摘要:
A device for the continuous thermal treatment of a granular material by means of a gas comprises a container having an inlet for the granular material which opens into a chamber arranged above a stationary gas-permeable material support which may be in the form of an inclined perforated wall. The container includes walls around the support, one of which at least includes a material outlet, for example, which is arranged at the lower end of the support. A gas is directed upwardly against the support at a plurality of separated areas in a flow stream which is regulated to maintain the material in a homogeneous loose fluid bed above the support. Means are provided at the outlet for effecting an infinitely vertically adjustable overflow. A throttling device is arranged in the flow paths of the fluid at a location before the support in order to selectively vary the velocity of gas flowing through the support and along the feed travel of the fluid bed of granular material. In accordance with the method of the invention, the granular material is directed into the chamber above the stationary support and the overflow to the outlet is set at a predetermined level. Thereafter, a treatment gas is directed through at least two distinct paths alternately upwardly through separate divided portions of this support. The gas flow is controlled so that there is an alternate flow first to one side and then to another side of the fluid bed and thence outwardly through the outlet along with the granular material which moves over the bed level.