Apparatus and methods for delivering a heated fluid

摘要

Apparatus and methods for delivering a heated fluid. The apparatus includes at least a preheat zone, an expansion zone, and an expanded zone comprising a plurality of trim heaters, at least one fluid flow-distribution sheet, and an outlet. The apparatus may be used for delivering the heated fluid onto a moving fluid-permeable substrate.

主权项

1. A method of passing a heated fluid through a moving fluid-permeable substrate, comprising:
preheating a fluid; passing the preheated fluid through an expansion zone; passing the preheated fluid through an expanded zone that is fluidly connected to the expansion zone and that comprises a downstream axis and a lateral extent and a tertiary extent,
exposing at least a portion of the preheated fluid to at least one of a plurality of trim heaters within the expanded zone,
which at least one trim heater of the plurality of trim heaters comprises a longitudinal axis that is at least generally orthogonal to the downstream axis of the expanded zone;passing at least a portion of the preheated fluid through at least one fluid flow-distribution sheet within the expanded zone; and, passing the preheated fluid through an outlet of the expanded zone onto the moving fluid-permeable substrate and passing it through the substrate; and, capturing and removing at least a portion of the fluid passed through the substrate, by a fluid-suction apparatus located on the opposite side of the substrate from the outlet.