Importance

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Abstract

A dryer hopper assembly that promotes even drying of particulate matter across the horizontal cross-section of the hopper. In an aspect, the hopper promotes airflow up and alongside the interior wall of the hopper in counter-current flow to particulate material passing through the hopper. In one or more aspects, heating and thus drying of the material is promoted from the interior periphery of the horizontal cross-section of the hopper assembly towards the central axis of the hopper. The interior of the hopper may include a first perforated section located about a central axis of the hopper, the first perforated section having an outer peripheral edge spaced inwardly apart from the interior wall of the wall section, and a second perforated section, a first portion of the second perforated section being adjacent to the inner wall of the hopper and a second portion of the second perforated section providing an opening in communication with a central material outlet through which material may pass, the first perforated section having an open area and the second perforated section having an open area, the open area of the first perforated section being greater than the open area of the second perforated section.

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First Claim