An RF laundry dryer includes, amongst other things, an RF generator, an RF applicator having a perforated body supporting anode and cathode elements, a fan arranged relative to the perforated body to flow or draw air through the perforated body and an electromagnetic shield protecting the fan from the e-field. Both anode and cathode elements are operably coupled to the RF generator to generate an e-field between the anode and cathode upon the energizing of the RF generator.

A composite film is disclosed. The composite film includes a substrate, a thermal barrier layer located on top of the substrate, wherein the thermal barrier layer has a higher decomposition temperature than the substrate, and a thin film located on top of the thermal barrier layer, wherein the thin film is to be thermally processed by a pulsed light from a flashlamp.

A curing apparatus for thermally processing thin films on low-temperature substrates at high speeds is disclosed. The curing apparatus includes a strobe head, a strobe control module and a conveyor control module. The strobe control module controls the power, duration and repetition rate of a set of pulses generated by a flash lamp on the strobe head. The conveyor control module along with the strobe control module provide real-time synchronization between the repetition rate of the set of pulses and the speed at which the substrate is being moved under the strobe head, according to the speed information.

An apparatus for processing battery electrodes includes: a microwave applicator cavity with slots on opposite ends to allow a continuous sheet to move through the cavity in a first direction; a processing chamber constructed of microwave-transparent material, disposed within the applicator cavity and surrounding the continuous sheet, the processing chamber having slots to allow the continuous sheet to pass through it; a microwave power supply to deliver power to the applicator cavity; a source of heated gas providing a controlled gas flow through the processing chamber in a direction opposite the first direction; and, at least one non-contacting temperature measuring device positioned to measure a surface temperature at a selected location on the continuous sheet as it passes through the processing chamber. The apparatus is particularly suited for removing polar solvents from porous electrode coatings. A related method is also disclosed.

A process for drying wet organic solids to below 10 percent by weight is disclosed wherein an infrared drying system having a housing, a conveyor extending through the housing, at least one infrared heater located within the housing, and a fan for moving an airflow stream through the at least one infrared heater and onto the conveyor. Another step in the process can be providing and feeding wet organic solids onto the conveyor at a metering rate. In one embodiment, the wet organic solids have a moisture content of about 80 percent by weight. Moisture is removed from the wet organic solids by exposing the wet organic solids to at least one infrared heating element within the drying system and an airflow stream that has been heated by the at least one infrared heating element.

Apparatus, system and method for simultaneously drying a coating on a substrate using at least two different drying phenomena, for example, inductive heating and convective heating, or inductive heating and a combination of convective heating and infrared heating. A coating on a substrate is dried by generating heat in the substrate while simultaneously applying convective heat and/or radiant heat to the coating. Simultaneous drying refers to drying of the same region of a substrate at the same time, and in a particular embodiment, subjecting the same region of a substrate to inductive heating and convection at the same time. Preferably the substrate is at least partially conductive.

The present disclosure relates to technology for hybrid drying of industrial goods. Specifically, technology is described by means of which the thermal and electrical efficiency of a hybrid drying system can be improved. An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for energy-efficient hybrid drying of industrial goods such as raw materials, the drying method comprising the steps: providing a wet product; preconditioning the product by successively exposing it to a first air circulation circulated through a first air circulation device, and a second air circulation circulated through a second air circulation device; hybrid drying the product by simultaneously exposing it to microwaves generated by a microwave drying device and a third air circulation circulated through said microwave drying device; whereby the second air circulation comprises the spent first air circulation that is warmed up and dehumidified using a heat pump system such that the second air circulation has a lower relative humidity and a higher temperature than the first air circulation; whereby the first air circulation comprises the spent third air circulation, that is warmed up and humidified in the microwave drying device such that the first air circulation has a higher relative humidity and a higher temperature than the third air circulation.