Method and apparatus for re-hydrating dry crop with steam

A system for re-hydrating dry crop to be baled, comprising:

• (a) a steam generator having a steam outlet;
• (b) a steam distribution system coupled between said steam outlet and a location adjacent the dry crop to be re-hydrated;
• and
• (c) a source of heated gas coupled to said steam distribution system adjacent said steam outlet, with said heated gas being no greater than a minimum temperature required for maintaining said steam in its gaseous state when it comes into contact with said dry crop to be re-hydrated.

A system for re-hydrating dry crop to be baled, comprising:

• (a) a steam generator including a furnace including a combustion chamber having first and second ends;
• (b) a burner being coupled to said first end of said combustion chamber;
• (c) a fuel supply conduit being connected to said burner, whereby when fuel is present and ignited a flame will result in said combustion chamber thereby creating hot gas;
• (d) a boiler including a water reservoir located adjacent said combustion chamber and having a tube arrangement located in said reservoir and coupled to said second end of said combustion chamber for conveying hot gas from said combustion chamber through said water reservoir so as to cause the formation of steam;
• (e) said water reservoir having a steam outlet;
• (f) a heat exchanger coupled to said tube arrangement for receiving said hot gas;
• (g) a source of air coupled to said heat exchanger and to said steam outlet for supplying heated air for being mixed with said steam;
• and
• (h) a steam distribution system coupled between said outlet and a location adjacent said crop to be re-hydrated with said heated air being at no more than a minimum temperature required for maintaining said steam in a gaseous state at least until it reaches said location adjacent said crop to be re-hydrated.

A system for re-hydrating a dry crop to be baled comprising:

• (a) a steam generator for generating steam;
• (b) a source of hot gas;
• (c) a steam and hot gas distribution system being coupled between a location adjacent said crop to be re-hydrated and said steam generator and source of hot gas;
• (d) said steam and hot gas distribution system being so constructed and arranged that said hot gas is disposed in an insulating and energy transfer relationship to said steam;
• and
• (e) said source of hot gas being at a temperature no greater than a minimum temperature required for maintaining said steam in a gaseous state at a time when the steam comes into contact with said crop.