Steam atmosphere drying exhaust steam recompression system

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:869177

Becker, Frederick E ^[1]; Smolensky, Leo A ^[2]; Doyle, Edward F ^[3]; DiBella, Francis A ^[4]

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1. Reading, MA
2. Concord, MA
3. Dedham, MA
4. Roslindale, MA

This invention relates to a heated steam atmosphere drying system comprising dryer in combination with an exhaust recompression system which is extremely energy efficient and eliminates dangers known to air dryers. The system uses superheated steam as the drying medium, which recirculated through the system where its heat of evaporation and heat of compression is recovered, thereby providing a constant source of heat to the drying chamber. The dryer has inlets whereby feedstock and superheated steam are fed therein. High heat transfer and drying rates are achieved by intimate contact of the superheated steam with the particles being dried The dryer comprises a vessel which enables the feedstock and steam to enter recirculate together. When the feedstock becomes dry it will exit the dryer with the steam and become separated from the steam through the use of a curvilinear louver separator (CLS). The CLS enables removal of fine and ultrafine particles from the dryer. Water vapor separated from the particles in the CLS as superheated steam, may then be recovered and recirculated as steam through the use of a compressor to either directly or indirectly heat the dryer, and a heat exchanger or a heater to directly provide heat to the dryer. This system not only provides a very efficient heat transfer system but results in a minimum carry-over of ultrafine particles thereby eliminating any explosive hazard.

• Research Organization: Tecogen, Inc. (Waltham, MA)
• DOE Contract Number: FC07-89ID12826
• Assignee: Tecogen, Inc. (Waltham, MA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5291668
• OSTI ID: 869177
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

steam
atmosphere
drying
exhaust
recompression
relates
heated
comprising
dryer
combination
extremely
energy
efficient
eliminates
dangers
air
dryers
superheated
medium
recirculated
heat
evaporation
compression
recovered
providing
constant
source
chamber
inlets
whereby
feedstock
fed
therein
transfer
rates
achieved
intimate
contact
particles
dried
comprises
vessel
enables
enter
recirculate
dry
exit
separated
curvilinear
louver
separator
cls
removal
fine
ultrafine
water
vapor
compressor
directly
indirectly
exchanger
heater
provide
provides
results
minimum
carry-over
eliminating
explosive
hazard
ultrafine particles
provide heat
drying chamber
superheated steam
fine particles
water vapor
heat exchange
heat exchanger
heat transfer
intimate contact
efficient heat
steam atmosphere
fine particle
energy efficient
heated steam
ultrafine particle
atmosphere drying
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