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US 7,748,137 B2Granted
Wood-drying solar greenhouse
OwnerYin Wanginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of drying comprises placing a moist material inside a substantially enclosed solar greenhouse. The greenhouse comprises at least one light transmission roof and/or wall panel that is substantially transparent to solar radiation, but resistant to convective and conductive heat transfer. The interior temperature and humidity of the greenhouse are maintained within their pre-determined ranges while the interior moisture of the greenhouse is effectively reduced to allow a controlled drying of the material. A solar greenhouse for the drying process is also disclosed.
Claims12
A method of drying comprising:
- placing a moist material inside a substantially enclosed solar greenhouse, said greenhouse comprising at least one light transmission roof and/or wall panel that is substantially transparent to solar radiation having at least 40% transmission of solar radiation in 280 nm to 2500 nm range, but resistant to convective and conductive heat transfer having a thermal conductivity of less than about 1 W/mK;
- maintaining the interior air temperature between about 20° C. and about 65° C., and relative humidity between about 30% and 95% to facilitate consistent removal of interior moisture content of said green house and a controlled drying of said moist material such that the moisture content of said moist material reaches between about 10% and 50%;
- measuring moisture content of the interior and exterior air of said greenhouse;
- wherein said moisture content of air is defined as the ratio of kilogram of water vapor per kilogram of dry air and
- venting the interior air using an element for controlling ventilation if moisture content of the interior air is greater than that of the exterior air;
- wherein said element comprises an adjustable roof vent.
3 more elements
A method of drying comprising:
- placing a moist material inside a substantially enclosed solar greenhouse, said greenhouse comprising at least one light transmission roof and/or wall panel that is substantially transparent to solar radiation having at least 40% transmission of solar radiation in 280 nm to 2500 nm range, but resistant to convective and conductive heat transfer having a thermal conductivity of less than about 1 W/mK;
- maintaining the interior air temperature between about 20° C. and about 65° C., and relative humidity between about 30% and 95% to facilitate consistent removal of interior moisture content of said green house and a controlled drying of said moist material such that the moisture content of said moist material reaches between about 10% and 50%;
- measuring moisture content of the interior and exterior air of said greenhouse;
- wherein said moisture content of air is defined as the ratio of kilogram of water vapor per kilogram of dry air and
- venting the interior air using an element for controlling ventilation if moisture content of the interior air is greater than that of the exterior air;
- wherein said element comprises a thermostat controlled vent fan.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.