A material drying system, method, and control system therefor that provides for consistent and efficient drying of various materials is disclosed. In certain embodiments, a vacuum kiln can use various temperature measurements to reduce the chance of overheating the materials. In certain embodiments, a vacuum kiln (or a control system therefore) can use sensed information, such as the temperature differential across a platen assembly or the duty cycle of a vacuum pump, to determine when a large group of material has reached a substantially uniform dryness level. In certain embodiments, a vacuum kiln as disclosed herein can reduce checking, splitting, over-drying, and under-drying of material without requiring parameters from a user.

An apparatus for drying bulk material can include a housing defining a chamber, an inlet for receiving the bulk material into the chamber, and an outlet for discharging the bulk material from the chamber. At least one conveyor mechanism can be disposed within the housing and can be arranged to convey the bulk material from the inlet to the outlet. A ventilation system can be coupled to the chamber and configured to remove water vapor from the chamber. A method of drying bulk material can include receiving the bulk material into a chamber, conveying the bulk material within the chamber, removing water vapor from the chamber, and discharging the bulk material from the chamber. The system can be used to process peat moss or other bulk materials, such as soil, manure, wood pulp, vegetables, or other products.

An apparatus for drying bulk material can include a housing defining a chamber, an inlet for receiving the bulk material into the chamber, and an outlet for discharging the bulk material from the chamber. At least one conveyor mechanism can be disposed within the housing and can be arranged to convey the bulk material from the inlet to the outlet. A ventilation system can be coupled to the chamber and configured to remove water vapor from the chamber. A method of drying bulk material can include receiving the bulk material into a chamber, conveying the bulk material within the chamber, removing water vapor from the chamber, and discharging the bulk material from the chamber. The system can be used to process peat moss or other bulk materials, such as soil, manure, wood pulp, vegetables, or other products.

The present disclosure relates to environmentally-clean thermal drying systems and methods. In accordance with one aspect, a method for thermal drying includes receiving a grease-related waste, burning the grease-related waste in a furnace to generate heat energy, receiving a bio-waste in an indirect dryer at an adjustable feed rate, drying the bio-waste in the indirect dryer using at least some of the heat energy, and metering the bio-waste into the indirect dryer at the adjustable feed rate. The adjustable feed rate is adjusted based on a percentage of solids of the bio-waste before entering the indirect dryer and a temperature within the indirect dryer, where the indirect dryer and the adjustable feed rate are coordinated to achieve a predetermined percentage of solids in a dried bio-waste exiting the indirect dryer.

The present disclosure relates to environmentally-clean thermal drying systems and methods. In accordance with one aspect, a method for thermal drying includes receiving a grease-related waste, burning the grease-related waste in a furnace to generate heat energy, receiving a bio-waste in an indirect dryer at an adjustable feed rate, drying the bio-waste in the indirect dryer using at least some of the heat energy, and metering the bio-waste into the indirect dryer at the adjustable feed rate. The adjustable feed rate is adjusted based on a percentage of solids of the bio-waste before entering the indirect dryer and a temperature within the indirect dryer, where the indirect dryer and the adjustable feed rate are coordinated to achieve a predetermined percentage of solids in a dried bio-waste exiting the indirect dryer.

Modular system of drying humid material, comprising a drier housing having a material inlet and outlet, a drying gas inlet and outlet, a particle separator downstream of drier housing. Drier housing comprises drying chambers. The system further comprises an air fan, and a heater. A gas duct connecting drying gas inlet and drying gas outlet defines a closed loop. A condenser is arranged in gas duct. Drying chambers comprises a rotary impeller means, and drying gas inlets. A dried-hot product cooler comprising a housing having a dried-hot product inlet, a cooled dried product outlet, a cool air supply means, and a fan arranged to draw cooled air through dried hot product in cooler.

Modular system of drying humid material, comprising a drier housing having a material inlet and outlet, a drying gas inlet and outlet, a particle separator downstream of drier housing. Drier housing comprises drying chambers. The system further comprises an air fan, and a heater. A gas duct connecting drying gas inlet and drying gas outlet defines a closed loop. A condenser is arranged in gas duct. Drying chambers comprises a rotary impeller means, and drying gas inlets. A dried-hot product cooler comprising a housing having a dried-hot product inlet, a cooled dried product outlet, a cool air supply means, and a fan arranged to draw cooled air through dried hot product in cooler.

The invention relates to a belt drier arrangement for drying an aqueous polymer gel and for comminuting the dried polymer gel to give dried polymer particles, comprising: a drier setup for drying an aqueous polymer gel, a comminuting arrangement downstream of the drier setup relative to the product flow direction, for comminuting the dried polymer gel to give dried polymer particles. In accordance with the invention the comminuting arrangement comprises at least a first comminutor and a second comminutor, each having a rotatable shaft with functional tools, the second comminutor being disposed downstream of the first comminutor relative to the product flow direction.

The invention relates to a belt drier arrangement for drying an aqueous polymer gel and for comminuting the dried polymer gel to give dried polymer particles, comprising: a drier setup for drying an aqueous polymer gel, a comminuting arrangement downstream of the drier setup relative to the product flow direction, for comminuting the dried polymer gel to give dried polymer particles. In accordance with the invention the comminuting arrangement comprises at least a first comminutor and a second comminutor, each having a rotatable shaft with functional tools, the second comminutor being disposed downstream of the first comminutor relative to the product flow direction.

An oven has a first conveyor, a first burner that directs heat toward the first conveyor from above the first conveyor, and a second burner that directs heat toward the first conveyor from below the first conveyor. A method includes providing foodstuff on a conveyor, exposing the foodstuff to heat directed toward the foodstuff from above the conveyor, and exposing the foodstuff to heat directed toward the foodstuff from below the conveyor. Another oven has a first conveyor and first conveyor insulators that surround the first conveyor and define a first zone. Another method includes introducing foodstuff to a first conveyor belt within a first insulated zone, introducing heat into the first insulated zone, and retaining a portion of the heat within the first insulated zone. Another oven has an insulated cooking zone that closely envelopes a cooking path and an insulated oven zone that substantially envelopes the cooking zone.