Claims
- 1. Apparatus for producing a process stream of air at a predetermined flow rate, dry bulb temperature and wet bulb temperature, comprising means for producing a first stream of air at a predetermined flow rate V.sub.o and containing water vapor with a partial pressure p.sub.o ; dehumidifying means for reducing the partial pressure of water vapor in said first stream to p.sub.1 <p.sub.o ; first valve means for dividing said first stream into second, third and fourth streams; first temperature control means including a heat exchanger for adjusting said second stream to a temperature T.sub.1 ; second temperature control means including a heat exchanger for adjusting said third stream to a temperature T.sub.2 ; third temperature control means including a heat exchanger for adjusting said fourth stream to a temperature T.sub.3 ; humidity control means for adjusting the partial pressure of the water vapor in less than all of said second, third and fourth streams to a value p.sub.2 >p.sub.1 ; and adjustable valve means for combining selected portions of said second, third and fourth streams into a process stream at a flow rate V.sub.4 .ltoreq.V.sub.o, a temperature T.sub.4 not higher than the highest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 and not lower than the lowest or T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3, and a partial pressure p.sub.4 in the relation p.sub.1 .ltoreq.p.sub.4 .ltoreq.p.sub.2.
- 2. Apparatus for producing a process stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.4, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.4, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.4 ; comprising means including a heat exchanger and humidifier for producing a first stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.1, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.1, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.1 ; means including a heat exchanger for producing a second stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.2, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.2, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.2 ; means including a heat exchanger for producing a third stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.3, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.3, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.3, and valve means for combining selected portions of said first, second and third streams to produce said fourth stream; where V.sub.4 .ltoreq.V.sub.1 +V.sub.2 +V.sub.3, T.sub.4 is less than or equal to the highest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 and greater than or equal to the lowest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3, and p.sub.4 is less than or equal to the highest of p.sub.1, p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 and greater than or equal to the lowest of p.sub.1, p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 ; and where at least one of the temperatures T.sub.1 is different from the temperature T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 and at least one of the partial pressures p.sub.2 is different from the partial pressures p.sub.1 and p.sub.3.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 2, in which all of the temperatures T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 are different.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 2, in which all of the partial pressures p.sub.1, p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 are different.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 2, in which all of the temperatures T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 are different, and all of the partial pressures p.sub.1, p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 are different.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 2, in which all of the temperatures T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 are different, and in which one and only one of the partial pressures p.sub.1, p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 is different from the other partial pressures.
- 7. The apparatus of claim 2, in which the temperatures are in the relation T.sub.1 <T.sub.3 <T.sub.2, and in which the partial pressures are in the relation p.sub.1 =p.sub.2 .noteq.p.sub.3.
- 8. The apparatus of claim 2, in which the temperatures are in the relation T.sub.1 <T.sub.3 <T.sub.2, and in which the partial pressures are in the relations p.sub.1 =p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 >p.sub.1.
- 9. Apparatus for producing a process stream of air of desired dry bulb temperature and humidity, comprising means for producing a first stream of air at a predetermined flow rate, first humidity control means for adjusting the partial pressure of water in said first stream to a predetermined value, valve means for dividing said first stream into second, third and fourth streams, second humidity control means for adjusting the humidity of the air in at least one of said second, third and fourth streams to a value different from said predetermined humidity, temperature control means including a heat exchanger for adjusting the temperatures of said second, third and fourth streams to predetermined values, and valve means for combining selected portions of said second, third and fourth streams into a fifth stream.
- 10. The apparatus of claim 9, in which said first humidity control means adjusts the humidity of said first stream to a value corresponding to a partial pressure p.sub.1 of H.sub.2 O in said first stream; in which said temperature control means comprises first temperature control means for adjusting the temperature of said second stream to a temperature T.sub.1, second temperature control means for adjusting the temperature of said third stream to a temperature T.sub.2 >T.sub.1, and third temperature control means for adjusting the temperature of said fourth stream to a temperature T.sub.3, where T.sub.1 <T.sub.3 <T.sub.2 ; and in which said humidity control means adjusts the humidity in said fourth stream to a value corresponding to a partial pressure p.sub.2 of H.sub.2 O in said fourth stream, where p.sub.2 >p.sub.1.
- 11. A simulator for simulating the process of drying a continuously moving web with air in sequential zones under different drying conditions, comprising an insulated housing for holding a section of web, first air condition control means including a humidifier and heat exchangers for producing a first stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate, temperature and humidity, second air condition control means including a humidifier and heat exchangers for producing a second stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate, temperature and humidity, means forming an inlet aperture in said housing for admitting drying air, means forming an outlet aperture in said housing for removing air from said housing, and valve means operable to selectively connect said first stream or said second stream to said inlet aperture.
