A continuous freeze dryer having a hopper for supplying product to the inlet of the freeze-drying chamber via a sealed coupling with the inlet. A hopper valve allows the hopper to be sealed and evacuated with a product to be freeze-dried inside. An inlet valve of the freeze-drying chamber and a hopper valve may both be opened to provide a pathway between the hopper and the chamber whilst the hopper and chamber are maintained in an evacuated condition. The hopper may include an internal shell within an external shell with an evacuation port for evacuation a cavity between the shells. A hopper valve allows the supply of product to the freeze dryer via a hopper port. Product may be loaded into a hopper, coupled with the inlet of the freeze-drying chamber, evacuated, a hopper valve opened to supply product to the freeze-drying chamber, and the product conveyed through the freeze-drying chamber.

A poultry management device comprises a living area for the poultry, a collection device having a collection face for poultry droppings, the collection device being disposed below the living area, and a drying device configured for drying the poultry droppings on the collection device. The drying device comprises a fan element which is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis which is aligned at an angle of 45° to 90° in relation to the collection face.

A method of processing steel grit may include moving steel grit into a pre-classifier, weighing the pre-classifier with steel grit being processed by the pre-classifier, and altering a functional process to process the steel grit based on the weight of the pre-classifier including the steel grit. A machine for processing steel grit may include a pre-classifier configured to process steel grit to remove debris from the steel grit. A support member may be configured to support the pre-classifier. Multiple rotatable link assemblies may connect the pre-classifier to the support member to enable the pre-classifier to freely rotate as a function of gravity when supported from the support member. A weight sensor may be configured to weigh the pre-classifier including steel grit contained in the pre-classifier.

The invention relates to a heat exchanger for heating gas to a temperature in the range from 150 to 400° C., wherein the gas is heated by indirect heat transfer and all the surfaces of the walls of the heat exchanger which come into contact with the gas have been hot dip galvanized and the surfaces which come into contact with the gas, after the hot dip galvanization, have been heat treated at a temperature in the range from 400 to 750° C.

The invention further relates to the use of the heat exchanger.

The invention relates to a heat exchanger for heating gas to a temperature in the range from 150 to 400° C., wherein the gas is heated by indirect heat transfer and all the surfaces of the walls of the heat exchanger which come into contact with the gas have been hot dip galvanized and the surfaces which come into contact with the gas, after the hot dip galvanization, have been heat treated at a temperature in the range from 400 to 750° C.

The invention further relates to the use of the heat exchanger.

A spray drying apparatus has a spray drying chamber; a liquid feed atomizer; a drying gas disperser; a perforated bottom; and a plenum chamber with an outlet below the perforated bottom. At least one guide plate is provided in the plenum chamber to direct gas, which is passing through the perforated bottom into the plenum chamber, towards the bottom of the plenum chamber. The guide plates have lower edges extending on average down to at least half-way between the perforated bottom of the spray drying chamber and the bottom of the plenum chamber.

A spray drying apparatus has a spray drying chamber; a liquid feed atomizer; a drying gas disperser; a perforated bottom; and a plenum chamber with an outlet below the perforated bottom. At least one guide plate is provided in the plenum chamber to direct gas, which is passing through the perforated bottom into the plenum chamber, towards the bottom of the plenum chamber. The guide plates have lower edges extending on average down to at least half-way between the perforated bottom of the spray drying chamber and the bottom of the plenum chamber.

A low profile design air tunnel system and method for providing uniform air flow in a refractance window dryer are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a system comprises a conditioned air supply manifold that provides air into a drying chamber. The system has a drying belt directed through the drying chamber. A feed application tray at a first end of the drying belt applies a liquid to the drying belt. The system has an exhaust manifold located at the first end of the drying belt.

A method for producing a multimetal oxide catalyst comprises preparation of a precursor composition, exposing said precursor composition to elevated temperatures to activate the composition, and grinding the activated composition. The preparation of the precursor composition comprises: a) forming a plasticized precursor composition from the constituents of the composition; b) discharging the plasticized precursor composition from an extruder having at least one die to form extrudates; c) allowing the extrudates to drop onto a transfer surface disposed beneath the at least one die whereby the extrudates break into pieces which come to rest on the transfer surface; d) transferring the pieces to at least one drying chamber; and e) moving the pieces, through the at least one drying chamber on an air permeable drying conveyor belt; wherein steps b) through d) are carried out under reduced pressure. The method allows the production of a multimetal oxide catalyst with uniform characteristics. Fine particles of the multimetal oxide precursor that may be generated during extrusion of the plasticized precursor composition and handling of the extrudates are removed.

A heating apparatus for supplying heated air to a grain dryer or the like. The apparatus features a biomass furnace with a burn chamber for combustible biomass material, a chimney having a lower end in fluid communication with the burn chamber interior, and air ducting that has a fresh air inlet, an output end connected to the dryer, and directs heated exhaust air from the chimney to the dryer. An airflow control system is configured to both control airflow to the dryer through the air ducting, and control a temperature of said airflow by varying a ratio between the fresh ambient air and the heated exhaust air. The burn chamber has a chain gate with overbed and underbed circulation fans that generate airflow up through the chain grate, as well as tumbling air currents above the chain grate for thorough combustion and cleaner exhaust that won't contaminate the grain.