Apparatus and method for batch drying using a microwave vacuum system

A product container for use in a microwave vacuum drying mechanism, comprising, in combination:

• a basin with an open top;
• agitation means for agitating product within the basin, including a plurality of paddles rotating about a shaft within the product container;
• and
• attachment means for attaching the basin inside the microwave drying mechanism, the attachment means being adapted to allow the basin to rotate for product dumping such that the open top is directed downwardly.

A drying chamber for a microwave vacuum drying mechanism adapted for batch drying and capable of holding a product container, the mechanism including a structure adapted to rotationally agitate the product being dried, the chamber comprising, in combination:

• a shell internally reflective of microwaves;
• a removable chamber head that mates with the shell at a joint;
• a heating jacket surrounding the shell and chamber head, and separable into two parts at the joint between the shell and chamber head;
• a conductive, flexible seal at the joint between the shell and the chamber head;
• a drive motor mounted on the chamber head, the motor being adapted to drive the agitation structure;
• a first support for the product container, the support being mounted within the chamber;
• a second support for the chamber head when the chamber head is both open and closed.

A mechanism for batch drying of powdered or particulate product through combined application of a microwave field and a vacuum to the product, the mechanism having a source of microwave radiation and vacuum producing structure, the mechanism comprising, in combination:

• a drying chamber in which the vacuum and microwave field are applied to the product, the chamber having a microwave reflective interior and removable chamber head;
• a product container integrally mounted on the chamber head such that removal of the chamber head extracts the container from the chamber, with the product container being rotatable for product dumping and relatively transparent to microwave radiation;
• an agitation mechanism integrally mounted to the product container and configured to move product within the prodcut container during microwave vacuum drying, the agitation mechanism being relatively transparent to microwave radiation;
• and
• a drive system for the agitation mechanism, the drive system being external to the chamber.