process and apparatus for the drying of materials containing moisture, in particular for the ripening period of tobacco

摘要

Significant amounts of heat energy, otherwise wasted in the curing and drying systems previously known, are recovered and recycled in the multi-chamber system of the present invention to thereby significantly increase efficiency and reduce fuel requirements. Tobacco or other moisture containing material is cured and dried in batches in a plurality of individual chambers, with each chamber having suitable controls for individually controlling the temperature and humidity conditions of the curing air which is circulated through the chamber. Means and methods are disclosed for recovering and recycling the heat content of the heated exhaust air from the respective chambers, for using solar energy for further heating the air, and for recovering and recycling the heat energy of the batch of material as it is cooled down at the end of the curing and drying cycle.