IP Library Granted Patent US 8,863,404
Granted Patent B1
US 8,863,404 · App. 13/373,946 · Granted Oct 21, 2014

Apparatus and method for dryer performance optimization system

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,863,404
App. No.
13/373,946
Granted
Oct 21, 2014
Kind
B1
Abstract

A dryer performance optimization system comprising a dryer having an inner wall and being adapted to rotate at variable speeds and a variable frequency drive being adapted to vary the rotational speed of the dryer. The preferred system also comprises a baghouse having an inlet end being adapted to receive exhaust gas from the dryer and an outlet end and a controller being adapted to control the temperature of the exhaust gas from the dryer. A method for controlling the temperature of exhaust gas in a baghouse comprising providing a dryer performance optimization system as described herein and varying the temperature of the exhaust gas from the dryer by varying the rotational speed of the dryer.

Claims (38)

1. A dryer performance optimization system, said system comprising:

(a) a dryer, said dryer having a drum with a plurality of flights on an inner wall, said drum being adapted to rotate at variable speeds;

(b) a variable frequency drive, said variable frequency drive being adapted to vary the rotational speed of the dryer drum;

(c) a baghouse, said baghouse having an inlet end being adapted to receive exhaust gas from the dryer and an outlet end; and

(d) a controller, said controller being adapted to control the temperature of the exhaust gas from the dryer.

2. The dryer performance optimization system of claim 1 further comprising a burner, said burner having a variable firing rate and a variable amount of excess air.

3. The dryer performance optimization system of claim 1 wherein the controller is adapted to control the variable frequency drive.

4. The dryer performance optimization system of claim 1 wherein the variable frequency drive is adapted to vary the firing rate of the burner.

5. The dryer performance optimization system of claim 1 wherein the variable frequency drive is adapted to vary the amount of excess air in the burner.

6. The dryer performance optimization system of claim 1 wherein the variable frequency drive is adapted to vary the rotational speed of the dryer drum.

7. The dryer performance optimization system of claim 1 wherein the variable frequency drive is adapted to vary the speed of a dryer drum drive.

8. The dryer performance optimization system of claim 1 wherein the controller is adapted to determine the temperature of exhaust gas at the inlet end of the baghouse.

9. The dryer performance optimization system of claim 1 wherein the controller is adapted to determine the temperature of exhaust gas at the outlet end of the baghouse.

10. The dryer performance optimization system of claim 1 further comprising a mixing chamber.

11. The dryer performance optimization system of claim 1 further comprising a duct adapted to convey exhaust gas from the dryer to the baghouse.

12. The dryer performance optimization system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of flights on the inner wall of the dryer drum has a V-shaped notch.

13. The dryer performance optimization system of claim 12 wherein the V-shaped notch extends from the distal end of the flight toward the proximal end of the flight.

14. A dryer performance optimization system, said system comprising:

(a) a burner, said burner having a variable firing rate and a variable amount of excess air;

(b) a dryer, said dryer having a plurality of flights on an inner wall and being adapted to rotate at variable speeds;

(c) a variable frequency drive, said variable frequency drive being adapted to vary the rotational speed of the dryer, the amount of excess air in the burner and the firing rate of the burner;

(d) a baghouse, said baghouse having an inlet end being adapted to receive exhaust gas from the dryer and an outlet end;

(e) a controller, said controller being adapted to control the temperature of the exhaust gas from the dryer; and

wherein the controller is adapted to determine the temperature of the excess air at the inlet end and the outlet end of the baghouse and at least one of the plurality of flights includes a V-shaped notch.

15. A method for controlling the temperature of exhaust gas from a dryer, said method comprising:

(a) providing a dryer performance optimization system, said system comprising:

(1) a dryer, said dryer having a drum with a plurality of flights on an inner wall, said drum being adapted to rotate at variable speeds;

(2) a variable frequency drive, said variable frequency drive being adapted to vary the rotational speed of the dryer drum;

(3) a baghouse, said baghouse having an inlet end being adapted to receive exhaust gas from the dryer and an outlet end; and

(4) a controller, said controller being adapted to control the temperature of the exhaust gas from the dryer;

(b) varying the temperature of the exhaust gas from the dryer by varying the rotational speed of the dryer drum.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the system further comprises a burner.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

(c) varying the temperature of the exhaust gas from the dryer by varying the firing rate of the burner.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein at least one of the plurality of flights has a V-shaped notch.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the V-shaped notch extends from the distal end of the flight toward the proximal end of the flight.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

(c) varying the temperature of the exhaust gas from the dryer by varying the amount of excess air in the burner.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 2, 2025
From: ASTEC INDUSTRIES, INC.; ASTEC, INC.; ASTEC MOBILE SCREENS, INC.; BREAKER TECHNOLOGY, INC.; CARLSON PAVING PRODUCTS, INC.; JOHNSON CRUSHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; KOLBERG-PIONEER, INC.; POWER FLAME INCORPORATED; ROADTEC, INC.; TELSMITH, INC.; TERRASOURCE GLOBAL CORPORATION; CMI/CSI LLC; TABOR MACHINE COMPANY, LLC; ELGIN POWER AND SEPARATION SOLUTIONS, LLC; ELGIN SEPARATION SOLUTIONS INDUSTRIALS, LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 071787/0859 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME 062153/0169 Recorded Jul 2, 2025
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: ASTEC, INC.; ASTEC INDUSTRIES, INC.; ROADTEC, INC.; TELSMITH, INC.; CARLSON PAVING PRODUCTS, INC.; KOLBERG-PIONEER, INC.; BREAKER TECHNOLOGY, INC.; POWER FLAME INCORPORATED; ASTEC MOBILE SCREENS, INC.; JOHNSON CRUSHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; GEFCO, INC.
Reel/Frame 071787/0926 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2022
From: ASTEC, INC.; ASTEC INDUSTRIES, INC.; ROADTEC, INC.; TELSMITH, INC.; CARLSON PAVING PRODUCTS, INC.; KOLBERG-PIONEER, INC.; BREAKER TECHNOLOGY, INC.; POWER FLAME INCORPORATED; ASTEC MOBILE SCREENS, INC.; JOHNSON CRUSHERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; GEFCO, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 062153/0169 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 16, 2014
From: SWANSON, MALCOLM L.
To: ASTEC, INC.
Reel/Frame 033111/0187 →