A system and method for staged drying of temperature sensitive materials, the method comprising the following steps. Heated air is blown into a duct and solids are introduced into the duct at an elevated position along a vertical portion of the duct. The heated air and solids mixture is then transported along the duct for a desired retention time with adequate initial flash heating of the solids and then a gradual cool down of the solids. The solids are at an elevated temperature beyond the ambient dewpoint with evaporative cooling taking place. The solids and air mixture is then transported in the duct to a cyclone, where the solids are removed from the air. The air is exhausted out of the cyclone by an exhaust duct, and the solids are collected from the cyclone in a container.

Systems and methods are provided for drying plant material using molecular sieves.

The disclosure provides an example food dehydrator apparatus for treating food waste and methods for use thereof. The apparatus includes: (a) a receptacle having a bottom support, a top support, and a cylindrical sidewall extending therebetween, where the receptacle has an interior cavity, where the top support has a first opening configured to receive the food waste, and where the bottom support has a first opening to release dehydrated food waste, (b) a load door, (c) a shaft rotatably arranged within the receptacle, (d) a gear motor coupled to the shaft, (e) a first plurality of paddles, (f) a second plurality of paddles, where the first and second plurality of paddles are static, (g) a third plurality of paddles, (h) a fourth plurality of paddles, (i) at least one heat source, and (j) a gate coupled to the bottom support of the receptacle.

The disclosure provides an example food dehydrator apparatus for treating food waste and methods for use thereof. The apparatus includes: (a) a receptacle having a bottom support, a top support, and a cylindrical sidewall extending therebetween, where the receptacle has an interior cavity, where the top support has a first opening configured to receive the food waste, and where the bottom support has a first opening to release dehydrated food waste, (b) a load door, (c) a shaft rotatably arranged within the receptacle, (d) a gear motor coupled to the shaft, (e) a first plurality of paddles, (f) a second plurality of paddles, where the first and second plurality of paddles are static, (g) a third plurality of paddles, (h) a fourth plurality of paddles, (i) at least one heat source, and (j) a gate coupled to the bottom support of the receptacle.

An apparatus (10; 20; 30; 40; 60) for removing moisture from a surface (522) in a container (500; 500.sub.1, 500.sub.2; 500′), characterized by: a centrifuging element comprising a mount (140; 140.sub.1, 140.sub.2) for attaching said container (500; 500.sub.1, 500.sub.2; 500′) to said centrifuging element and a drive (105) coupled to said mount (140; 140.sub.1, 140.sub.2) for rotating said attached container (500; 500.sub.1, 500.sub.2; 500′) and centrifuging said moisture off said surface (522) in said attached container (500; 500.sub.1, 500.sub.2; 500′); and a heating element (200) for providing heat energy and evaporating said moisture from said surface (522) in said attached container (500; 500.sub.1, 500.sub.2; 500′), and a corresponding method.

An apparatus (10; 20; 30; 40; 60) for removing moisture from a surface (522) in a container (500; 500.sub.1, 500.sub.2; 500′), characterized by: a centrifuging element comprising a mount (140; 140.sub.1, 140.sub.2) for attaching said container (500; 500.sub.1, 500.sub.2; 500′) to said centrifuging element and a drive (105) coupled to said mount (140; 140.sub.1, 140.sub.2) for rotating said attached container (500; 500.sub.1, 500.sub.2; 500′) and centrifuging said moisture off said surface (522) in said attached container (500; 500.sub.1, 500.sub.2; 500′); and a heating element (200) for providing heat energy and evaporating said moisture from said surface (522) in said attached container (500; 500.sub.1, 500.sub.2; 500′), and a corresponding method.

A method to control operation of a laundry dryer. The method includes starting a drying cycle, and receiving a user input command through one of a first interface and a second interface. If the command is provided through the first interface, a first working routine is started. If the same command is provided through the second interface, a second working routine is started. The second routing is different in at least one operational parameter than the first working routine. A laundry dryer configured to perform the method is also provided.

The invention relates to a process and apparatus for ultrasonic assisted drying of materials, in particular, but not exclusively, for the low temperature drying of materials that are heat sensitive. In particular, there is provided an apparatus for dehydration of water containing material comprising: an ultrasound emitter; an ultrasound transmission platform that directly or indirectly supports said material; a fluid retained between said emitter and said platform, through which ultrasound energy is transferred; and a gas stream device that directs drying gas to said material. There is also provided a method of dehydration of water containing material comprising locating the material either directly or indirectly on an ultrasound transmission platform of a dehydration apparatus that comprises: an ultrasound emitter; a fluid retained between said emitter and said platform, through which ultrasound energy is transferred; and a gas stream device that directs drying gas to said material; and exposing said material to ultrasound energy and drying gas flow for a time and under conditions suitable to achieve desired extent of dehydration of said material. In another aspect there is provided a material that has been dehydrated using the method or apparatus described above.

The invention relates to a process and apparatus for ultrasonic assisted drying of materials, in particular, but not exclusively, for the low temperature drying of materials that are heat sensitive. In particular, there is provided an apparatus for dehydration of water containing material comprising: an ultrasound emitter; an ultrasound transmission platform that directly or indirectly supports said material; a fluid retained between said emitter and said platform, through which ultrasound energy is transferred; and a gas stream device that directs drying gas to said material. There is also provided a method of dehydration of water containing material comprising locating the material either directly or indirectly on an ultrasound transmission platform of a dehydration apparatus that comprises: an ultrasound emitter; a fluid retained between said emitter and said platform, through which ultrasound energy is transferred; and a gas stream device that directs drying gas to said material; and exposing said material to ultrasound energy and drying gas flow for a time and under conditions suitable to achieve desired extent of dehydration of said material. In another aspect there is provided a material that has been dehydrated using the method or apparatus described above.

The present disclosure provides for a portable drying mechanism. The mechanism may comprise a grip, shaft, neck, drying panels, and a tip. The shaft may comprise a button to modify the configuration of the portable drying mechanism. The button may release interchangeable components of the portable drying mechanism. The button may allow the shaft to extend. The button may activate an electrical or manual drying response such as, but not limited to, a water vacuum or rotating drying material. The shaft may comprise a hollow cavity for material retention. The shaft may comprise a telescoping aspect that allows for extension and retraction. The neck may comprise a flexible portion to dry containers with complex shapes. The tip may comprise a sensor to verify dryness within a container. The drying panels may comprise a predetermined shape and material that allow the drying panels to dry containers and hard-to-reach areas.