Patent ID: 8323500
Filing Date: 2012-12-04
Classification: B01D,F26B

Abstract:
1. A process for drying solids comprising plant material initially wet with water, the process comprising: (a) combining a feed stream with a first solvent, the feed stream comprising solids, comprising plant material, having interstitial spaces therebetween and water present in the interstitial spaces, the first solvent having a heat of vaporization lower than the heat of vaporization of water and being soluble with water; (b) displacing the water present in the interstitial spaces with the first solvent to provide solids having the first solvent in the interstitial spaces; (c) combining the feed stream having the first solvent in the interstitial spaces with a second solvent, the second solvent having a heat of vaporization lower than the heat of vaporization of the first solvent and being miscible with the first solvent; and (d) displacing the first solvent present in the interstitial spaces with the second solvent to provide solids having the second solvent in the interstitial spaces.