MXPA00006717A - Tobacco drying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A high humidity drying apparatus for cut tobacco is shown. The apparatus has a furnace which heats circulated air within the apparatus. The air is forced through a first arcuate elbow (14) which has a tobacco air inlet (12) located thereon for inserting the cut tobacco into the airstream. The tobacco is then redirected into a vertically extending drying chamber (20). The air entrained tobacco is then forced through a second arcuate elbow (26) which places the tobacco into a tangential separator (30) for removing the tobacco from the heated air. The separator has dual air exhausts (32, 36), each leading to a high efficiency cyclone (40, 42) for further removal of the tobacco dust from the circulated air. All of the air is then passed back to the furnace for heating and then recirculated through the drying apparatus.

Description

APPARATUS FOR DRYING TOBACCO TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an apparatus for drying cut tobacco and more particularly to an apparatus for drying tobacco under relatively high humidity drying conditions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the manufacture of cigarettes and similar articles, it is usual practice to reduce the snuff, the term is used herein to include both sheets as stems to a particle size appropriate for cigarette manufacture. The moisture content of the tobacco is generally increased before this processing for size reduction, in order to minimize the decomposition of the tobacco and to provide a material of uniform particle size. Furthermore, in order to process the tobacco treated in the manufacture of cigarette rods, it is necessary to reduce the moisture content of the tobacco to a level below which the tobacco is after treatment of coatings, flavorings and other additives. The current drying process has a direct impact on the quality of the tobacco used during the manufacture of the cigarettes, due to the effect that the drying process has on the tobacco material itself. Additionally, the drying of the tobacco after the addition of flavorings and coatings has a direct impact on the quality of the tobacco itself. If, during drying, the tobacco undergoes severe agitation or contact with stationary surfaces, the tobacco material may be damaged by decomposition, or rupture, thereby decreasing the filling capacity of the tobacco. This undesired result is also achieved when it is dried in conditions of low humidity. Therefore, it is necessary to dry the moist tobacco under conditions of high humidity, while harmful contact with the tobacco material is also avoided. The patent of the U.S.A. No. 4,167,191, illustrates a process for drying high moisture material snuff, to reduce the moisture content of snuff expanded while minimizing yield losses and rolling particles is reduced while the power remains filling. The temperature of the air used to dry the tobacco is within a range of approximately 121.1 ° C (250 ° F) to approximately 342.2 ° C (650 ° F) in the presence of absolute humidity at a level above that on which it is provided. a wet bulb temperature reading of at least about 65.6 ° C (150 ° F). The patent of the U.S.A. No. 4,315,515, illustrates a tobacco drying apparatus having a plurality of expansion chambers that effect drying of the tobacco within a high humidity environment. The drying chambers are used to reduce the speed of the air flow through the apparatus as well as a drying medium for the tobacco trapped with air at the desired level of humidity. However, the device requires long stretches of air ducts as well as several areas or elbows to redirect the air that cause the tobacco to come into contact with the walls of the ducts in the air chambers, causing tobacco breakage, of breaking tobacco, toilets, cleaning and others inside the appliance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a drying apparatus snuff high humidity, and more particularly to a drying apparatus snuff cut with high humidity requiring minimum residence time of snuff cut into the drying chamber and expansion. More particularly, the present invention comprises a heated air intake duct that provides air at a predetermined temperature and moisture level. The air inlet duct enters a first arched elbow where the cut tobacco is mixed with the hot air at high speed by a trapezoidal entrance of vertical extension. The first arched bend redirects the air flow from the horizontal air flow to a vertical air flow. The outer wall of the first inner elbow has a water cooled door that opens outward to access the interior of the drying apparatus. The first elbow redirects the airflow with trapped tobacco, vertically to a vertically extending, long drying and expansion chamber, the vertically extending drying chamber ends in a second elbow that redirects the air flow in a tangential separator. The second elbow has a water-cooled door inside the exterior wall, thus preventing the accumulation of coatings and other materion the inner surface of the elbow. The tangential separator provides a means for removing the cut tobacco from the air stream with high velocity by reducing the speed of the air flow and allowing the trapped tobacco there to fall out of the air stream and into a rotary airlock. The warm air stream leaves the separator of both side walls of the tangential separator, each of the discharges enters