- 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a pair of spaced idler rolls in said housing for supporting a section of web in said housing intermediate the ends of said section, and means for oscillating said rolls periodically back and forth lengthwise of said web.
- 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a plenum chamber in said housing surrounding said inlet aperture, said plenum chamber comprising a perforated endless belt mounted for rotation in said housing for movement along a path adjacent a section of web in said housing, and means for rotating said belt at a selectable constant speed; whereby drying air entering said inlet aperture passes through said perforated belt and sweeps across a web in said housing with a velocity component lengthwise of said web simulating the movement of air relative to a moving web in a continuous drying process.
- 14. The apparatus of claim 11, in which said first and second air condition control means each comprises means for producing a first stream of air containing water vapor with a partial pressure p.sub.o at a predetermined flow rate V.sub.o ; dehumidifying means for reducing the partial pressure of water vapor to p.sub.1 <p.sub.o ; first valve means for dividing said first stream into second, third and fourth streams; first temperature control means for adjusting said second stream to a temperature T.sub.1 ; second temperature control means for adjusting said third stream to a temperature T.sub.2 ; third temperature control means for adjusting said fourth stream to a temperature T.sub.3 ; humidity control means for adjusting the partial pressure of the water vapor in one of said second, third and fourth streams to a value p.sub.2 >p.sub.1 ; and adjustable valve means for combining selectable portions of said second, third and fourth streams into a process stream at a flow rate V.sub.4 .ltoreq.V.sub.o, a temperature T.sub.4 not higher than the highest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub. 3 and not lower than the lowest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3, and a partial pressure p.sub.4 in the relation p.sub.1 .ltoreq.p.sub.4 .ltoreq.p.sub.2.
- 15. The apparatus of claim 11, in which said first and second air condition control means each comprises apparatus for producing a process stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.4, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.4, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.4, where V.sub.4, T.sub.4 and p.sub.4 may be the same or different for said first and second air condition control means; each of said process stream producing means comprising means for producing a first stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.1, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.1, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.1 ; means for producing a second stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.2, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.2, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.2 ; means for producing a third stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.3, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.3, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.3 ; and valve means for combining selected portions of said first, second and third streams to produce said fourth stream; where V.sub.4 <V.sub.1 +V.sub.2 +V.sub.3, T.sub.4 is less than or equal to the highest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 and greater than or equal to the lowest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3, and p.sub.4 is less than or equal to the highest of p.sub.1, p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 ; and where at least one of the temperatures T.sub.1 is different from the temperature T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 and at least one of the partial pressures p.sub.2 is different from the partial pressures p.sub.1 and p.sub.3.
- 16. The apparatus of claim 13, in which said first and second air condition control means each comprises apparatus for producing a process stream of air at a predetermined flow rate, dry bulb temperature and wet bulb temperature, said process stream producing apparatuses each comprising means for producing a first stream of air at a predetermined flow rate V.sub.o and containing water vapor with a partial pressure p.sub.o ; dehumidifying means for reducing the partial pressure of water vapor in said first stream to p.sub.1 <p.sub.o ; first valve means for dividing said first stream into second, third and fourth streams; first temperature control means for adjusting said second stream to a temperature T.sub.1 ; second temperature control means for adjusting said third stream to a temperature T.sub.2 ; third temperature control means for adjusting said fourth stream to a temperature T.sub.3 ; humidity control means for adjusting the partial pressure of the water vapor in one of said second, third and fourth streams to a value p.sub.2 <p.sub.1 ; and adjustable valve means for combining selected portions of said second, third and fourth streams into a process stream at a flow rate V.sub.4 <V.sub.o, a temperature T.sub.4 not higher than the highest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 and not lower than the lowest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3, and a partial pressure p.sub.4 in the relation p.sub.1 <p.sub.4 <p.sub.2 .
