Infrared wood product dryer

An infrared radiant energy dryer for drying particulate material comprising:

• a material inlet configured for receiving a continuous stream of a particulate material;
• a material outlet;
• conveying means for conveying the particulate material along a material flow path between said inlet and said outlet;
• means including an infrared radiant energy source for exposing the particulate material to infrared radiant energy during said conveyance along said path;
• and
• agitating means for agitating the particulate material during said conveyance along said path, for increasing the exposure of the particulate material to said infrared radiant energy, wherein said agitating means includes an elongated rotary agitator positioned adjacent to said conveying means.

An infrared radiant energy dryer for drying particulate moisture-bearing material comprising:

• a material inlet configured for receiving a continuous stream of a particulate material;
• a material outlet;
• conveying means for conveying the particulate material along a material flow path between said inlet and said outlet;
• means including an infrared radiant energy source for exposing the particulate material to infrared radiant energy during said conveyance along said path, said energy source comprising a flameless catalytic gas-fired heater operating at a temperature of from about 700.degree.-900.degree. F., said infrared radiant energy having a wavelength similar to the absorption spectrum of said material and the moisture therein to enhance drying of the material;
• and
• agitating means for agitating the particulate material during said conveyance along said path, for increasing the exposure of the particulate material to said infrared radiant energy.

An infrared radiant energy dryer for drying particulate moisture-bearing material comprising:

• a material inlet configured for receiving a continuous stream of a particulate material;
• a material outlet;
• conveying means for conveying the particulate material along a material flow path between said inlet and said outlet;
• means including an infrared radiant energy source for exposing the particulate material to infrared radiant energy during said conveyance along said path, said source emitting infrared radiant energy having a wavelength between about 3-7 microns, said wavelength being similar to the absorption spectrum of said particulate material and the moisture therein to enhance drying of the particulate material;
• and
• agitating means for agitating the particulate material during said conveyance along said path, for increasing the exposure of the particulate material to said infrared radiant energy.

A method of drying a particulate moisture-bearing material comprising the steps of:

• conveying a particulate material along a material flow path;
• exposing the material to infrared radiant energy having a wavelength of between about 3-7 microns during said conveyance along said path, said wavelength being similar to the absorption spectrum of said particulate material and the moisture therein to enhance drying of the particulate material;
• and
• agitating the material during said conveyance along said path.