Patent ID: 6536133
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: A23B,F26B,H05B,Y02A,Y02P

Abstract:
Apparatus for reducing the moisture content of harvested crops comprising:a treatment chamber having a path of movement of crop particles therethrough, said chamber having a particle entry port and a particle exit port spaced apart from one another, between which said crop particles pass along a path of particle flow; a magnetron mounted to said treatment chamber so disposed and arranged as to emit microwave energy into said crop particles and vaporizing at least some of their moisture as the particles flow through the chamber; a source of heated air, said treatment chamber having a heated air inlet and a heated air outlet spaced apart from one another and so disposed and arranged that heated air from said source flows through said crop particles, warming them as they flow through the chamber and vaporizing water on the particles; whereby the heated air stream sweeps with it water which has been vaporized by said heated air and also by the microwave energy.