Beloit Technologies, Inc.

Other

Stanley P Thompson

Kenneth J Zimmerman

A combustion chamber is provided that has a vertically oriented body with an inner surface defining an inner combustion area. A burner is disposed adjacent one end of the body so that the flame of the burner when lit will extend into the combustion area. A first annular insert is disposed in the combustion area and generally surrounds the flame of the burner. The annular insert defines a first secondary gas introduction zone for introducing secondary gases into the combustion area so that the secondary gases can be oxidized by the burner flame. The insert has an inner surface presenting at least one opening for allowing fluid communication between the introduction zone and the combustion area. A second annular insert is disposed in the combustion area below the first insert. The second insert defines a secondary gas extraction zone and a second secondary gas introduction zone located below the extraction zone. The gas extraction zone and second secondary gas introduction zone are separated by a divider plate. The gas extraction zone and second secondary gas introduction zone are generally separated by an annular inner wall which has openings therein to allow fluid communication between the combustion area and the extraction zone and second secondary gas introduction zone.

Combustion chamber to accommodate a split-stream of recycled gases

A process for drying a wet material in a drying system includes supplying a current of heated gas to a dryer from a combustion chamber. The material is exposed to the current in the dryer. The dried material is separated from the current of heated gas. The current of heated gas is split into a first stream of heated gas and a second stream of heated gas after the dried material has been separated. The first stream of heated gas is introduced into the combustion chamber so that the first stream is further oxidized therein. A third stream of heated gas is removed from the combustion chamber. The third stream includes at least a portion of the first stream. The second stream of heated gas is introduced into the combustion chamber so that it makes up a portion of the current conveyed to the dryer.

Process for splitting recycled combustion gases in a drying system

A combustion chamber has a vertically oriented body with an inner surface defining an inner combustion area. A burner is disposed adjacent one end of the body so that the flame of the burner when lit will extend into the combustion area. An annular insert is disposed in the combustion area and generally surrounds the flame of the burner. The annular insert defines a secondary gas introduction zone for introducing secondary gases into the combustion area so that the recycled gases can be oxidized by the burner flame. The insert has an inner surface presenting at least one opening for allowing fluid communication between the introduction zone and the combustion area. The opening is disposed tangentially to the insert inner surface to direct gases in rotational motion to define a film of gases adjacent the inner surface of the combustion chamber. The body of the chamber can include an outer shell and an inner cylindrical liner. The outer shell has a generally horizontal inwardly extending support shelf. The inner liner has an outwardly extending generally horizontal ridge positioned adjacent its upper end. The ridge rests on the shelf to support the liner in a hanging fashion so that the liner can expand and contract when subjected to temperature variations.

Combustion chamber

A dryer system has a combustion chamber, a dryer and a separator. The combustion chamber supplies heated gas to the dryer. Wet material is mixed with the heated gas in the dryer. The dried material is then separated from the gas in the separator. A method is used to increase the safety of the system. The method includes sensing the temperature of the dryer system. Further, if the temperature reaches a predetermined value, the combustion chamber is extinguished. Additionally, upon the temperature reaching the predetermined value, steam is introduced into the dryer system.

Safety method for a drying system

In a process for drying material in a drying system, a first current of heated gas is supplied to a first dryer from a corresponding first combustion chamber. Material to be dried is exposed to the first current in the first dryer. The dried material is separated from the first current of heated gas. The first current of heated gas is split into a first stream of heated gas and a second stream of heated gas after the dried material has been separated. The first stream is introduced into the first combustion chamber so that the gas generated in the first combustion chamber and the first stream are combined to constitute the first current of heated gas. At least a portion of the second stream is introduced into the second combustion chamber. A second current of heated gas is supplied to a second dryer from the second combustion chamber. The portion of the second stream introduced into the second combustion chamber constitutes a portion of the second current. Material to be dried is exposed to the second current in the second dryer. The dried material is separated from the second current.

Process for recycling combustion gases in a drying system

A horizontal dryer for solid material is the subject of the present invention. The dryer consists of a horizontal drum rotated about its horizontal axis, containing flighting around its periphery, and coupled with a heat source, all of which is well known in the prior art. The dryer of the present invention, however, both receives and discharges material at only one end and provides an inner tubular member, centrally mounted coaxially in the drum which member presents a preheating chamber. Material to be dried is first fed into the inner tubular member at one end of the drum and is moved through the tubular member by a plurality of curved flights thus preheating the material in preparation for drying. The material is moved through the preheating chamber to the opposite closed end of the drum where it is deposited into the primary drying chamber of the drum. Flighting in the drum moves the material back toward the inlet end of the drum as it continues to be heated and dried. The dried material passes out of the drum at the same end where it entered and into a hopper where it is moved by a conveyor. A hot gas stream, which flows counter-current to the first direction of travel of the material being dried, is directed to the open end that presents both the inlet and the outlet, from the opposite end, once the material being dried is dumped into the main drying chamber it, of course, travels a path that is concurrent with the flow of the drying stream of hot gases. An alternative embodiment of the invention provides a plurality of inner tubular members, each of which is provided with a plurality of internal curved flights. The material to be dried is passed through a first tubular member and into an adjacent tubular member by means of scoops such as described above. When the material has passed through each inner tubular member, it is then deposited into the primary drying chamber of the drum and continues as described for the preferred embodiment.

Method and apparatus for increasing dehydrator efficiency

A dryer consists of a horizontal drum rotated about its horizontal axis, containing flighting around its periphery, and coupled with a heat source, all of which is well known in the prior art. The dryer is open at only one end and provides an inner tubular member, centrally mounted coaxially in the drum which member presents a preheating chamber. Material to be dried is first fed into the inner tubular member at one end of the drum and is moved through the tubular member by a plurality of curved flights thus preheating the material in preparation for drying. The material is moved through the preheating chamber to the opposite closed end of the drum where it is deposited into the primary drying chamber of the drum. Flighting in the drum moves the material back toward the inlet end of the drum as it continues to be heated and dried and is then passed into a hopper where it is moved by a conveyor. A hot gas stream, which flows counter-current to the first direction of travel of the material being dried, is directed to the open end that presents both the inlet and the outlet, from the opposite end. An alternative embodiment of the invention provides a plurality of inner tubular members, each of which is provided with a plurality of internal curved flights. The material to be dried is passed through a first tubular member and into an adjacent tubular member by means of scoops such as described above.

An improved flighting for dryers is the subject of the present invention. An elongated drying drum is disposed for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The inner surface of the drum is provided with a plurality of material distributing vanes in circumferentially spaced relationship. The vanes are characterized by first surface extending generally transverse to a tangent to set body at the point of attachment and a second wedge-shaped surface intersecting the first surface. The wedge-shaped surface may also be provided with a lip extending circumferentially therefrom. A plurality of interference structures are disposed from a central longitudinal support and provide means for distributing material gravitating from the outer peripheral vanes. A plurality of return flighting members are disposed along the inner surface of the drum between the afore described material distributing vanes. These flighting members are disposed at an angle and conform generally to the curvature of the inner surface. A method of drying a product includes passing the product through a dryer, rotating the dryer, and comminuting the product while it is being dried.

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Topeka, KS, United States of America

Stanley P Thompson