A batch sample preparation apparatus (10) for preparing a geological sample for analysis is described and claimed. The apparatus (10) comprises a dryer (12) having a drying (chamber 52), a sample inlet (20) and at least one sample outlet (22), (24) communicating with the drying chamber (52), to a comminution device (14) in selective fluid communication via valves (26), (28) with the dryer (12) to selectively receive dried sample. The apparatus (10) has a source of fluid (74) introduced at the dryer (12) so that sample material may be transported from the dryer (12) to the comminution device (14) by fluid flow, which fluid flow also extracts the sample material from the comminution device (14) for collection and subsequent analysis.

An energy efficient a drying system and process using heated, dry air. The system includes an air inlet, a heat pump evaporator unit, a heat pump condenser unit, a drying unit, a heat exchanger unit, a fan, and air channels for transport of airflow from the air inlet through the system. The fan causes air to flow into the air inlet through the heat pump evaporator unit and to maintain an airflow through the system. The heat pump evaporator unit is configured to use a refrigerant to absorb heat from air that flows into the system through the heat pump evaporator unit. The heat pump condenser unit is configured to release the heat absorbed at the evaporator to the airflow. The heat exchanger unit is arranged to transfer heat from the airflow leaving the drying unit to the cold, dehumidified air flowing from the heat pump evaporator unit.

A vibratory fluidized bed dryer includes a deck with a surface on which a bed of materials is formed, the deck having apertures through which air passes to fluidize the bed of materials on the deck, a source of air coupled to the apertures in the deck to supply air to the bed through the apertures in the deck, and a vibration generator coupled to the deck. The deck has at least two zones, each zone having a different open area percentage, such that the air passing through each zone produces a different superficial velocity.

A polyethylene terephthalate purification apparatus comprises at least a reactor (4) which houses the plastic material to be purified, an opening connected to a vacuum pump, stirrers (16) to ensure the stirring of the plastic material inside of the reactor (4) and a heating mechanism comprising a microwave heating device to promote the excitation of the polar molecules.

Drying of recycled abrasive that can be recycled separated or as a part of the full recycling system. Sorted and meshed wet recycled abrasive is kept in a hopper for wet recycled abrasive, it is continuously delivered using a screw feeder into a drying chamber on a vibration mesh. Air is blown in the chamber, using an air flow generator, under a vibration mesh. The recycled abrasive is moved and lifted on the mesh using air flow and mesh vibration, this provides for clots of recycled abrasive to break down to particles of recycled abrasive and abrasive mixes and dries.

A fluidized bed dryer may include a deck, an eccentric, and a blower. A heater may or may not be included. The deck of the fluidized bed dryer may vibrate due to motion of the eccentric. The blower may blow air through the deck of the fluidized bed dryer to dry material on the deck. As the material dries, the material moves across the deck, due to the vibration. The deck bed depth may be increased, which may allow for even process air flow distribution and control of conveyance speed and residence time. The fluidized bed dryer may include a controller configured to implement a drying process that may include one or more of temperature, moisture content, and relative humidity data to optimize product throughput while ensuring a desired degree of dryness.

A method, a system and devices are for processing of at least one substance into a dried, fragmented and fluidized end product. The at least one substance is delivered in fragmented state from a fragmenting device to a fluidizing, drying and filtering unit. The at least one fragmented substance is subjected to fluidizing action from at least one set of rotary shovels while blowing a drying agent (DA), e.g. hot gas, hot air, vapor or superheated steam into a space of the unit. The drying agent, having passed through fluidized, fragmented substance(s), is sucked and filtered to let it exit a space at an upper end or lateral region thereof. Further, the fragmented, fluidized and dried substance(s) are caused to leave the space at a lower region thereof as the product. Humid drying agent exiting the space is at least partly de-hydrated and/or heated before re-entering the space.

An energy efficient a drying system and process using heated, dry air. The system includes an air inlet, a heat pump evaporator unit, a heat pump condenser unit, a drying unit, a heat exchanger unit, a fan, and air channels for transport of airflow from the air inlet through the system. The fan causes air to flow into the air inlet through the heat pump evaporator unit and to maintain an airflow through the system. The heat pump evaporator unit is configured to use a refrigerant to absorb heat from air that flows into the system through the heat pump evaporator unit. The heat pump condenser unit is configured to release the heat absorbed at the evaporator to the airflow. The heat exchanger unit is arranged to transfer heat from the airflow leaving the drying unit to the cold, dehumidified air flowing from the heat pump evaporator unit.

Methods and devices for agitating material. In some embodiments, an agitator is positioned in a receptacle to agitate material therein. The agitator may include a shaft, an arm extending from the shaft, and at least one knife extending from the arm. In some embodiments, the agitator may further include one or more agitator elements operably connected to at least one knife.

A vibratory dryer includes a conveying surface over which a bed of materials to be dried is conveyed, the surface having an inlet end and an outlet end, and passages through which air passes through the conveying surface to pass through the bed of materials on the conveying surface, a source of heated air coupled to the passages to supply heated air to the bed through the passages, and a vibration generator coupled to the conveying surface. The dryer also includes at least one rotary mixer having an impeller spaced from the conveying surface at a distance so as to be disposed within the bed, the at least one rotary mixer disposed along the length of the conveying surface between the inlet end and the outlet end. The at least one rotary mixer is adapted to provide uplift within the bed without de-densification of the bed.