Drying system
AssigneeThe Mead Corporation
InventorRobert R. Rounsley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A drying system and method for removing volatile liquid from a liquid bearing web of material by evaporation includes means for moving the liquid bearing web of material through a drying station and heating means, positioned at the drying station, for applying evaporation energy to the liquid bearing web of material to effect evaporation of the volatile liquid from the web. Electrostatic means is provided for subjecting the web of material to a static electrical field at the drying station, whereby the evaporation of volatile liquid from the web is enhanced. Evaporation energy may be applied to the liquid bearing web by bringing a heated surface in contact with the web or by irradiating the web with infrared energy. Alternatively, evaporation energy may be applied to the liquid bearing web by directing heated air against the web.
Claims11
A drying system for removing volatile liquid from a liquid bearing web of material by evaporation, comprising:
- means for moving a liquid bearing web of material through a drying station,
- heating means, including means on a first side of said web for directing heated air against said first side of a portion of said web at said drying station, for applying evaporation energy to said liquid bearing web of material to effect evaporation of said liquid from said web, and
- electrostatic means, on a second side of said web directly opposite said heating means, for simultaneously subjecting said portion of said web of material to a static electrical field at said drying station, whereby the evaporation of volatile liquid from said web is enhanced, said electrostatic means comprising:
- a plurality of electrodes positioned at said drying station and spaced apart along said web on a second side thereof opposite said first side, said electrodes being positioned directly opposite said heating means, and
- means for supplying a first static electrical potential to selected ones of said electrodes, and for supplying a second static electrical potential to the others of said electrodes.
A method for removing volatile liquid from a liquid bearing web of material by evaporation, comprising the steps of:
- (a) moving a liquid bearing web of material through a drying station,
- (b) directing heated air against a portion of a first side of said liquid bearing web to effect evaporation of said liquid, and
- (c) simultaneously subjecting substantially all of said portion of said liquid bearing web of material to a static electrical field provided by electrostatic means comprising a plurality of electrodes positioned at said drying station along said web on a second side thereof opposite said first side, and means for supplying a first static electrical potential to selected ones of said electrodes and for supplying a second static electrical potential to the others of said electrodes, whereby evaporation of said liquid from said web is enhanced by simultaneously subjecting substantially all of said portion of said web to both heated air and a static electrical field.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.