Abstract: A method for preheating a rotatable fluidizable bed (106) comprises rotating the bed chamber (112) slowly to cause the particles (114) to slowly tumble and mix. During tumbling, one or more burners (150, 160) extending into the chamber (112), heat the particles (114) until the desired operating or ignition temperature is reached. Temperature sensors (170) in thermal communication with the bed particles (114) sense the temperature and provide either an indication thereof or an initiating signal which, in the case of a rotating fluidized bed combustor (10), terminates preheating, accelerates the bed chamber (112) rotation to normal combustor (10) operating speed and/or introduces fluidizing air and/or fuel flow through the bed chamber (112).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying pieces in bulk, such as metal screws being electrolytically galvanized. The pieces are charged in a rotating perforated barrel through which drying air is passed. The barrel is positioned in a drying chamber which also contains a ventilator for circulating the air, an air heater and a dehumidifier. These components are arranged so that dry air is drawn through the barrel and the charge by vacuum from the portion of the barrel not filled by the charge. Flexible seals between the barrel outer casing and a suction box direct the flow of air substantially completely through the charge.

Abstract: A pre-heating chamber of transversely arcuate shape adapted to be mounted above a longitudinal portion of a rotary dryer chamber adjacent the combustion chamber of a drying apparatus for drying aggregate, such as used in the manufacture of asphalt paving composition, in which ambient air is circulated through the pre-heating chamber and then discharged through a duct means to the air intake of the combustion chamber.The pre-heating chamber is preferably divided into a radially outer air intake passage communicating at one end with a radially inner air discharge passage to provide a more effective heat transfer between the pre-heating chamber and the rotary dryer chamber.

Abstract: The rotary combustion bed has a rotary drum with a permeable refractory lining through which air is blown during rotation of the drum and cascading of a charge of material in the drum. The air blown into the drum can be controlled to blow through various angular sections of the drum.

Abstract: In rotary tubes (1), an insert (4) which expands under the influence of heat can be moved in the radical direction in a cold outer casing (3) by means of an end plate (19) but is fixed in the axial direction, whereas other plates (20, 21) of the insert (4) have cogs (27) which are guided in sliding grooves (16) parallel to the axis due to the thermal expansion, each plate (20, 21) being provided with at least three cogs (24) and three sliding grooves (16) over its periphery.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00945 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 5, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 5, 1979 PCT Filed Nov. 5, 1979A rotatable fluidizable bed (106) comprises means for rotating the bed chamber (112) slowly to cause the particles (114) to slowly tumble and mix. During tumbling, one or more burners (150, 160) extending into the chamber (112), heat the particles (114) until the desired operating or ignition temperature is reached. Temperature sensors (170) in thermal communication with the bed particles (114) sense the temperature and provide either an indication thereof or an initiating signal which, in the case of a rotating fluidized bed combustor (10), terminates preheating, accelerates the bed chamber (112) rotation to normal combustor (10) operating speed and/or introduces fluidizing air and/or fuel flow through the bed chamber (112).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing combustible material from metal scrap. The apparatus includes an inclined rotating retort, and scrap metal containing combustible material is fed into one end of the retort and as the scrap moves through the retort the combustible material is burned from the scrap. The retort is spaced within an outer refractory housing to provide an annular chamber therebetween, and the chamber is divided into two or more zones. Located within each zone is a fuel burner and a cooling air inlet. The temperature is sensed in each zone, and if the temperature falls below a preset minimum, the burner in that zone is operated, while if the temperature in the zone exceeds a pre-set maximum, cooling air is supplied to that zone to thereby maintain the temperature of the scrap metal within predetermined limits.

Abstract: A dryer for removing moisture from wet fine particles, such as coal, comprising an insulated stationary cylinder in which an open-ended metallic cylindrical tube is rotated, coaxially in an essentially horizontal position. Wet particles are introduced in said open end while hot air is circulated between the stationary cylinder and the tube.Substantial improvement in the overall efficiency is obtained by recirculating some of the spent products of combustion into the rotary drying cylinder as well as in a preheater or heat exchanger to heat the air used for combustion.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating workpieces in a bed of particles, e.g. for heat treating workpieces in a fluidize bed, comprises a chamber which contains the bed, a conveyor for conveying workpieces through the chamber into contact with particles of the bed within the chamber, and transporting means for transporting back to the bed particles which fall from the conveyor or workpieces after the conveyor and workpieces have advanced from the bed. The conveyor may comprise a rotatable open work drum, having an internal helical formation for advancing workpieces through it and an external helical formation of opposite hand to that of the internal helical formation to constitute the transporting means.