- 17. The apparatus of claim 13, in which said first and second air condition control means each comprises apparatus for producing a process stream of air of desired dry bulb temperature and humidity, said process stream producing apparatuses each comprising means for producing a first stream of air at a predetermined flow rate, first humidity control means for adjusting the partial pressure of water in said first stream to a predetermined value, valve means for dividing said first stream into second, third and fourth streams, second humidity control means for adjusting the humidity of the air in at least one of said second, third and fourth streams to a value different from said predetermined humidity, temperature control means for adjusting the temperatures of said second, third and fourth streams to predetermined values, and valve means for combining selected portions of said second, third and fourth streams into a fifth stream, in which said first humidity control means adjusts the humidity of said first stream to a value corresponding to a partial pressure p.sub.1 of H.sub.2 O in said first stream; in which said temperature control means comprises first temperature control means for adjusting the temperature of said second stream to a temperature T.sub.1, second temperature control means for adjusting the temperature of said third stream to a temperature T.sub.2 <T.sub.1, and third temperature control means for adjusting the temperature of said fourth stream to a temperature T.sub.3, where T.sub.1 <T.sub.3 <T.sub.2 ; and in which said humidity control means adjusts the humidity in said fourth stream to a value corresponding to a partial pressure p.sub.2 of H.sub.2 O in said fourth stream, where p.sub.2 <p.sub.1.
- 18. A simulator for simulating the process of drying a continuously moving web with air in sequential zones under different drying conditions, comprising an insulated housing for holding a section of web, first air condition control means for producing a first stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate, temperature and humidity, second air condition control means for producing a second stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate, temperature and humidity, means forming an inlet aperture in said housing for admitting drying air, means forming an outlet aperture in said housing for removing air from said housing, and valve means operable to selectively connect said first stream or said second stream to said inlet aperture, in which said first and second air condition control means each comprises apparatus for producing a process stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.4, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.4, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.4 ; comprising means for producing a first stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.1, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.1, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.1 ; means for producing a second stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.2, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.2, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.2 ; means for producing a third stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.3, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.3, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.3 ; and valve means for combining selected portions of said first, second and third streams to produce said fourth stream; where V.sub.4 .ltoreq.V.sub.1 +V.sub.2 +V.sub.3, T.sub.4 is less than or equal to the highest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 and greater than or equal to the lowest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3, and p.sub.4 is less than or equal to the highest of p.sub.1, p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 and greater than or equal to the lowest of p.sub.1, p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 ; and where at least one of the temperatures T.sub.1 is different from the temperature T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 and at least one of the partial pressures p.sub.2 is different from the partial pressures p.sub.1 and p.sub.3 ; and said temperatures are in the relation T.sub.1 <T.sub.3 <T.sub.2, and the partial pressures are in the relations p.sub.1 =p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 >p.sub.1.
- 19. A simulator for simulating the process of drying a continuously moving web with air in sequential zones under different drying conditions, comprising an insulated housing for holding a section of web, first air condition control means for producing a first stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate, temperature and humidity, second air condition control means for producing a second stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate, temperature and humidity, means forming an inlet aperture in said housing for admitting drying air, means forming an outlet aperture in said housing for removing air from said housing, and valve means operable to selectively connect said first stream or said second stream to said inlet aperture, in which said first and second air condition control means each comprises apparatus for producing a process stream of air of desired dry bulb temperature and humidity, comprising means for producing a first stream of air at a predetermined flow rate, first humidity control means for adjusting the partial pressure of water in said first stream to a predetermined value, valve means for dividing said first stream into second, third and fourth streams, second humidity control means for adjusting the humidity of the air in at least one of said second, third and fourth streams to a value different from said predetermined humidity, temperature control means for adjusting the temperatures of said second, third and fourth streams to predetermined values, and valve means for combining selected portions of said second, third and fourth streams into a fifth stream.
- 20. A simulator for a simulating the process of drying a continuously moving web with air in sequential zones under different drying conditions, comprising an insulated housing for holding a section of web, first air condition control means for producing a first stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate, temperature and humidity, second air condition control means for producing a second stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate, temperature and humidity, means forming an inlet aperture in said housing for admitting drying air, means forming an outlet aperture in said housing for removing air from said housing, and valve means operable to selectively connect said first stream or said second stream to said inlet aperture, in which said first and second air condition control means each comprises apparatus for producing a process stream of air of desired dry bulb temperature and humidity, comprising means for producing a first stream of air at a predetermined flow rate, first humidity control means for adjusting the partial pressure of water in said first stream to a predetermined value, value means for dividing said first stream into second, third and fourth streams, second humidity control means for adjusting the humidity of the air in at least one of said second, third and fourth streams to a value different from said predetermined humidity, temperature control means for adjusting the temperatures of said second, third and fourth streams to predetermined values, and valve means for combining selected portions of said second, third and fourth streams into a fifth stream in which said first humidity control means adjusts the humidity of said first stream to a value corresponding to a partial pressure p.sub.1 of H.sub.2 O in said first stream; in which said temperature control means comprises first temperature control means for adjusting the temperature of said second stream to a temperature T.sub.1, second temperature control means for adjusting the temperature of said third stream to a temperature T.sub.2 >T.sub.1, and third temperature control means for adjusting the temperature of said fourth stream to a temperature T.sub.3, where T.sub.1 <T.sub.3 <T.sub.2 ; and in which said humidity control means adjusts the humidity in said fourth stream to a value corresponding to a partial pressure p.sub.2 of H.sub.2 O in said fourth stream, where p.sub.2 >p.sub.1.
