Pulse combustion variable residence time drying system

A variable residence time drying system comprising:

• a drying chamber having a generally circular horizontal cross-sectional configuration comprising:
• a lower sidewall, wherein the lower sidewall has an upward expanding configuration that defines a lower inverted partial cone;
• an upper sidewall, wherein the upper sidewall has an upward contracting configuration that defines an upper partial cone;
• a central cylindrical section disposed between the upper partial cone and the lower inverted partial cone, wherein the central cylindrical section defines a shear/drying zone;
• a lifting rotor disposed within the lower inverted partial cone comprising a plurality of lifting vanes, wherein the lifting rotor is configured to rotate at a speed that suspends material being dried within the shear/drying zone;
• a pulsejet configured to produce heated drying gas and sonic vibrations and to tangentially introduce the heated drying gas and sonic vibrations into the shear/drying zone of the drying chamber, wherein the lifting rotor rotates in a direction counter to a direction in which the heated drying gas is introduced into the drying chamber;
• an opening through which moist material is fed into the drying chamber, wherein the opening is located relative to the pulsejet to introduce moist material into the drying chamber to receive shock waves from the pulsejet;
• and
• an exit through which dried material exits the drying chamber, wherein the exit is located at a top portion of the drying chamber.