| 摘要 |
<p>The invention provides drying apparatus (10; 100; 200; 300) comprising a first chamber (32; 132; 232; 332) for receiving articles to be dried and having an outlet (38; 138; 238), a second chamber (26;126; 226;326) having an outlet (28a; 128; 228; 328), and a fan (40; 140; 240; 340) having a fan inlet and a fan outlet, the fan inlet communicating with the outlet (38; 138; 238) of the first chamber (32; 132; 232; 332) and the fan outlet communicating with the second chamber (26;126; 226; 326), the apparatus (10; 100; 200; 300) further comprising a vacuum pump (30; 130; 230; 330) communicating with the outlet (28a; 128; 228; 328) of the second chamber (26;126; 226; 326), the arrangement being such that transfer of thermal energy can take place between the first and second chambers (32, 26; 132,126; 232, 226; 332, 326). The invention also provides a method of drying articles comprising the steps of:(a) placing the articles into a first chamber (32; 132; 232; 332);(b) evacuating a significant proportion of the air from the first chamber (32; 132; 232; 332) and from a second chamber (26;126; 226; 326);(c) evacuating water vapour from the first chamber (32; 132; 232; 332) to the second chamber (26;126; 226; 326);(d) allowing the water vapour to condense in the second chamber (26;126; 226; 326); and (e) transferring thermal energy from the second chamber (26;126; 226; 326) to the first chamber (32; 132; 232; 332).</p> |