- 21. Apparatus for simulating the continuous drying of a moving web, comprising means forming a housing for receiving a section of web, means forming an entrance slot in said housing for admitting a web, means forming an exit slot in said housing through which a web can leave said housing, means for admitting a stream of drying air into said housing, a pair of idler rolls, means mounting said rolls for rotation in spaced relationship in said housing for supporting a section of web in said housing intermediate said entrance and exit slots, and adjustable oscillating means connected to said mounting means for oscillating said rolls back and forth periodically toward and away from said entrance slot.
- 22. Apparatus for simulating the drying of a web continuously moving at constant speed in succeeding drying zones of the same or different length with drying air of different quality in each zone, wherein a difference in quality means a difference in at least one of the air quality parameters flow rate, dry bulb temperature and humidity, said apparatus comprising, in combination, means forming an insulated housing for substantially enclosing a section of an elongated strip of web, means forming an entrance aperture in said housing for admitting an elongated strip of web, means forming an exit aperture in said housing for allowing an elongated strip of web in said housing to pass out of said housing, first and second idler rolls, means mounting said first idler roll for rotation in said housing adjacent said entrance aperture to support one end of a section of web in said housing, means mounting said second idler roll for rotation in said housing to support the other end of a section of web in said housing, a platform, adjustable means mounting said platform in said housing for movement toward and away from a web supported in said housing, support means mounted on said platform for reciprocating movement back and forth along a path generally parallel to a web supported in said housing, spaced insulated idler rolls rotatably mounted on said support means and adapted to support a section of web in said housing at spaced points between said first and second idler rolls, a perforated endless belt mounted for rotation in said housing along a path adjacent a section of web supported in said housing by said idler rolls, means forming an inlet aperture in said housing and inside of said belt to admit a stream of drying air, second means for confining air entering said inlet aperture primarily to a stream passing through the perforations in said belt to produce a stream of air sweeping over a web supported in said housing with a velocity component in a direction lengthwise of the web, first and second air condition control means for producing first and second streams of drying air of selected quality, and damper valve means operatively connected to said air condition control means for alternatively admitting said first and said second streams of drying air to said inlet aperture.
- 23. The process of simulating the drying of a web continuously moving at constant speed in succeeding drying zones of the same or different length with drying air of different quality in each zone, wherein a difference in quality means a difference in at least one of the air quality parameters flow rate, dry bulb temperature and humidity, said process comprising the steps of enclosing a section of an elongated strip of web in an insulating housing, supporting said section on spaced insulated idler rolls, oscillating said rolls back and forth in said housing, producing first and second streams of drying air of selected quality, and alternatively admitting said first and said second streams of drying air to said housing.
- 24. Apparatus for producing a process stream of a first gas at a predetermined flow rate and dry bulb temperature and containing a predetermined proportion of a second gas, comprising means for producing a first stream of said first gas at a predetermined flow rate V.sub.o and containing said second gas with a partial pressure p.sub.o ; means for reducing the partial pressure of said second gas in said first stream to p.sub.1 <p.sub.o ; first valve means for dividing said first stream into second, third and fourth streams; first temperature control means including a heat exchanger for adjusting said second stream to a temperature T.sub.1 ; second temperature control means including a heat exchanger for adjusting said third stream to a temperature T.sub.2 ; third temperature control means including a heat exchanger for adjusting said fourth stream to a temperature T.sub.3 ; means for adding a quantity of said second gas to adjust the partial pressure of said second gas in one of said second, third and fourth streams to a valve p.sub.2 >p.sub.1 ; and adjustable valve means for combining selected portions of said second, third and fourth streams into a process stream at a flow rate V.sub.4 .ltoreq.V.sub.o, a temperature T.sub.4 not higher than the highest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 and not lower than the lowest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3, and containing said second gas at a partial pressure p.sub.4 in the relation p.sub.1 <p.sub.4 <p.sub.2.
