Title: Apparatus and method for control of air relative humidity with reduced energy usage in the treatment of tobacco

Abstract: A method and apparatus for moistening relatively dry tobacco by precisely controlling air dry bulb temperature and relative humidity in which the dry bulb temperature is sensed so that variations therefrom produced by cooling of the air in a spray water curtain are used to control the spray water curtain heat exchange area. Additionally, the dew point temperature is sensed and used for controlling the temperature of the spray water and hence the relative humidity in the air at a desired dry bulb temperature. The relatively dry tobacco is one which has been subjected to a tobacco expansion process.

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Inventors: Knight, Jack B. (Richmond, VA, US)

Application Number: 836525
Filing Date: 1977-09-26
Publication_date: 1979-12-18
Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated (Richmond, VA)
Primary Class(es): 131/303 131/304
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

Re20944	Dec, 1938	Baker	62/91.
1944146	Jan, 1934	Howry	62/91.
1986529	Jan, 1934	Ray	62/91.
2048851	Jul, 1936	Downs	261/115.
2075036	Mar, 1937	Hollis	62/91.
2149990	Mar, 1939	Cook	62/91.
3232029	Feb, 1966	Evan, Jr.	62/91.
3247679	Apr, 1966	Meckler	62/91.
3812685	May, 1974	Brown	62/91.
3879857	Apr, 1975	Neville	34/10.
4089666	May, 1978	Knight	62/91.

Other Refs: 225797551115

Jun, 1974	DE
Oct, 1941	NL

Primary Examiner: Millin, Vincent
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Watson, Leavenworth, Kelton & Taggart