within a greenhouse and is adapted to control temperature, humidity and other environmental parameters. The multi-purpose structure may be utilized as a drying structure wherein a crop material or some other suitable product may be placed within the greenhouse-drying structure and a curing and/or drying effect may be realized by passing a system of air through the product or material disposed therein. As a part of the curing and/or drying system, the device of the present invention is adapted to circulate a system of air through the structure and to effectively collect solar energy when available for use during the curing or drying period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a greenhouse curing and drying structure adapted to collect energy associated with available solar radiation and to utilize the heat associated therewith in curing and drying material within said greenhouse curing and drying structure. Basically the curing and drying structure comprises an outer transparent housing and an interiorly disposed solar energy collector housing defining a drying area or chamber thereunder. During phases of curing and drying material in the drying area or drying chamber, an outside air system is directed between said outer transparent housing and said collector housing where solar energy in the form of heat collected is transferred to the passing air system.

Abstract: A grain storage bin utilizing solar energy to heat air that is circulated through stored grain, having an outside sidewall constructed of heat absorbing material and forming a closed structure. A roof is disposed over the outside sidewalls. An inside sidewall forming a second closed structure is disposed inwardly from the outside sidewall, thereby forming a solar plenum between the outside and inside sidewalls. Air intakes are disposed within the outside sidewalls, thereby permitting ambient air to pass into the solar plenum. An air pervious floor is attached to the inside surface of the inside sidewalls and a grain chamber is formed by the inside sidewalls and the air pervious floor. An air circulating device is disposed within the grain bin for circulating ambient air through the air intakes, the solar plenum, the air pervious floor, the stored grain, and out of the grain bin.

Abstract: A grain bin of a type having side walls and a perforated floor therein. A drying fan is connected to the bin below the perforated floor and a roof is rotatably attached to the grain bin. The roof has vanes thereon for catching wind and causing circulation of air through the bin, thereby causing ventilation of the bin. Means for rotating the roof when the wind is not blowing is also provided.

Abstract: A crop-drying system utilizing a conventional crop or grain confining bin having means for delivering drying air to the grain retained within the bin. A solar pre-heat chamber is utilized to deliver pre-heated air to the impeller, with the solar pre-heat chamber comprising an elongated tubular structure having bottom, side and top walls, and wherein the bottom wall is an opaque, highly absorbent flexible film, with the side and top walls being transparent, highly transmissive flexible films. The pre-heat chamber is coupled to an air inlet chamber, with normally closed vents being provided for responding to a clogged condition to the normal inlet port of the inlet chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel device for converting sunlight to heat, which is used to dehydrate solid organic material, which thereby is made useful as low - grade solid fuel or partly dehydrated foodstuffs.

Abstract: For drying of crops and preserving of foods or other perishables or such a heat pump is used. The heat producing end or "Hot" side of the heat pump may be used to produce warm dry air for drying while the cold producing end or "Cold" side produces cool dry air for drying. The effect is to obtain much more drying per kilowatt hour of electricity used than if the electricity were used through resistance heating elements, as is now a common practice. Our precious energy is conserved and used much more efficiently.In addition to heat pump Hot and Cold drying, Solar Energy may also be used. That goes a step further in conserving our energy, during the Energy Crisis, and both approaches help to alleviate the Pollution Crisis by using less of our electrical or combustion produced energy, that must be produced by pollution creating equipment.A portion or all of the heat output, or cooling output, may be used for heating or cooling a home or other building.

Abstract: A solar heating method and apparatus including a system for storing solar heat is provided for heating a house, building or other area. A chamber is filled with calcium oxide which is fed on demand to a tank of water where it converts to calcium hydroxide releasing energy which heats the water. Heat from the water is removed through a heat exchanger for heating a building, or the like, and the calcium hydroxide is de-watered utilizing a solar heater which converts the calcium hydroxide back to calcium oxide. The calcium oxide is transferred back into the calcium oxide storage container.