- 25. Apparatus for producing a process stream of a first gas of desired dry bulb temperature and containing a predetermined proportion of a second gas, comprising means for producing a first stream of said first gas at a predetermined flow rate, valve means for dividing said first stream into second, third and fourth streams, means for adding a quantity of said second gas to said first stream to adjust the partial pressure of said second gas in at least one of said second, third and fourth streams to a predetermined value, temperature control means including a heat exchanger for adjusting the temperatures of said second, third and fourth streams to predetermined values, and valve means for combining selected portions of said second, third and fourth streams into a fifth stream.
- 26. A simulator for simulating the process of drying a continuously moving web with air in sequential zones under different drying conditions, comprising an insulated housing for holding a section of web, first air condition control means including a humidifier and heat exchangers for producing a first stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate, temperature and humidity, second air condition control means including a humidifier and heat exchangers for producing a second stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate, temperature and humidity, means forming an inlet aperture in said housing for admitting drying air, means forming an outlet aperture in said housing for removing air from said housing, means for directing a stream of drying air from said inlet aperture to said outlet aperture over a path sweeping over a section of web in said housing with a velocity component lengthwise of the web, and valve means operable to selectively connect said first stream or said second stream to said inlet aperture.
- 27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a pair of spaced web support means in said housing for supporting a section of web in said housing intermediate the ends of said section, and means for oscillating said web support means periodically back and forth lengthwise of said web.
- 28. The apparatus of claim 26, in which said air stream directing means comprises a plenum chamber in said housing surrounding said inlet aperture, said plenum chamber comprising a perforated endless belt mounted for rotation in said housing for movement along a path adjacent a section of web in said housing, and means for rotating said belt at a selectable constant speed, whereby drying air entering said inlet aperture passes through said perforated belt and sweeps across a web in said housing with a velocity component lengthwise of said web simulating the movement of air relative to a moving web in a continuous drying process.
- 29. The apparatus of claim 27, in which said air stream directing means comprises a plenum chamber in said housing surrounding said inlet aperture, said plenum chamber comprising a perforated endless belt mounted for rotation in said housing for movement along a path adjacent a section of web in said housing, and means for rotating said belt at a selectable constant speed; whereby drying air entering said inlet aperture passed through said perforated belt and sweeps across a web in said housing with a velocity component lengthwise of said web simulating the movement of air relative to a moving web in a continuous drying process.
- 30. The apparatus of claim 26, in which said first and second air condition control means each comprises means for producing a first stream of air containing water vapor with a partial pressure p.sub.o at a predetermined flow rate V.sub.o ; dehumidifying means for reducing the partial pressure of water vapor to p.sub.1 <p.sub.o ; first valve means for dividing said first stream into second, third and fourth streams; first temperature control means for adjusting said second stream to a temperature T.sub.1 ; second temperature control means for adjusting said third stream to a temperature T.sub.2 ; third temperature control means for adjusting said fourth stream to a temperature T.sub.3 ; humidity control means for adjusting the partial pressure of the water vapor in one of said second, third and fourth streams to a value p.sub.2 >p.sub.1 ; and adjustable valve means for combining selectable portions of said second, third and fourth streams into a process stream at a flow rate V.sub.4 <V.sub.o, a temperature T.sub.4 not higher than the highest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 and not lower than the lowest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3, and a partial pressure p.sub.4 in the relation p.sub.1 <p.sub.4 <p.sub.2.
- 31. A simulator for simulating the process of drying a continuously moving web with air in sequential zones under different drying conditions, comprising an insulated housing for holding a section of web, first air condition control means for producing a first stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate, temperature and humidity, second air condition control means for producing a second stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate, temperature and humidity, means forming an inlet aperture in said housing for admitting drying air, means formiing an outlet aperture in said housing for removing air from said housing, means for directing a stream of drying air from said inlet aperture to said outlet aperture over a path sweeping over a section of web in said housing with a velocity component lengthwise of the web, and valve means operable to selectively connect said first stream or said second stream to said inlet aperture, in which said first and second air condition control means each comprises apparatus for producing a process stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.4, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.4, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.4 ; comprising means for producing a first stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.1, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.1, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.1 ; means for producing a second stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.2, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.2, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.2 ; means for producing a third stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.3 , a dry bulb temperature T.sub.3, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.3, and valve means for combining selected portions of said first, second and third streams to produce said fourth stream; where V.sub.4 .ltoreq.V.sub.1 +V.sub.2 +V.sub.3, T.sub.4 is less than or equal to the highest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 and greater than or equal to the lowest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3, and p.sub.4 is less than or equal to the highest of p.sub.1, p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 and greater than or equal to the lowest of p.sub.1, p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 ; and where at least one of the temperatures T.sub.1 is different from the temperature T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 and at least one of the partial pressures p.sub.2 is different from the partial pressures p.sub.1 and p.sub.3.
