Apparatus and process for drying granular products
US4347670A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 28, 1980 |
| Grant date | Sep 7, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 28, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B2206/046
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus for drying seeds and other granular products includes a drying vessel that is connected to a vacuum pump which evacuates air from its interiors. The drying vessel has an enclosing side wall and a tubular portion which is surrounded by the side wall, all such that an annular drying cavity is formed within the vessel. The tubular portion is made from a material that is transparent to microwave energy and houses waveguide-radiators, each of which is connected to a different microwave launcher that is located at the lower end of the transparent tubular portion. The launchers produce microwave energy that is directed into their respective waveguide-radiators which in turn allow the energy to escape through apertures in their side walls. This energy passes through the transparent tubular portion of the drying vessel and into the drying cavity of the vessel. Within the annular drying cavity, the vessel contains drying columns into which the granular product is directed. The columns are formed from a material that is transparent to the microwave energy and are offset angularly with respect to the waveguide-radiators, so the microwave energy emitted from the apertures for the m…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.