The present invention relates to a process and a system for the at least partial removal or exchange of solvent from/in a suspension comprising microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), specifically the at least partial removal of solvent from a suspension comprising microfibrillated cellulose having a comparatively high solvent (water) content to a relatively lower solvent content. Accordingly, the solids content of the microfibrillated cellulose increases during the the step of at least partial removal of solvent from a suspension comprising process, in particular from a first solids content in the range of from 0.1% weight by weight (“w/w”) to 6% w/w, preferably 1% weight by weight (“w/w”) to 5% w/w, up to a second solids content of above 5% w/w, preferably to a solids content of from above 5% w/w-50% w/w, further preferably to a solids content of from above 5% w/w-25% w/w. In a separate aspect, a solvent exchange tep after the at least partial removal of a first solvent is also part of the present invention.

The invention relates to an extrude unit for a dryer (2) for biomass, in particular slurry, wherein the extruder unit (1) has a surface section (4) for the biomass to pass through and a plurality of apertures (3), wherein the extruder unit (1) comprises a base support (5) which is connected by means of a connecting section (6) to a driving element (7) and can be driven by means of the driving element (7) about an axis of rotation (8) and relative to the surface section (4), wherein the base support (5) comprises at least one support arm (9) having at least one scraper blade (10) which during a rotation of the base support (5) follows the shape of the face of the surface section (4) facing the scraper blade (10). According to the invention the base support (5) also comprises at least one breaker element (11) having at least one scraper blade (10) which during a rotation of the base support (5) also follows the shape of the face of the surface section (4) facing the scraper blade (10) and during the rotation of the base support (5) effects a crushing of constituents contained in the biomass which are retained by the surface section (4). The invention further relates to a dryer having at least one corresponding extruder unit.

Various implementations include a biomass dehydration system including a wet biomass chamber containing wet biomass, a belt or chain defining one or more cavities, two or more pulleys including a drive pulley that the belt or chain extend around and that are configured such that the cavities are disposable within the wet biomass chamber as the belt or chain moves along the pulleys to cause wet biomass to enter the cavities, and a drying chamber for dehydrating wet biomass disposed in the cavities into solid pellets. The drive pulley engages the belt or chain and causes the belt or chain to move around the pulleys. At least a portion of the belt or chain extends from the wet biomass chamber through the drying chamber. One of the pulleys includes one or more ejection protrusions for engaging the cavities and ejecting solid pellets from the cavities.

Disclosed is a method for thermally drying pasty products, in particular wastewater sludge, and a belt dryer implementing such a method. The principle consists of partitioning the drying operations and using, for each of the successive operations, a different quality of air: (i) hot air for “searing” the sludge, (ii) low temperature air, then (iii) cold air for quenching the sludge before the extraction of same. Also proposed are loops of air supply circuits making it possible to optimize the energy consumption of the dryer by reusing energy produced within these circuits. Moreover, the loops make it possible to recover unavoidable low temperature energy or cheap energy, further optimising the consumption of the dryer.

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.

An automated system for drying conditions of electrodes for secondary battery includes a transfer unit for transferring a preliminary electrode in which an electrode active material slurry is coated onto a current collector, a drying unit arranged along the transfer direction and dry the preliminary electrode, a sensor for measuring the electrode temperature of the preliminary electrode in real time and transmitting information to a system control unit, and a system control unit for receiving information from the sensors and adjusting the drying conditions, wherein the adjustment of the drying conditions is to change the conditions when the information received from the sensors satisfies the condition 1 or 2: wherein condition 1 is α, the electrode temperature increase rate of the preliminary electrode, and β, the electrode temperature increase acceleration of the preliminary electrode.

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 vibration unit assembly for a belt conveyor has a vibration element, and vibration generator and a connection assembly. The vibration generator is operatively connected to the vibration element for inducing vibrations in the vibration element. The connection assembly connects the vibration element to the belt conveyor so that the vibration element may move relative to the belt conveyor. A contact surface of the vibration element engages a material to vibrate and compress the material as it is transported on the belt conveyor. The vibration element may include a plate or a roller. A method for treating a material involves applying a vibration force and applying a compressive force to compact the material. A method for drying a material involves applying a vibration force to the material to release fluid and applying a compressive force to compact the material.

A process for producing superabsorbent particles by polymerizing a monomer solution or suspension, comprising drying of the resultant aqueous polymer gel in an air circulation belt drier, grinding, classifying, and optionally thermal surface postcrosslinking, wherein the aqueous polymer gel is introduced into the air circulation belt drier by means of an oscillating conveyor belt, the underside of the revolving conveyor belt is freed of adhering polymer gel by means of at least one stripper device, and the underside of the revolving conveyor belt is sprayed with water.

Devices, systems, and methods for drying a bulk waste product, such as animal waste, having a moisture content of 95% or more water can include a trough configured to receive the bulk waste product and to dispense it in a form suitable for convective drying, one or more conveyors having an air-permeable conveyor belt, each conveyor receiving the waste product from the trough and transporting the waste product along a transport path; and one or more air moving devices (AMDs) that pass air through the air-permeable conveyor belt and across the waste product as it is transported along the transport path to transform the bulk waste product into a dried waste product having a moisture content of about 5% to about 20%, inclusive.