Microwave and vacuum drying device, system, and related methods
AssigneeInternational Research Institute iRI
InventorRobert Ernest Troxler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for drying at least one sample of material is provided. The method includes placing the at least one sample of material into a chamber and then sealing the chamber. The method includes applying a vacuum to the chamber in order to reduce the pressure therein. The method includes heating the at least one sample using electromagnetic energy while applying the vacuum to the chamber. The method includes measuring at least one condition of the chamber and determining that the sample is dry based on the at least one monitored condition.
Claims20
A method for drying at least one sample of material using a small portable field device, the method comprising:
- placing a sample of a road construction related material into an interior of a chamber;
- placing the chamber with the sample therein into a heating device;
- applying a vacuum to regulate pressure of the interior of the chamber, wherein the vacuum provides pumping forces to the chamber, thereby applying a pressure that induces fluid flow therein to the sample;
- applying heating to the sample using the heating device to regulate a temperature of the sample at a substantially constant regulated temperature while applying the vacuum to the interior of the chamber;
- and
- determining that the sample is dry based on the at least one monitored condition.
A field portable system for drying a sample of material, the system comprising:
- a sealable chamber including an interior sized and configured to house the sample of material, wherein the sample is a construction material from a road surface or material for use as a road surface, the chamber including an outlet;
- a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the chamber to evacuate air from the interior of the chamber through the outlet of the chamber thereby regulating a pressure of the interior of the chamber, wherein the vacuum provides pumping forces to the chamber, thereby applying a pressure that induces fluid flow therein to the sample;
- an electromagnetic wave source in communication with the chamber;
- and
- at least one controller configured to:
- operate the vacuum pump and the electromagnetic wave source;
- start and stop a drying operation using the vacuum pump and the electromagnetic wave source;
- monitor pressure and infrared radiation in the interior of the chamber;
- and
- determine that the at least one sample of material is dry based on the monitored pressure and infrared radiation,
- wherein heating is carried out by automatically adjusting the energy of the electromagnetic wave source to regulate a temperature of the at least one sample in concert with regulating the pressure of the interior of the chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.