Abstract: A method to store energy, the method comprising: (b) providing a phase change material, having a melting point of at least 500° C., in a container; (c) heating the phase change material to cause at least a portion thereof to melt and so store heat therein; (d) storing the phase change material for a period of time being at least one minute; (e) using at least a portion of heat from the phase change material as a power source; (e) moving the container and the phase change material from a first location to a second location, the first and second locations being spaced apart by at least 10 metres. Embodiments of the invention may be used for a variety of purposes, such as for vehicle propulsion, oil well stimulation and recovery of crude oil from sunken tankers. A vehicle may be moved to a location proximate to where the power source is required which is more convenient and indeed allows steam to be supplied in areas which where hitherto not possible.

Abstract: A technique of controlling a steam generating boiler system includes using a rate of change of disturbance variables to control operation of a portion of the boiler system, and in particular, to control a temperature of output steam to a turbine. The technique uses a primary dynamic matrix control (DMC) block to control a field device that, at least in part, affects the output steam temperature. The primary DMC block uses the rate of change of a disturbance variable, a current output steam temperature, and an output steam temperature setpoint as inputs to generate a control signal. A derivative DMC block may be included to provide a boost signal based on the rate of change of the disturbance variable and/or other desired weighting. The boost signal is combined the control output of the primary DMC block to more quickly control the output steam temperature towards its desired level.

Abstract: A technique of controlling a steam generating boiler system using dynamic matrix control includes preventing saturated steam from entering a superheater section. A dynamic matrix control block uses a rate of change of a disturbance variable, a current output steam temperature, and an output steam setpoint as inputs to generate a control signal. A prevention block modifies the control signal based on a saturatec temperature and an intermediate steam temperature. In some embodiments, the control signal is modified based on a threshold and/or an adjustable function g(x). The modified control signal is used to control a field device that, at least in part, affects the intermediate steam and output steam of the boiler system. In some embodiments, the prevention block is included in the dynamic matrix control block.

Abstract: A method provides an adhesive strip for anti-corrosion treatment of metal surfaces. The adhesive strip has a layer of olefin polymer and a crosslinker and is applied onto a metal surface. The strip is heated such that the layer melts, thereby forming an anti-corrosion layer for the metal surface.

Abstract: A method for operating a furnace, such as, for example, a fluidized bed reactor, includes introducing an alkali-containing material and a hydrous clay into the furnace, the hydrous clay having a moisture content of at least about 5% by weight. The method further includes heating at least a portion of the alkali-containing material and hydrous clay, such that at least a portion of the hydrous clay is at least partially calcined and the at least partially calcined clay adsorbs at least a portion of alkali present in the furnace. The method further includes removing at least a portion of the at least partially calcined clay and adsorbed alkali from the furnace.

Abstract: The system according to the invention for thermally processing lumpy solid material substantially comprises a preheating device, a furnace and a separation or classification device which is arranged therebetween and which has a coarse material outlet connected to the furnace and a fine material outlet. The furnace and the preheating device are connected to each other by means of a gas/solid material line which is arranged so as to be inclined relative to the vertical, the furnace exhaust gases being introduced at the end of the gas/solid material line at the furnace side and the preheated solid material being supplied at the end at the preheater side. The separation or classification device is connected to a bypass line which branches off from the gas/solid material line so that at least a partial amount of the preheated solid material can be branched off via the bypass line by means of gravitational force and can be supplied to the separation or classification device.

Abstract: A process for making a mineral melt comprising: providing a circulating combustion chamber which contains circulating chamber gases, injecting a stream of particulate fuel into the combustion chamber through a fuel feed pipe, injecting combustion gas into the combustion chamber; mixing the stream of particulate fuel with the combustion gas and with the circulating chamber gases by injecting into the combustion chamber secondary gas, through a secondary gas inlet, wherein the secondary gas is injected adjacent to the stream of particulate fuel and the injection speed of the secondary gas is at least 100 m/s greater than the injection speed of the particulate fuel; suspending particulate mineral material in the circulating chamber gases and combusting the fuel, thereby melting the particulate mineral material and forming a mineral melt and hot exhaust gases; and separating the hot exhaust gases from the melt and collecting the melt.

