A material drying system provides for consistent and efficient drying of organic materials, such as cannabis. In certain embodiments, a partial vacuum drying system is used to dry the materials and includes a container, a heating system, a depressurization system, and a control system. Air in the container is heated to within a range of temperatures and a low vacuum is applied to assist with evaporation. In addition, the volume flow rate of air pulled out of the container is monitored and maintained at a predetermined rate, which pulls moisture away from the materials so as to prevent degradation of the materials during the drying process while also reducing drying time. A relatively high air volume flow rate is maintained at low pressure by adjusting the area of an opening in the chamber.

A battery powered blow dryer having a novel battery cooling feature to simultaneously cool the batteries and improve hair dryer performance.

A battery powered blow dryer having a novel battery cooling feature to simultaneously cool the batteries and improve hair dryer performance.

Current technologies for restoring buildings and spaces, such as drying processes to remove water damage, are prone to technical error and operational error. A portable controller is herein provided to autonomously monitor and control restoration equipment, including drying equipment. The portable controller is in data communication with a server system, and the server system can remotely control the portable controller. The portable controller includes outlet receptacles to which the drying equipment is connectable. The portable controller includes a computer that autonomously determines when to provide electrical power and when to cut off the electrical power to the outlet receptacles, in order to respectively activate and deactivate the drying equipment. The portable controller also senses environment conditions and electrical power consumption caused by the drying equipment. This data is transmitted to the server system for storage and analysis.

Current technologies for restoring buildings and spaces, such as drying processes to remove water damage, are prone to technical error and operational error. A portable controller is herein provided to autonomously monitor and control restoration equipment, including drying equipment. The portable controller is in data communication with a server system, and the server system can remotely control the portable controller. The portable controller includes outlet receptacles to which the drying equipment is connectable. The portable controller includes a computer that autonomously determines when to provide electrical power and when to cut off the electrical power to the outlet receptacles, in order to respectively activate and deactivate the drying equipment. The portable controller also senses environment conditions and electrical power consumption caused by the drying equipment. This data is transmitted to the server system for storage and analysis.

A grain dryer has an upper plenum in communication with a pair of heating columns. Each heating column has an inner boundary and an outer boundary being formed with a plurality of angled containment baffles configured to funnel grain down the heating column while allowing heated air to be drawn from the upper plenum through the grain. At least one fan takes a suction from the ductwork to draw heated air from the upper plenum through the heating column such that grain is exposed to heated air. The orientation of the containment baffles forming the inner boundary directs the flow of the heated air in a downward direction through an inner portion of a grain column between the inner boundary and the outer boundary, and the orientation of the containment baffles forming the outer boundary directs the heated air in an upwards direction in an outer portion of the grain column.

A grain dryer has an upper plenum in communication with a pair of heating columns. Each heating column has an inner boundary and an outer boundary being formed with a plurality of angled containment baffles configured to funnel grain down the heating column while allowing heated air to be drawn from the upper plenum through the grain. At least one fan takes a suction from the ductwork to draw heated air from the upper plenum through the heating column such that grain is exposed to heated air. The orientation of the containment baffles forming the inner boundary directs the flow of the heated air in a downward direction through an inner portion of a grain column between the inner boundary and the outer boundary, and the orientation of the containment baffles forming the outer boundary directs the heated air in an upwards direction in an outer portion of the grain column.

A grain dryer has pair of heating columns in communication with an upper plenum, and a pair of cooling columns in communication with a lower plenum. A heater is located between the lower plenum and the upper plenum, wherein air is heated by the heater as air in the lower plenum is pulled through the heater and into the upper plenum. As the grain flows into the cooling column, it is exposed to cooling air being pulled through the cooling column into the lower plenum. A cooling air bypass system having a plurality of bypass tubes brings bypass air into the lower plenum from outside the grain dryer without having the bypass air come into contact with the grain being cooled in the cooling section. The cooling air bypass system includes a grill with an adjustable damper to adjust the amount of bypass air that flows into the lower plenum.

A grain dryer has pair of heating columns in communication with an upper plenum, and a pair of cooling columns in communication with a lower plenum. A heater is located between the lower plenum and the upper plenum, wherein air is heated by the heater as air in the lower plenum is pulled through the heater and into the upper plenum. As the grain flows into the cooling column, it is exposed to cooling air being pulled through the cooling column into the lower plenum. A cooling air bypass system having a plurality of bypass tubes brings bypass air into the lower plenum from outside the grain dryer without having the bypass air come into contact with the grain being cooled in the cooling section. The cooling air bypass system includes a grill with an adjustable damper to adjust the amount of bypass air that flows into the lower plenum.

A method of monitoring and controlling a freeze drying process in a freeze drying apparatus having walls, shelves and a number of vials or trays positioned on different areas of the shelves and containing product to be freeze dried. One or more vials or trays are selected that are representative of the positions of all of the vials or trays in different areas of the shelves. One or more heat flux sensors are positioned between the selected vials or trays and adjacent portions of the walls and/or shelves. The heat transfer between the selected vials or trays and the adjacent wall or shelf portions is measured during the freezing and drying stages of the freeze drying process.