초록 ▼

An improved apparatus, and related method of operation, is described for rapidly drying large monoliths of glass, ceramic and/or composite material, under subcritical conditions, while minimizing the risk of cracking the monolith during the drying process. The apparatus incorporates a pressure chamb

An improved apparatus, and related method of operation, is described for rapidly drying large monoliths of glass, ceramic and/or composite material, under subcritical conditions, while minimizing the risk of cracking the monolith during the drying process. The apparatus incorporates a pressure chamber for carrying the monolith to be dried, with no significant limitation on the size of the monolith relative to the size of the chamber. The monolith is initially immersed in a suitable drying solvent, and the temperature of the pressure chamber is raised to a predetermined value below the solvent's critical temperature, which raises the pressure to a predetermined value, likewise below the solvent's critical pressure. At a selected time during the drying process the pressure chamber is connected to a diffusion chamber, to draw away and condense solvent vapor. This drawing away of solvent vapor continues until the monolith is dry, at which time the pressure chamber is purged with an inert gas and then depressurized in a controlled manner. The apparatus thereby is configured to dry the monolith at an even lower subcritical pressure than previous apparatus of this kind, leading to increased safety and reduced operating expenses.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] Apparatus for drying a wet, porous monolith having a matrix that carries a liquid in its pores, comprising:a pressure container that defines a pressure chamber sized to receive the porous monolith, immersed in a predetermined drying solvent;a diffusion container that defines a diff

[ We claim:] [1.] Apparatus for drying a wet, porous monolith having a matrix that carries a liquid in its pores, comprising:a pressure container that defines a pressure chamber sized to receive the porous monolith, immersed in a predetermined drying solvent;a diffusion container that defines a diffusion chamber sized to receive drying solvent diffused from the pressure chamber;a conduit connecting the pressure chamber to the diffusion chamber; anda heater that heats the pressure chamber to a prescribed temperature below the critical temperature of the drying solvent, such that the solvent is vaporized and diffused via the conduit to the diffusion chamber;wherein the temperature of the diffusion chamber is sufficiently low to condense the vapor diffused from the pressure chamber.