Vacuum Drying

Vacuum dryers are typically used to dry temperature sensitive materials or materials containing solvents that must be recovered. The medium is placed in a tray and set on a heated shelf in the oven. A condenser is typically connected to the vapor line leaving the drying oven, and a vacuum pump is connected to the condenser. In this way any solvent is condensed from the non-condensable vapors before they pass through the vacuum system.

The equipment is a 24" x 24"x 24" Buffalo Foundry vacuum drying oven. The shelves are steam heated and a water sealed liquid ring vacuum pump reduces the pressure in the oven. Thermocouples are placed in the medium and drying rate curves are developed for various materials.