Abstract: A method for producing an interconnector for high temperature fuel cells, an associated high temperature fuel cell and a fuel cell system are provided. A precisely defined sealing area made of material with good electro-conductive properties is introduced as an interconnector into a metallic porous carrier of a high temperature fuel cell. The material is applied to the carrier in a precisely defined manner and infiltrates into a sintered composite of the carrier material by heat treatment. An interconnector is produced in the fuel cell, wherein the fuel cells are interconnected via the interconnector. Such a fuel cell has a working temperature of between 500 and 700° C.

Abstract: In general, the present invention relates to the production of ultrapure phosphorus. In particular, the present invention relates to the method for the production of ultrapure phosphorus by zone melting in a Non-flammable environment and the equipments used in such method. The process of the present invention is clean, chemical free, fast, and energy efficient.

Abstract: It is aimed to improve the heating efficiency of a poured raw material by efficiently creating a natural convection in a container. The interior of a container is constructed to have such a closed loop shape that a heating medium can be vertically circulated. A heated gas passage includes a lower heating section for heating the heating medium in a lower storage, and a lateral heating section for heating the heating medium, which was heated in the lower storage, in a first lateral section. A raw material is introduced to the heating medium which is flowing toward the lower storage in a second lateral section by being heated in the first lateral section, thereby promoting the circulation of the heating medium. In heat transferring pipes, the raw material is boiled to create drive forces for circulating the heating medium.

Abstract: There is provided a sintering furnace for a ceramic product and a sintering method using the same. A sintering furnace for a ceramic product according to an aspect of the invention may include: a furnace body having an insulating material provided therein; at least one setter arranged in the furnace body and having a ceramic molded product loaded on an upper side thereof; a heater supplying heat to the ceramic molded product; and a gas supply device disposed under the setter or around the heater so that a uniform temperature gradient is maintained inside the furnace body. According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a sintering furnace for a ceramic product and a sintering method using the same that can prevent changes in the characteristics of a ceramic product by a temperature gradient during sintering by reducing temperature variations inside a sintering furnace.

Abstract: This invention relates to a two or three-stage apparatus and method of use to produce high purity silicon, such as for use in solar panels and/or photovoltaics. The device of this invention includes a melting apparatus with a delivery device, a holding apparatus with a tipping or transfer mechanism, and at least one solidification apparatus for receiving a molten feedstock. The optimized designs of individual apparatuses function efficiently in combination to produce high purity silicon.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and process for the production of polycrystalline silicon for photovoltaic applications. The apparatus is characterized in that it comprises of multiple chambers, preferably three, arranged longitudinally one after the other and equipped with: gas immission and extraction means; means for guiding and moving the crucible containing the silicon-based material; insulation and temperature control means; heating means; air-tightness means for each chamber. One of said chambers constitutes the furnace of the apparatus and comprises an area in which the smelting of the material contained in the crucible is carried out, said furnace being equipped with heating means and bearing a heat-stable pedestal, suitable for moving the crucible vertically and thus for introducing it into, or extracting it from the smelting area, respectively.

Abstract: A process for making a carbonaceous material and a carbonous residue from scrap tires is disclosed. Tires are digested in an oil product. Steel and glass fibers are separated. A product enhancing additive comprising halogen based organic or inorganic compounds is added. The resulting carbonaceous material is then cured to create the final product. The produced carbonous residue is well suited for capture of mercury. The present invention has the benefits of providing a use for scrap tires that would otherwise require disposal in a landfill, and also produces a product useful for capturing a harmful element, thereby providing multiple environmental and economic benefits.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing oil drilling waste. According to the invention, oil drilling waste of one or more types is selected, and is introduced from the feeding tanks into a rotating kiln; and in the kiln, the oil drilling waste is processed at a temperature of 110 to 13500° C. to form granules having a compact-coated surface.

Abstract: An evaporator for vaporizing an organic material to be deposited on a flexible substrate where the evaporator includes an evaporation tube having a wall encompassing a cavity for vaporizing the organic material, at least one heating device arranged adjacent to the wall and being adapted to heat the evaporation tube, and at least one nozzle assembly protruding from the evaporation tube. The nozzle assembly further comprises a nozzle cover with an opening, and a shutter for selectively opening and closing the opening of the nozzle cover. The shutter is adapted to have in operation of the evaporation tube a temperature within a shutter temperature range of 140° C. such that the temperature of the nozzle cover is within the shutter temperature range.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for the separation of volatile components from a feed material.

