Apparatus and method for drying relatively small lots of products

A system of automated drying of small lots of product comprising:

• a portable bin defining a drying chamber and having an air permeable floor;
• a docking plenum having a mount adapted to removably receive a bin, an air entrance, and an air outlet positioned at the mount;
• a weighing device operatively positioned and adapted to weigh the bin and any contents therein;
• an air mixing plenum having a warmer air inlet, a cooler air inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the air entrance of the docking plenum;
• a warmer air plenum in fluid communication with the warmer air inlet of the air mixing plenum;
• a cooler air plenum in fluid communication with the cooler air inlet of the air mixing plenum;
• one or more blowers in fluid communication with the warmer air and cooler air plenums;
• a heater positioned in one or both of the cooler and warmer air plenums;
• an air flow control mechanism in the air pathway between the air mixing plenum and an air exhaust;
• a metering member to adjust the amount of warmer and cooler air from the air mixing plenum to adjust the temperature of air in the mixing plenum;
• a temperature sensor at or near the docking plenum;
• a air pressure or velocity sensor at or near the docking plenum;
• and
• a programmable controller in electrical communication with the platform scale, air flow control, metering member, temperature sensor, air pressure or velocity sensor, blower, and heater.