Drying apparatus for metallic belt processed in a fluid

摘要

In an apparatus capable of drying metallic belts or strands of varying widths, a hot air blowing system is arranged such that the effective width of the hot-air flow is selectively adjusted according to the width of each belt intended to be dried. The otherwise present but now excess hot air produced when narrower belt widths are dried is then directed to the suction or inlet side of the air blower to thereby recover otherwise lost heated air. This recycled heated air is redirected back to the air blower to thereby conserve energy at the heat exchanger which is used to heat the air. The quantity of hot air passing per unit time corresponding to a decreased belt width may also be adjusted by means of a valve of the blower system, thereby lowering the heating energy needed to be supplied to the heat exchanger.