Abstract: It is aimed to improve the heating efficiency of a poured raw material by efficiently creating a natural convection in a container. The interior of a container is constructed to have such a closed loop shape that a heating medium can be vertically circulated. A heated gas passage includes a lower heating section for heating the heating medium in a lower storage, and a lateral heating section for heating the heating medium, which was heated in the lower storage, in a first lateral section. A raw material is introduced to the heating medium which is flowing toward the lower storage in a second lateral section by being heated in the first lateral section, thereby promoting the circulation of the heating medium. In heat transferring pipes, the raw material is boiled to create drive forces for circulating the heating medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sintering in a furnace atmosphere wherein said furnace atmosphere is a hydrogen-free atmosphere comprising nitrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for introducing a flowable and foamable reaction mixture from the top into a ballast body having sleepers embedded therein, in which method said mixture is introduced into the ballast body laterally of the sleepers, notably preferably depending on the height of the ballast body at the point of application, and in a quantity that is all the larger the more upwards in the ballast body the application point is situated, wherein the mixture is adjusted in such a way that the foam formation process will begin only when the front of the mixture flowing downwards inside the ballast body has reached the bottom side or the region in the vicinity thereof of the ballast body so that the foam formation is carried out within the ballast body from the bottom towards the top.

Abstract: A receptacle for holding a meltable sharps container during a sterilization process in which the meltable sharps container and any contained sharps are heated. The receptacle includes a side wall and a bottom wall having respective interior surfaces defining a space for receiving the meltable sharps container. The receptacle also includes a plurality of recessed areas in the interior surface of the bottom wall, and a plurality of elevated areas on the interior surface of the bottom wall, whereby as the sharps container melts, material from the sharps container flows into the recessed areas and the elevated areas hold the contained sharps above the recessed areas, so as to inhibit the contained sharps from protruding through the melted sharps container.

Abstract: The present invention provides self-heating apparatuses and methods of heating using an aqueous solution and a solid chemical reactant mixture. The solid chemical reactant mixture may include magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and/or calcium oxide.

Abstract: In a kiln whose interior is heated by combustion with oxidant having a higher oxygen content than air, streams of staging oxidant are fed into the space between the combustion zone and the inner surface of the kiln, and the stoichiometric ratios and amounts of oxygen in the combustion zone and in the overall operation of the kiln are adjusted to provide control or reduction of NOx formation while maintaining or increasing productivity of the kiln.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the continuous melting of inorganic salts and a furnace installation for realizing the method. Solid salts are fed into a furnace with the aid of a feeding unit. The salts contained in the furnace are heated. A flow of the salts is generating inside the furnace with the aid of a circulating unit. The flow generates a two-phase region containing solid and melted salt and a separate second region containing substantially solely a melt that is heated to the desired temperature. The melt is discharged from the separate second region simultaneous with the feeding of the solid salts into the furnace with the aid of a removal unit.

Abstract: A process for increasing the thermal radiation absorbance of objects that are to be melted or softened. An agent is applied to the object, such as an aluminum sow, and the object is placed in a furnace. The furnace exposes the object to thermal radiation, such as by blasting the sow with jets of burning gas, and the material melts. The increase in absorbance on the outer surface of the object reduces the amount of energy needed to melt or soften the material, as thermal energy is absorbed by the object more rapidly than uncoated materials.

Abstract: The present invention is a vehicle windshield assembly for assisting a vehicle defroster in melting ice or snow on a vehicle windshield by engaging and heating an outer circumference area of an inner side of the windshield using a flexible electrical heating element, an adhesive for adhering the heating element to the windshield, an electrical conductor for electrically connecting the heating element to an electrical outlet in the vehicle, and an electrical control device for controlling operation of the heating element at a plurality of heating levels. The heating element may be capable of plugging directly into a universal vehicle power outlet, lighter socket, fuse box, or the vehicle's electrical system. A heating element is held to an outer perimeter of the windshield using a flexible adhesive tape, a permanent adhesive, or may be sandwiched between two panels of glass forming the windshield.