Abstract: In a rotary heat exchanger, two groups of tubes are concentrically arranged about a drive shaft and the tubes have ports at their ends which are in communication with inlet and discharge chambers to which respective streams of gas are delivered so that two separate streams of gas may be circulated through the tubes. A solid granular material is supplied into the tubes of one group at one end and, near the other end, the tubes of the first and second groups are interconnected for passing the material from one group to the other.

Abstract: Distillation system for distilling shale oil. Shale is inserted into a rotating retort which displaces the shale throughut the retort extended length. The rotating retort is mounted to a multiplicity of enclosed housings through rotative bearings. The enclosed housings form discrete heating chambers to provide individual temperature zones through which the shale passes in the distilling process. The multiplicity of housings are each connected to a next consecutive housing through a conduit which permits utilization of combustion gases from a common source to heat each of the temperature zones. A thermal control mechanism is coupled to each of the enclosures to provide temperature control within a particular temperature zone. Thus, the shale in its passage through the retort is subjected or exposed to predetermined temperature ranges within each of the enclosures for a predetermined time in order to maximize the efficiency of the shale oil recovery process.

Abstract: My continuous drier comprises an inclined tubular casing having a feed tube concentrically disposed therein via which the product, such as grain or seed, to be dried is delivered to the lower end of the casing. Circumscribed about the feed tube and in a fixed relation thereto is an auger having its peripheral edge secured to the interior of the tubular casing. Most of the flights of the auger are perforated, the holes being of a size sufficiently small so that the granular product will not pass therethrough, yet large enough to allow a heat conductive media, such as salt particles, to sift downwardly as the drier is rotated about its inclined axis. Whereas most of the auger is perforated, two flights adjacent the closed lower end of the casing are imperforate.

Abstract: A new industrial laundry dryer-conditioner is provided, within a single module, that has continuous flow capabilities for integration with advanced industrial washing apparatus, of the continuous flow type, for continuously and automatically processing laundry items through both the washing and the drying cycles.

Abstract: A dryer for removing moisture from wet fine particles, such as coal, comprising an insulated stationary cylinder in which an open-ended metallic cylindrical tube is rotated, coaxially in an essentially horizontal position. Wet particles are introduced in said open end while hot air is circulated between the stationary cylinder and the tube. Metallic balls or the like contained in the rotating tube are interspersed in the wet mix. Perforated fins and baffles extend from the outer wall of the tube to aid in transferring heat, by conduction, to the tube and metallic balls to evaporate the moisture before the coal is discharged at the opposite end through a screen section of the tube. Additives may be introduced into the wet mix to coat the dried coal particles to prevent dust or prepare the mix for pelletizing or briquetting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for continuously circulating a fluidized powder in a heat exchanger between a heat-carrying gas and a fluidized powder, and to heat exchangers using this process. In the process according to the invention, the circuit through which the fluidized material circulates is in the form of two series of tubes, merely one series of ascending tubes and another series of descending tubes, and the material is fluidized in these tubes with a density that is higher in the descending tubes than in the ascending tubes. The invention applies to any heat exchanger between a gas and a powder and, more particularly, to installations, for calcining hydrated alumina.

Abstract: The dryer under consideration has a gas burner located within a sheet metal housing, and passageways in and through the housing direct ambient air for combustion with fuel within the housing and subsequent discharge of the combined combustion gases through the inlet opening into the drum chamber. The exhaust opening from the drum chamber is ducted to the outside atmosphere but it is also ducted at a tee junction to a reclaimer housing that directs this diverted gas in heat exchange relation past the burner housing and to the drum chamber. Thus, a portion of such exhausted gases is reused, preferrably the reused gas should constitute approximately 50 to 70 percent of the total volume of gas used, and it is heated only by heat exchange contact with the burner housing; while the remainder of the drying gases comprises the ambient air heated by combustion in the burner with the gaseous fuel and is thus much hotter.