Closed-loop drying process and system
US5343632A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 10, 1992 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 10, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P70/10
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A dryer is designed as a closed system in which heated air used to dry the materials is continuously recycled within the drying compartment of the dryer without being discharged to the atmosphere, thus increasing the efficiency of the system while preventing the discharge of contaminated vapors to the atmosphere and also conserving energy which would otherwise be required to heat or air-condition the air drawn into the dryer from the building in which the dryer is located. A regenerative heat exchanger and an atmospheric cooler/condenser are provided in the dryer and condense and remove moisture from the saturated air and transfer the heat of condensation back into the air before the air is reheated and recycled back to the materials to be dried. The drying compartment may comprise an enclosed tunnel through which a rack of superposed trays are conveyed or may comprise some other conveying mechanism.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.