- 32. The apparatus of claim 29, in which said first and second air condition control means each comprises apparatus for producing a process stream of air at a predetermined flow rate, dry bulb temperature and wet bulb temperature, said process stream producing apparatuses each comprising means for producing a first stream of air at a predetermined flow rate V.sub.o and containing water vapor with a partial pressure p.sub.o ; dehumidifying means for reducing the partial pressure of water vapor in said first stream to p.sub.1 <p.sub.o ; first valve means for dividing said first stream into second, third and fourth streams; first temperature control means for adjusting said second stream to a temperature T.sub.1 ; second temperature control means for adjusting said third stream to a temperature T.sub.2 ; third temperature control means for adjusting said fourth stream to a temperature T.sub.3 ; humidity control means for adjusting the partial pressure of the water vapor in one of said second, third and fourth streams to a value p.sub.2 <p.sub.1 ; and adjustable valve means for combining selected portions of said second, third and fourth streams into a process stream at a flow rate V.sub.4 <V.sub.o, a temperature T.sub.4 not higher than the highest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 and not lower than the lowest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3, and a partial pressure p.sub.4 in the relation p.sub.1 <p.sub.4 <p.sub.2.
- 33. The apparatus of claim 29, in which said first and second air condition control means each comprises apparatus for producing a process stream of air of desired dry bulb temperature and humidity, said process stream producing apparatuses each comprising means for producing a first stream of air at a predetermined flow rate, first humidity control means for adjusting the partial pressure of water in said first stream to a predetermined value, valve means for dividing said first stream into second, third and fourth streams, second humidity control means for adjusting the humidity of the air in at least one of said second, third and fourth streams to a value different from said predetermined humidity, temperature control means for adjusting the temperatures of said second, third and fourth streams to predetermined values, and valve means for combining selected portions of said second, third and fourth streams into a fifth stream, in which said first humidity control means adjusts the humidity of said first stream to a value corresponding to a partial pressure p.sub.1 of H.sub.2 O in said first stream; in which said temperature control means comprises first temperature control means for adjusting the temperature of said second stream to a temperature T.sub.1, second temperature control means for adjusting the temperature of said third stream to a temperature T.sub.2 >T.sub.1, and third temperature control means for adjusting the temperature of said fourth stream to a temperature T.sub.3, where T.sub.1 <T.sub.3 <T.sub.2 ; and in which said humidity control means adjusts the humidity in said fourth stream to a value corresponding to a partial pressure p.sub.2 of H.sub.2 O in said fourth stream, where p.sub.2 <p.sub.1.
- 34. Apparatus for simulating the continuous drying of a moving web, comprising means forming a housing for receiving a section of web, means for admitting a stream of drying air into said housing, a pair of idler rolls, means mounting said rolls for rotation in spaced relationship in said housing for supporting a section of web in said housing, and adjustable oscillating means connected to said mounting means for oscillating said rolls back and forth periodically toward and away from said entrance slot.
- 35. Apparatus for simulating the drying of a web continuously moving at constant speed in succeeding drying zones of the same or different length with drying air of different quality in each zone, wherein a difference in quality means a difference in at least one of the air quality parameters flow rate, dry bulb temperature and humidity, said apparatus comprising, in combination, means forming an insulated housing for substantially enclosing a section of an elongated strip of web, a platform, adjustable means mounting said platform in said housing for movement toward and away from a web supported in said housing, support means mounted on said platform for reciprocating movement back and forth along a path generally parallel to a web supported in said housing, spaced insulated idler rolls rotatably mounted on said support means and adapted to support a section of web in said housing at spaced points, a perforated endless belt mounted for rotation in said housing along a path adjacent a section of web supported in said housing by said idler rolls, means forming an inlet aperture in said housing and inside of said belt to admit a stream of drying air, second means for confining air entering said inlet aperture primarily to a stream passing through the perforations in said belt to produce a stream of air sweeping over a web supported in said housing with a velocity component in a direction lengthwise of the web, first and second air condition control means for producing first and second streams of drying air of selected quality, and damper valve means operatively connected to said air condition control means for alternatively admitting said first and said second streams of drying air to said inlet aperture.
