A method for controlling a residual monomer content of a polymer, wherein when a hot-air temperature and a hot-air velocity are maintained, the controlling method can predict the content of the residual monomer by controlling a hot-air mass ratio without influence of other external factors.

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.

A drying apparatus can include a wet end portion, a dry end portion, and a drying chamber. The wet end portion can include a spray apparatus configured to apply a product puree to a belt, and the dry end portion can include a knife portion configured to remove a dry product from the belt. The drying chamber can extend between the wet end portion and the dry end portion and can include one or more table sections. Each table section can include a basin portion and one or more temperature control elements. The drying chamber can further include an air inlet and an air outlet such that air can flow through the drying chamber in a direction opposite a direction of the belt.

A shoe dryer including a main body, a shoe receiver provided inside the main body and configured to receive a shoe, a blower configured to blow air toward the shoe received in the shoe receiving portion, a camera configured to obtain an image of the shoe by photographing the shoe received in the shoe receiver, and a control device configured to recognize information about the shoe from the image of the shoe obtained by the camera, and control a direction of air blown by the blower based on the information about the shoe.

A shoe dryer including a main body, a shoe receiver provided inside the main body and configured to receive a shoe, a blower configured to blow air toward the shoe received in the shoe receiving portion, a camera configured to obtain an image of the shoe by photographing the shoe received in the shoe receiver, and a control device configured to recognize information about the shoe from the image of the shoe obtained by the camera, and control a direction of air blown by the blower based on the information about the shoe.

A drying device is configured with a sensor corresponding to an air knife-nozzle, and a control switch which suspends an operation of the device when the air knife-nozzle is detected as working abnormally, thereby preventing abnormal products from being produced due to the failure of finding an abnormal condition of the air knife-nozzle in time, ensuring the normal process of the product, and avoiding the nonessential economic loss.

A drying device is configured with a sensor corresponding to an air knife-nozzle, and a control switch which suspends an operation of the device when the air knife-nozzle is detected as working abnormally, thereby preventing abnormal products from being produced due to the failure of finding an abnormal condition of the air knife-nozzle in time, ensuring the normal process of the product, and avoiding the nonessential economic loss.

A hybrid kiln system and method for drying material, such as lumber, logs, and timber. A solar air heater uses solar radiation to heat air. The heated air is pushed into a kiln using one or more solar air heater fans. A dehumidifier is also provided to dehumidify and heat the air within the kiln. A method for determining when the solar air heater fans and the dehumidifier should be activated is also provided, and is based upon the temperature difference between the solar air heater's interior and exterior, as well as the relative humidity within the kiln.

The invention relates to a process for the thermal drying of wood using a drying plant comprising: a drying chamber (1); means for supplying CO2 (3) at a selected pressure and temperature; circulation means (307, 203) for forcing the circulation of the gaseous fluid; heating means (2) for heating the gaseous heat transfer fluid; extraction means (4) for extracting the air inside the drying chamber 1; metrology means (5) for measuring variations in the physical measurements of the drying plant during heating; and operating means (6) for controlling the means used according to programs, adapted to the quality of the dried wood sought, and processing means for readjusting the operating parameters.