Abstract: A sinter furnace for sapphire crystal growth includes an outer furnace, and an inner furnace mounted in the outer furnace. The inner furnace includes a furnace bed, a furnace body detachably mounted on the furnace bed, a gas inlet pipe mounted in the furnace body, and a gas outlet pipe mounted on the furnace body. Thus, the inert gas is introduced through the gas inlet pipe into the furnace body and the used inert gas is drained outwardly from the gas outlet pipe to enhance the air circulation in the furnace body so that the heat contained in the furnace body is distributed evenly so as to enhance the quality of the sapphire crystal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for heating up extrusion dies prior to their installation in an extruder, whereby the dies are heated up to a prescribed temperature and kept at this temperature. The device is characterized in that it comprises a gas-tight and thermally insulated oven housing (50) that has at least one charging and discharging opening (70) with an oven cover (40) and, inside the oven housing, there is an impact nozzle field (20) into which a die (90) can be placed, and in that the device (10) is provided with a heating means (100) that heats up a fluid that flows through the openings (110) of the impact nozzle field (20). The invention also relates to a method for heating up extrusion dies prior to their installation in an extruder.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of reducing the water demand of expanded perlite that includes obtaining a vibrating screen supported at an angle and placing expanded perlite on the vibrating screen. The expanded perlite is moved over the screen past toward a burner at a rate that heats the expanded perlite to a temperature sufficient to anneal it. The expanded perlite is then moved away from the burner and allowed to cool. Another embodiment of this invention is directed to a method of making a gypsum product. The method includes annealing perlite by the method described above, then preparing a slurry of calcium sulfate hemihydrate, additives, water and the annealed perlite. The slurry is formed into the shape of the gypsum product and allowed to set. This process is particularly useful in making gypsum panels and acoustical panels that benefit from the use of lightweight materials.

Abstract: Nano-scale particles of materials can be produced by vaporizing material and allowing the material to flow in a non-violently turbulent manner into thermal communication with a cooling fluid, thereby forming small particles of the material that can be in the nano-scale size range. A raw material feeder can be configured to feed raw material toward a heater which vaporizes the raw material. The feeder can include a metering device for controlling the flow of raw material toward the heater. A gas source can also be used to cause gas to flow through a portion of the raw material feeder along with the raw material.

Abstract: A method for producing clinker in a system having a rotary kiln and a pre-calciner, waste material is introduced into the inlet end of the pre-calciner to serve as secondary fuel for pre-calcining raw mix also fed into the pre-calciner. The waste material is substantially completely combustible and exothermic. In a preferred embodiment, the waste material includes tires, plastics and other combustible waste that has been shredded or chipped to a size that is sufficiently small to ensure substantially complete combustion of the particles as they fall through the pre-calciner.

Abstract: A method for making an inorganic structure including: (a) applying a photoreactive composition to a substrate, wherein the composition includes: a reactive species, a photoinitiator system, and a plurality of substantially inorganic colloidal particles, wherein the particles have an average particle size of less than about 300 nm; (b) photopatterning the composition to define a structure; and (c) subjecting the structure to elevated temperature for a time sufficient to pyrolyze the reactive species and to at least partially fuse the particles.

Abstract: Methods of making amorphous material and ceramic materials. Embodiments of the invention can be used to make abrasive particles. The abrasive particles can be incorporated into a variety of abrasive articles, including bonded abrasives, coated abrasives, nonwoven abrasives, and abrasive brushes.

