HOPPER DRYER FOR PARTICULATE MATERIAL

摘要

Improved drying apparatus is disclosed which maintains the even flow of material to be dried through a drying vessel in countercurrent flow to a drying gas and maintains the residence time of material in the vessel at a constant value. In prior art systems, material tends to accumulate along the periphery of the drying vessel. In accordance with the present invention, a moveable means is placed at the bottom of the drying vessel which effects a predetermined and selectable spatial non-uniformity in the flow of material through the hopper body. The improved apparatus has the effect of preventing peripheral accumulation of the material or "hilling" in the dryer to the end that there is uniform flow and drying of the material passing therethrough.