PROCESS FOR ADJUSTING THE MOISTURE CONTENT OF TOBACCO

摘要

A process for reordering tobacco, which results in no significant decrease in equilibrium tobacco CV or significant tobacco degradation, is provided. Tobacco to be reordered is contacted with an air stream having a relative humidity near the equilibrium conditions of the tobacco. As the OV content of the tobacco increases, the relative humidity of the air stream contacting the tobacco is increased to affect reordering of the tobacco. Also provided is a process for drying tobacco, which results in no significant change in equilibrium tobacco CV or significant tobacco degradation. Tobacco to be dried is contacted with an air stream having a relative humidity near or below the equilibrium conditions of the tobacco. As the OV content of the tobacco decreases, the relative humidity of the air stream contacting the tobacco is decreased to affect drying of the tobacco. It has been found that tobacco can be reordered or dried successfully in a continuous manner using a self-stacking spiral conveyor.