Method and apparatus for drying and processing moisture-containing solids

DETAILED DESCRIPTION We claim: 1.
An energetically cross-linked process for the drying and thermal processing of moisture containing solids comprising the steps of: (a) heating the moisture containing solids to a temperature below that of the decomposition of any organic component thereof so as substantially to dry the solids by evaporating out the moisture content thereof; (b) condensing the vapours from step (a) at least partially in indirect heat exchange with the moisture containing solids and thereby transferring part of the enthalpy of these vapours to the moisture containing solids so as to contribute to the heating of step (a); (c) upgrading the enthalpy of the condensate formed in step (b) by utilisation of the heat generated or released in the energetically cross-linked processing stage; (d) utilising at least part of this upgraded enthalpy for completing the heating in step (a) and utilising any residual upgraded enthalpy in the energetically cross-linked processing stage; and (e) carrying out the thermal processing of the solids dried in step (a).
2.
A process according to claim 1 wherein the moisture evaporated in step (a) is compressed to such an extent that its condensation temperature is higher than the evaporation temperature of step (a) before being condensed in step (b).
3.
An energetically cross-linked process including the drying and combustion of moisture containing solids comprising the steps of: (a) heating the moisture containing solids to a temperature below that of the decomposition of any organic component thereof so as substantially to dry the solids by evaporating out the moisture content thereof; (b) carrying out the combustion thereof; (c) filtering at least part of the vapour formed in step (a) to remove dust therein; (d) upgrading the enthalpy of at least part of the vapours formed in step (a) and filtered in step (c) by utilisation of waste heat generated or released in the combustion of step (b); and (e) condensing at least part of the vapours from step (d) in indirect heat exchange with the moisture containing solids while continuously moving said solids from a moist solids inlet to a dried solids outlet and thereby transferring part of the enthalpy of these vapours to the moisture containing solids so as to effect the heating of step (a)