Apparatus for drying a material
An apparatus for drying a material is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing, a superheated steam generator, inlet and outlet ports disposed relative to the housing and an extraction unit for extracting volatile substances from the atmosphere within the housing.
1. An apparatus for drying an extruded food product, comprising:
a housing for holding a gaseous atmosphere with superheated steam that includes an inlet port and an outlet port;
a means for generating a gaseous atmosphere with superheated steam inside the housing;
a first transport means for transporting the extruded food product through the inlet port into the housing;
a second transport means for transporting the extruded food product through the outlet port out of the housing;
an extraction unit for extracting volatile substances from a condensate of the gaseous atmosphere;
an adding station for adding the extracted volatile substances to a packing container; and
a packing station for packing the extruded food product that is transported through the outlet port out of the housing into the packing container.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inlet port is disposed at a free end of an inlet duct.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the inlet duct extends downwards from the housing.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the outlet port is disposed at a free end of an outlet duct.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a ventilation line communicates with the housing and has an exit aperture at a height below the housing and above the inlet port and the outlet port.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an extraction line communicates between the housing and a condenser.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first transport means, the second transport means, or both are comprised of a perforated conveyor belt.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , where a conduit is disposed along a partial section of the first transport means and communicates with the housing.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein a flow guide or sealing means is disposed between the conduit and the partial section of the first transport means.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second transport means extends as far as the packing station.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the extraction unit includes a spinning cone column for extracting volatile substances from the condensate from the gaseous atmosphere.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a circulation fan is disposed in the housing.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first transport means and the second transport means define a continuous transport means.
14. An apparatus for drying an extruded food product, comprising:
a housing for holding a gaseous atmosphere with superheated steam that includes an inlet port and an outlet port;
one or more generators for generating a gaseous atmosphere with superheated steam inside the housing;
a first moving support for transporting the extruded food product through the inlet port into the housing;
a second moving support for transporting the extruded food product through the outlet port out of the housing;
an extraction unit for extracting volatile substances from a condensate of the gaseous atmosphere;
an adding station for adding the extracted volatile substances to a packing container; and
a packing station for packing the extruded food product that is transported through the outlet port out of the housing into the packing container.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the first moving support and the second moving support define a continuous moving support.