Patent EA-003727-B1 (EA)
Title: Humidification cylinder and method of humidifying material
Inventor: WAGONER STEVEN R
IPC: A24B3/18
Filed: 2001-02-07
Abstract: 1. A humidifying cylinder, comprising: a first rotatable cylinder having an inlet end and an outlet end and a plurality of first blades extending substantially radially outwardly from an exterior surface of the first cylinder; a second rotatable cylinder having an inlet end and an outlet end and a plurality of second blades extending substantially radially inwardly from an interior surface of the second cylinder, the second cylinder being substantially coaxial with the first cylinder and the first cylinder being disposed inside of the second cylinder such that the exterior surface of the first cylinder and the interior surface of the second cylinder define an annular space; at least one drive for rotating the first cylinder and the second cylinder; and at least one conduit disposed in the annular space for introducing moisture into the annular space. 2. The humidifying cylinder as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one conduit includes openings for introducing moisture at different locations in the annular space. 3. The humidifying cylinder as set forth in claim 2, wherein the at least one conduit permits introduction of different amounts of moisture at the different locations in the annular space. 4. The humidifying cylinder as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one conduit includes nozzles for introducing moisture as atomized droplets. 5. The humidifying cylinder as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one drive includes a single motor arranged to drive both the first cylinder and the second cylinder. 6. The humidifying cylinder as set forth in claim 5, wherein the at least one drive is arranged to drive the first cylinder and the second cylinder in a same direction of rotation. 7. The humidifying cylinder as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one drive is arranged to drive the first cylinder and the second cylinder in a same direction of rotation. 8. The humidifying cylinder as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one drive includes a first drive for driving the first cylinder and a second drive for driving the second cylinder. 9. The humidifying cylinder as set forth in claim 8, wherein the at least one drive is arranged to drive the first cylinder and the second cylinder in a same direction of rotation. 10. The humidifying cylinder as set forth in claim 1, wherein the inlet end of the first cylinder and the inlet end of the second cylinder are disposed vertically above the outlet end of the first cylinder and the outlet end of the second cylinder, respectively. 11. The humidifying cylinder as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first cylinder, the first blades, the second cylinder, and the second blades are sized such that, when the first cylinder and the second cylinder are rotated, material falls from second blades onto the first cylinder and then falls from first blades onto the second cylinder. 12. A process of humidifying of material, wherein a material is introduced in annular space between first rotatable cylinder, having an inlet end and an outlet end and a plurality of first blades extending substantially radially outwardly from an exterior surface of the first cylinder, and a second rotatable cylinder having an inlet end and an outlet end and a plurality of second blades extending substantially radially inwardly from an interior surface of the second cylinder, the second cylinder being substantially coaxial with the first cylinder and the first cylinder being disposed inside of the second cylinder such that the exterior surface of the first cylinder and the interior surface of the second cylinder define an annular space; the first cylinder and second cylinders are rotated, such that while rotating the first cylinder, a material falls from at least some of the second blades onto the first cylinder; and while rotating of second cylinder, material falls from, at least, some of the first blades onto the second cylinder; a material is moved in annular space from the inlet end of first cylinder and the inlet end of second cylinder in direction of outlet end of the first cylinder and outlet end of the second cylinder; and a moisture is applied on material in annular space. 14. Process according to claim 12, wherein moisture is applied on material in annular space as atomized droplets. 15. Process according to claim 12, wherein first cylinder and second cylinders are rotated by means of general drive. 16. Process according to claim 12, wherein first cylinder and second cylinders are rotated in one direction. 17. Process according to claim 12, wherein first cylinder is rotated by means of first motor, and the second cylinder is rotated by means of second motor. 18. Process according to claim 17, wherein first cylinder and second cylinders are rotated in one direction. 19. Process according to claim 12, wherein first cylinder and second cylinders are rotated with same rotation speed. 20. Process according to claim 12, wherein material is placed in annular space from inlet end of first cylinder and inlet end of second cylinder in direction of outlet end of first cylinder and outlet end of second cylinder under gravity.