Process for adjusting the moisture content of organic materials

摘要

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