Drying and gas or vapor contact with solids – Process – With nondrying treating of material
Reexamination Certificate
2004-12-30
2008-07-29
Gravini, S. (Department: 3749)
Drying and gas or vapor contact with solids
Process
With nondrying treating of material
C034S138000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07404262
ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus for agricultural product production with heat and moisture control with optional heat and moisture recovery. Some embodiments transfer heat and moisture from a warm, moist exhaust air stream to incoming agricultural material, steam condition the material, pelletize the material into warm pellets, cool the warm pellets with make-up air to produce the warm, moist exhaust air used to transfer heat to the incoming material and to produce cooled pellets, wherein the cooled pellets are at a temperature lower than the warm moist air. In some embodiments, the system includes counter-flow devices to transfer heat and moisture. In some embodiments, a controller is used to adjust system devices and overall system flow. In some embodiments a water sprayer, to moisten agricultural product when the product is over dry, and an air flow controller, to slow air flow through the pellet dryer/cooler when ambient temperatures are dryer/cooler, are provided.
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Jurkovich John C.
Oliver Mark R.
Gravini S.
Lemaire Charles A.
Lemaire Patent Law Firm, P.L.L.C.
Pesco Inc.
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