Process and apparatus for desiccation
AssigneeSociete' De Gestion Et De Diffusion North America, Inc.
InventorJohn T. Connor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a process and apparatus for desiccation in which the exterior walls of the apparatus are heated and cooled in synchronization with the interior of the apparatus to avoid temperature gradients and inconsistent desiccation of material placed within the apparatus. The apparatus wall temperature regulating means also allows for more accurate sterilization of the apparatus after the desiccation process has been completed.
Claims16
A desiccation apparatus for removing water from material comprising:
- a. a desiccation chamber having walls;
- b. means operably provided within said desiccation chamber for supporting the material;
- c. a trap chamber having walls;
- d. means operably connecting said desiccation chamber to said trap chamber for allowing passage of water vapor from said desiccation chamber to said trap chamber;
- e. a trap operably provided within said trap chamber;
- f. means operably connected to said supporting means for regulating the temperature of said supporting means;
- g. means operably connected to said trap for regulating the temperature of said trap;
- and
- h. means operably connected to said walls of said desiccation chamber for regulating the temperature of said walls of said desiccation chamber.
A desiccation apparatus for removing water from material comprising:
- a. a desiccation chamber having walls;
- b. a rack operably provided within said desiccation chamber, in supporting relationship of the material;
- c. a trap chamber having walls;
- d. means operably connecting said desiccation chamber to said trap chamber for allowing passage of water vapor from said desiccation chamber to said trap chamber;
- e. a trap operably provided within said said trap chamber;
- f. a primary set of heat-carrying fluid circulating tubes operably connected to said walls of said desiccation chamber;
- g. a secondary set of heat-carrying fluid circulating tubes operably connected to said rack;
- h. a tertiary set of heat-carrying fluid circulating tubes operably connected to said walls of said trap chamber;
- i. a quaternary set of heat-carrying fluid circulating tubes operably connected to said trap;
- j. means operably connecting said primary set of heat-carrying fluid circulating tubes to said secondary set of heat-carrying fluid circulating tubes in a manner which allows said rack to be maintained at substantially the same temperature as said walls of said desiccation chamber;
- and
- k. means operably connecting said tertiary set of heat-carrying fluid circulating tubes to said quaternary set of heat-carrying fluid circulating tubes in a manner which allows said trap to be maintained at substantially the same temperature as said walls of said trap chamber.
A method for desiccating a material comprising:
- a. operably connecting a desiccation chamber having walls and a rack, to a trap chamber having walls and a trap, in a manner which allows passage of water vapor from said desiccation chamber to said trap chamber;
- cooling said rack to a predetermined temperature;
- and
- cooling said walls of said desiccation chamber by pumping a heat-carrying fluid through set of heat-carrying fluid circulating tubes traversing said walls of said desiccation chamber.
A method for desiccating a material comprising:
- a. operably connecting a desiccation chamber having walls and a rack, to a trap chamber having walls and a trap, in a manner which allows passage of water vapor from said desiccation chamber to said trap chamber;
- b. heating said rack to a predetermined temperature;
- and
- c. heating said walls of said desiccation chamber by pumping a first heat-carrying fluid through a primary set of heat-carrying fluid circulating tubes traversing said walls of said desiccation chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.