Philip Morris USA Inc.

Philip Morris Inc.

Boris Lydell Kizzie

Gordon H Bokelman

Maria Shulleeta

Alfred Shahmoradian

Michael B Maher

Leonard W Lipscomb

John D M Bain

A tobacco curing enclosure includes roof vents, sidewall fan assemblies with heaters, a humidity augmentation system, and internal air circulation devices. Internal temperature and humidity monitors are connected with a control system for the fans, vents, heaters, humidity augmentation system and air circulation devices. The control system in conjunction with the enclosure allows humidity inside the enclosure to be controlled according to a predetermined schedule despite the ambient weather conditions, thereby enhancing the quality of cured tobacco.

Controlled ventilation air curing system

A facility and method steps for air curing tobacco in an enclosure include hanging the tobacco in the enclosure-having at least one vertically arranged air duct positioned in a central portion of the enclosure, at least one in-line fan positioned in a vertical portion of the at least one vertically arranged air duct, at least one ventilating fan located in an upper portion of the enclosure and at least one openable and closeable opening in at least one side wall of the enclosure. The humidity within the enclosure is lowered by opening the openable and closeable openings in at least one side wall of the enclosure and forcing warm air from the top of the enclosure down through the tobacco within the enclosure by operating the ventilation fans located in a top portion of the enclosure. Humidity is raised within the enclosure by closing the openable and closeable side openings and introducing water or other aqueous solutions into the vertical air ducts while operating the in-line fans within the air ducts to diffuse the moisture and drive it upwards for warming and uniform distribution throughout the barn.

Tobacco curing barn

A facility and method steps for air curing tobacco in an enclosure include hanging the tobacco in the enclosure having at least one vertically arranged air duct positioned in a central portion of the enclosure, at least one in-line fan positioned in a vertical portion of the at least one vertically arranged air duct, at least one ventilating fan located in an upper portion of the enclosure and at least one openable and closeable opening in at least one side wall of the enclosure. The humidity within the enclosure is lowered by opening the openable and closeable openings in at least one side wall of the enclosure and forcing warm air from the top of the enclosure down through the tobacco within the enclosure by operating the ventilation fans located in a top portion of the enclosure. Humidity is raised within the enclosure by closing the openable and closeable side openings and introducing water or other aqueous solutions into the vertical air ducts while operating the in-line fans within the air ducts to diffuse the moisture and drive it upwards for warming and uniform distribution throughout the barn.

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Hopewell, VA, United States of America

Boris Lydell Kizzie