- 36. The process of producing a process stream of air at a predetermined flow rate, dry bulb temperature and wet bulb temperature, comprising the steps of producing a first stream of air at a predetermined flow rate V.sub.o ; adjusting the partial pressure of water vapor in said first stream to a predetermined value p.sub.1 ; dividing said first stream into second, third and fourth streams; adjusting the temperature of said second stream with means including a heat exchanger to a temperature T.sub.1 ; adjusting the temperature of said third stream with means including a heat exchanger to a temperature T.sub.2 ; adjusting the temperature of said fourth stream with means including a heat exchanger to a temperature T.sub.3 ; adjusting the partial pressure of the water vapor in one of said second, third and fourth streams to a value p.sub.2 >p.sub.1 ; and combining selected portions of said second, third and fourth streams into a process stream at a flow rate V.sub.4 .ltoreq.V.sub.o, a temperature T.sub.4 not higher than the highest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 and not lower than the lowest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3, and a partial pressure p.sub.4 in the relation p.sub.1 .ltoreq.p.sub.4 .ltoreq.p.sub.2.
- 37. The process of producing a process stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.4, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.4, with means including a heat exchanger and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.4 ; comprising the steps of producing a first stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.1, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.1, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.1 ; producing a second stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.2, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.2, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.2 ; producing a third stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.3, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.3, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.3 ; combining selected portions of said first, second and third streams to produce said fourth stream; where V.sub.2 .ltoreq.V.sub.1 +V.sub.3, T.sub.4 is less than or equal to the highest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 and greater than or equal to the lowest of T.sub.1, T.sub. 2 and T.sub.3, and p.sub.4 is less than or equal to the lowest of p.sub.1, p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 ; and where at least one of the temperatures T.sub.1 is different from the temperature T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 and at least one of the partial pressures p.sub.2 is different from the partial pressures p.sub.1 and p.sub.3.
- 38. The process of claim 37, in which all of the temperatures T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 are different.
- 39. The process of claim 37, in which all of the partial pressures p.sub.1, p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 are different.
- 40. The process of claim 37, in which all of the temperatures T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 are different, and all of the partial pressures p.sub.1, p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 are different.
- 41. The process of claim 37, in which all of the temperatures T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 are different, and in which one and only one of the partial pressures p.sub.1, p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 is different from the other partial pressures.
- 42. The process of claim 31, in which the temperatures are in the relation T.sub.1 <T.sub.3 <T.sub.2, and in which the partial pressures are in the relation p.sub.1 =p.sub.2 .noteq.p.sub.3.
- 43. The process of claim 37, in which the temperatures are in the relation T.sub.1 <T.sub.3 <T.sub.2, and in which the partial pressures are in the relations p.sub.1 =p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 <p.sub.1.
- 44. The process for producing a process stream of air of desired dry bulb temperature and humidity, comprising the steps of producing a first stream of air at a predetermined flow rate, adjusting the partial pressure of water in said first stream to a predetermined value, dividing said first stream into second, third and fourth stream, adjusting the humidity of the air in at least one of said second, third and fourth streams to a value different from said predetermined humidity, adjusting the temperatures of said second, third, and fourth streams to predetermined values with means including a heat exchanger, and combining selected portions of said second, third and fourth streams into a fifth stream.
- 45. The process of claim 44, in which the humidity of said first stream is adjusted to a value corresponding to a partial pressure p.sub.1 of H.sub.2 O in said first stream; in which the temperature of said second stream is adjusted to a temperature T.sub.1, the temperature of said third stream is adjusted to a temperature T.sub.2 >T.sub.1, and the temperature of said fourth stream is adjusted to a temperature T.sub.3, where T.sub.1 <T.sub.3 <T.sub.2 ; and in which the humidity in said fourth stream is adjusted to a value corresponding to a partial pressure p.sub.2 of H.sub.2 O in said fourth stream, where p.sub.2 <p.sub.1.
- 46. The process of simulating the drying of a continuously moving web with air in sequential zones under different drying conditions, comprising the steps of positioning a second web in an insulated housing, producing a first stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate, temperature and humidity by means including a humidifier and heat exchangers, producing a second stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate by means including a humidifier and heat exchangers, and sequentially admitting said first stream and said second stream to said housing.
- 47. The process of simulating the continuous drying of a moving web, comprising the steps of placing a section of web in an insulated housing, admitting a stream of drying air into said housing, supporting said section of web in said housing at spaced support locations, and oscillating said support locations back and forth lengthwise of said web.