Abstract: A method of joining at least two sintered bodies to form a composite structure, including providing a first multicomponent metallic oxide having a perovskitic or fluorite crystal structure; providing a second sintered body including a second multicomponent metallic oxide having a crystal structure of the same type as the first; and providing at an interface a joint material containing at least one metal oxide containing at least one metal identically contained in at least one of the first and second multicomponent metallic oxides. The joint material is free of cations of Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, P and Te and has a melting point below the sintering temperatures of both sintered bodies. The joint material is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the metal oxide(s) and below the sintering temperatures of the sintered bodies to form the joint. Structures containing such joints are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a firing furnace (100) comprising a combusting means (2) for combusting a fuel (11), a firing furnace main body (1) for firing a member to be fired and exhausting a combustion gas, and a methane reforming device (3) for reacting a reforming material (23) composed of a methane sub fuel for reformation (21) and steam (22) with a methane reforming catalyst (6) filled therein while heating the same by the combustion gas for producing a reformed gas (24) containing hydrogen and carbon dioxide, capable of cutting back the fuel cost.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a sulfoaluminate or ferroaluminate cement, and an apparatus for the manufacture. The cement is manufactured from a mixture containing CaCO3, Al3 and/or Al(OH)3, CaSO4, SiO2 and/or a product containing silica or silicates such as clay, these compounds being present in the anhydrous or hydrated form. In this process, the mixture is treated up to clinkering by movement in a center of a kiln, in a sheet with approximately constant thickness, at approximately constant speed, along a treatment path having a positive temperature gradient, and for a treatment time during which the mixture remains below its melting temperature. The mixture is clinkered to produce a clinkered mixture that is cooled upon exit from the treatment path.

Abstract: An apparatus (100, 100′, 100″) and a method serve to continuously produce a cooked and vacuumized confectionery mass. The apparatus (100, 100′, 100″) includes a boiling apparatus (3), an evaporating chamber (8), a conduit (7) connecting the boiling apparatus (3) to the evaporating chamber (8) and a pressure maintaining valve (9). The pressure maintaining valve (9) is arranged in the conduit (7) between the boiling apparatus (3) and the evaporating chamber (8). The pressure maintaining valve (9) serves to continuously maintain at least atmospheric pressure in the boiling apparatus (3) and negative pressure in the evaporating chamber (8). The method includes the steps of boiling an aqueous solution of substances under pressure which is at least atmospheric pressure, separating the aqueous solution of substances with respect to pressure, and evaporating the cooked solution of substances under negative pressure for at least a few seconds.

Abstract: To track a large number of tools, the tools are kept in sets with each set having a container. A silhouette of each tool stored in the container is printed at the point of storage along with a data matrix symbology that has stored in binary code a description of the tool, the part number, and an identification of the kit of which it is a part. The associated tool has etched into the surface thereof a data matrix symbology containing the same information as the code printed at the point of storage. The data matrix symbology is readable by a scanner and a record of all the tools is maintained on a computer. Metal tools, may have a chrome, black oxide or stainless steel surface. To prepare the surface of a metal tool for receiving a data matrix symbology applied by a laser, the surface is sand blasted and coated with an suitable epoxy to inhance contrast.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of cement clinker from cement raw material, wherein preheated raw material is calcined in a calcination zone, then finally burnt to cement clinker in a sintering combustion zone of a kiln supplied with fuel, and the hot cement is cooled in a cooler, and wherein fuel is generated from waste-derived fuels in a gasification reactor to which at least one gas conveying pipe for a reagent is connected and which is connected via at least one fuel gas pipe to at least one combustion zone.

Abstract: In a sputtering target comprising at least indium oxide and zinc oxide, the atomic ratio represented by In/(In+Zn) is set to a value within the range of 0.75 to 0.97, a hexagonal layered compound represented by In2O3(ZnO)m wherein m is an integer of 2 to 20 is contained, and the crystal grain size of the hexagonal layered compound is set to a value of 5 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for carrying out combustion in a furnace having porous walls with a large surface area in a combustion zone in which a low velocity oxidant stream is injected through at least one oxidant injection side of the porous walls into the combustion zone, a fuel stream through at least fuel injection side directed toward the oxidant injection side and mixing the low velocity oxidant and fuel stream to create a flame with reduced flame temperature.

Abstract: A crucible for melting a silica for fusion of said silica into a desired shape. The crucible having a main body with inner and outer surfaces comprised of a refractory material. In addition, at least a portion of the inner surface includes a barrier layer comprised of a material selected from rhenium, osmium, iridium, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: This describes a method for producing cement clinker using petroleum coke with a sulfur content over 4.5% by weight, in conventional equipment and facilities, wherein said method comprises the treatment of the raw mixture to synergistically improve its physical-chemical characteristics combined with the parameter control of the process, in such a way as to obtain a reduction of the clinkering temperature, all as a heretofore-unappreciated way to reduce, as a result, the concentration of SO3 in the calcinated material fed to the rotating kiln, and also usefully increasing with this the calcium sulfate content in the clinker.