- 48. A simulator for simulating the process of drying a continuously moving web with air in sequential zones under different drying conditions, comprising an insulated housing for holding a section of web, first air condition control means for producing a first stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate, temperature and humidity, second air condition control means for producing a second stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate, temperature and humidity, means forming an inlet aperture in said housing for admitting drying air, means forming an outlet aperture in said housing for removing air from said housing, means for directing a stream of drying air from said inlet aperture to said outlet aperture over a path sweeping over a section of web in said housing with a velocity component lengthwise of the web, and valve means operable to selectively connect said first stream or said second stream to said inlet aperture, in which said first and second air condition control means each comprises apparatus for producing a process stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.4, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.4, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.4 ; comprising means for producing a first stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.1, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.1, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.1 ; means for producing a second stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.2, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.2, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.2 ; means for producing a third stream of air at a flow rate V.sub.3, a dry bulb temperature T.sub.3, and containing water vapor at a partial pressure p.sub.3 ; and valve means for combining selected portions of said first, second and third streams to produce said fourth stream; where V.sub.4 .ltoreq.V.sub.1 +V.sub.2 +V.sub.3, T.sub.4 is less than or equal to the highest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 ; and greater than or equal to the lowest of T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3, and p.sub.4 is less than or equal to the highest of p.sub.1, p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 and greater than or equal to the lowest of p.sub.1, p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 ; and where at least one of the temperatures T.sub.1 is different from the temperature T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 and at least one of the partial pressures p.sub.2 is different from the partial pressures p.sub.1 and p.sub.3 and said temperatures are in the relation T.sub.1 <T.sub.3 <T.sub. 2, and the partial pressures are in the relation p.sub.1 =p.sub.2 and p.sub.3 >p.sub.1.
- 49. A simulator for simulating the process of drying a continuously moving web with air in sequential zones under different drying conditions, comprising an insulated housing for holding a section of web, first air condition control means for producing a first stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate, temperature and humidity, second air condition control means for producing a second stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate, temperature and humidity, means forming an inlet aperture in said housing for admitting drying air, means forming an outlet aperture in said housing for removing air from said housing, means for directing a stream of drying air from said inlet aperture to said outlet aperture over a path sweeping over a section of web in said housing with a velocity component lengthwise of the web, and valve means operable to selectively connect said first stream or said second stream to said inlet aperture, in which said first and second air condition control means each comprises apparatus for producing a process stream of air of desired dry bulb temperature and humidity, comprising means for producing a first stream of air at a predetermined flow rate, first humidity control means for adjusting the partial pressure of water in said first stream to a predetermined value, valve means for dividing said first stream into second, third and fourth streams, second humidity control means for adjusting the humidity of the air in at least one of said second, third and fourth streams to a value different from said predetermined humidity, temperature control means for adjusting the temperatures of said second, third and fourth streams to predetermined values, and valve means for combining selected portions of said second, third and fourth streams into a fifth stream.
- 50. A simulator for simulating the process of drying a continuously moving web with air in sequential zones under different drying conditions, comprising an insulated housing for holding a section of web, first air condition control means for producing a first stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate, temperature and humidity, second air condition control means for producing a second stream of air under selected conditions of flow rate, temperature and humidity, means forming an inlet aperture in said housing for admitting drying air, means forming an outlet aperture in said housing for removing air from said housing, means for directing a stream of drying air from said inlet aperture to said outlet aperture over a path sweeping over a section of web in said housing with a velocity component lengthwise of the web, and valve means operable to selectively connect said first stream or said second stream to said inlet aperture, in which said first and second air condition control means each comprises apparatus for producing a process stream of air of desired dry bulb temperature and humidity, comprising means for producing a first stream of air at a predetermined flow rate, first humidity control means for adjusting the partial pressure of water in said first stream to a predetermined value, valve means for dividing said first stream into second, third and fourth streams, second humidity control means for adjusting the humidity of the air in at least one of said second, third and fourth streams to a value different from said predetermined humidity, temperature control means for adjusting the temperatures of said second, third and fourth streams to predetermined values, and valve means for combining selected portions of said second, third and fourth streams into a fifth stream in which said first humidity control means adjusts the humidity of said first stream to a value corresponding to a partial pressure p.sub.1 of H.sub.2 O in said first stream; in which said temperature control means comprises first temperature control means for adjusting the temperature of said second stream to a temperature T.sub.1, second temperature control means for adjusting the temperature of said third stream to a temperature T.sub.2 >T.sub.1, and third temperature control means for adjusting the temperature of said fourth stream to a temperature T.sub.3, where T.sub.1 <T.sub.3 <T.sub.2 ; and in which said humidity control means adjusts the humidity in said fourth stream to a value corresponding to a partial pressure p.sub.2 of H.sub.2 O in said fourth stream, where p.sub.2 >p.sub.1.
Parent Case Info
This is a division of application Ser. No. 260,331, filed May 4, 1981 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,122.
US Referenced Citations (4)
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
260331 |
May 1981 |
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