Abstract: A tungsten powder having a powder specific surface of 0.4 m2/g or more is hot-pressed at a temperature of 1,600° C. or more and then subjected to HIP at a temperature of 1,700° C. or more without capsuling, whereby a tungsten target for sputtering is manufactured that has a relative density of 99% or more and an average crystal grain size of 100 &mgr;m or less. This manufacturing method can manufacture, stably at a low cost, a tungsten target having such a high density and fine crystal structure as cannot be attained by the conventional pressure sintering method, and can greatly decrease the number of particle defects on a film produced by using such a target.

Abstract: A method of producing a calcined raw meal and of producing additional steam in an existing steam generator comprises the following steps: pulverized raw meal, hydrocarbon, primary air and secondary air are fed to a calciner system (60), wherein the raw meal is calcined in a temperature range between 850 ° C. and 950 ° C., the calcined raw meal is separated from the calciner flue gases at the exit of the calciner system, the calcined raw meal is directed through a cooler (70), in which it exchanges its heat with the secondary air, the calciner exhaust gases are directed in the gas path of the backpass of the steam generator (1) at an appropriate temperature window and are used for steam production. The raw meal consists mainly of limestone (CaCO3) and the calcined material is mainly lime (CaO). The fuel feed (4) to the steam generator (1) is reduced during introduction of the exhaust gases into its backpass.

Abstract: In a process for melting inorganic materials (7) in a rotary horizontal converter or a rotary kiln (1) by adding fuel (8), oxygen or oxygen-enriched gases (10) and the inorganic materials (7) to a liquid bath (5), solid fuel (8) is added in piece form. The oxygen or the oxygen-enriched gas (10) is blown at high velocity (v) onto the surface of the bath (5), reacts with the solid fuel (8) and releases heat in the course of this. By means of the process of the invention, high temperatures can be achieved with the use of inexpensive fuels.

Abstract: A crucible for melting a silica for fusion of said silica into a desired shape. The crucible having a main body with inner and outer surfaces comprised of a refractory material. In addition, the inner surface adjacent at least a melting zone of the furnace includes a substantially gas-tight barrier layer comprised of a material selected from rhenium, osmium, iridium, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for carrying out combustion in a furnace having porous walls with a large surface area comprising providing a combustion zone containing an atmosphere of furnace gases. A low velocity oxidant stream is injected through at least one oxidant injection side of the porous walls into the combustion zone and mixing furnace gases with the oxidant stream in a mixing zone within the combustion zone to produce an oxidant mixture. A fuel stream is injected through at least one fuel injection side adjacent to the oxidant injection side in the combustion zone. The oxidant mixture is mixed with the fuel stream to create a fuel-oxidant mixture.

Abstract: An improved method of producing a fluid filled elastomeric bladder for occupant weight sensing involves annealing the bladder material prior to its installation in a vehicle seat so as to quickly relieve initial stress due to stretching of the bladder material which occurs during fluid injection. In a preferred implementation, the initial stress is relieved by immersing the fluid-filled bladders in heated water for a time period on the order of 60 seconds or more. Alternatively, the bladder material may be heated with steam or radiant heat, by injecting heated fluid into the bladder, or by injecting heated air into an empty bladder before fluid injection. In each case the initial stress is quickly relieved, substantially eliminating a potential source of error in the sensed weight.

Abstract: An adhesive supply unit for melting solid and quasi/solid materials, such as polyurethane (PUR) and other hot melt adhesives, is disclosed. The unit features an air control system that automatically starts, when the hopper lid is closed, to remove moisture from the moisture laden air in the hopper interior by alternately applying a vacuum to the hopper interior and then replacing the air with plant air that has passed through a series of dryers and filters. The dryers/filters, valving mechanisms and tubing are mounted directly to the machine body with a panel bolted to the machine, eliminating the need for storing the air control system on a separate cart. A sensor verifies that the hopper lid is securely closed before automatically initiating the drying/purging cycles which are repeated a number of times to assure appropriate dehumidification of air to acceptable levels.