a high efficiency cyclone for greater separation and removal of any tobacco material remaining in the air stream. Finally, the present invention comprises a drying apparatus with high humidity for drying cut tobacco, comprising: a longitudinally extending heated air inlet duct; a first arcuate elbow in flow communication with the intake or intake duct and having a pre-selected descending bend angle, the first elbow has a hinged, water-cooled door in an exterior wall; an entrance of snuff that extends upwards of trapezoidal cross section, in flow communication with the first elbow, the tobacco entrance that extends upwards is formed in the first elbow at a point where the vertical expansion of the first arched elbow starts; a drying chamber that extends vertically in flow communication with the first elbow; a second arcuate elbow in flow communication with the vertically extending drying chamber, the second elbow has a hinged, water-cooled door in an exterior wall; a tangential separator in flow communication with the second elbow, the separator has a tobacco outlet air lock, the separator also has a first and a second perpendicular air exits aligned centrally on opposite sides, the first air exhaust is in flow communication with a first high efficiency cyclone and the second air release in flow communication with a second high efficiency cyclone. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the invention is achieved by reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts and wherein: Figure 1 is a side view of an apparatus high humidity drying of the present invention; Figure 2 is a front view of a vertically extending expansion and drying chamber of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the tangential separator, the two air discharges and the first and second high efficiency cyclones of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the area for tobacco entry; Figure 5 is a side view of the water cooled door in the first arched bend; Figure 6 is a side view of the water cooled door in the second arched bend; Figure 7 is a side view of the tangential separator and the water-cooled door of its upper edge; and Figure 8 is an exploded bottom view of the vertically extending drying and expansion chamber of Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY As illustrated in Figure 1, a high humidity drying apparatus 10 of the present invention is constituted by multiple duct sections 11, 14, 20, 26 and 30. Air for use in the apparatus 10 is heated in an oven (not shown). Circulated air after heating is brought to an appropriate humidity level to create drying conditions with high humidity. The moisture is added by injecting steam into the air stream in order to raise the humidity level of the hot air circulated to the appropriate level. This also serves to raise the temperature of the air circulated within the drying apparatus itself. The moisture level of the air stream is closely monitored or monitored in order to provide a wet bulb temperature of, for example, at least about 98.9 ° C (210 ° F), as this term is defined in US Pat. No. 4,167,191. The hot air inlet 15 receives air from the furnace at a relatively high speed such as for example from 1,523.9 meters (5,000 feet) to approximately 2,438.4 meters (8,000 feet) per minute. A hot air inlet duct 11 is placed in flow communication with and downstream of the inlet 15 with expansion joints 17a and 17b that are provided to allow the hot air inlet duct 11 to expand and contract as air was passed through it. The hot air inlet duct 11 has an approximate height of 45.7 cm (18") and an approximate width of 177.6 cm (66"). The average air temperature in the hot air inlet duct 11 is generally maintained around 182.2 ° C (360 ° F). The air in the hot air inlet duct 11 has a speed for example of about 1, 920.2 meters (6,300 feet) / minute as accelerated in a narrow entry throat 19 and the first arcuate elbow 14. The entry throat 19 of the first arcuate elbow 14 tapers inward, thereby providing the first arcuate elbow 14 with a smaller inner diameter than the heated air inlet duct 11. The heated air inlet duct 11, as illustrated in Figure 1, has an approximate downward angle of 12 to 13 ° from the horizontal before the first Elbow 14 turn upwards to redirect the airflow accordingly. After the first bend 14 turns upward, a trapezoidal inlet airlock 12 is provided as the means for adding cut tobacco in the air stream. The inlet airlock 12 is generally of trapezoidal cross-section and is placed on the elbow 14 allowing the tobacco to fall vertically into the air stream flowing through the elbow 14 below the air lock 12. The airlock 12 Inlet air 12 has located a rotary airlock 12a, shown in Figure 4, for incremental addition of cut tobacco in the air stream, thereby preventing a decrease in pressure and velocity of the air flow below. The cut tobacco entering the inlet airlock 12 usually has coatings, flavors and other mixed additives and exhibits a total moisture content of generally about 21 to 23% by weight. In a preferred operation, the cut tobacco is passed through the air lock 12 at a rate of for example between about 6,350 kg (at 12,000 lbs) / hour and about 22226 kg (49,000 lbs) / hr. As illustrated in Figure 1, after drying over the narrow neck portion 19, the elbow 14 is provided with an increased diameter section starting at a position identified by the vertical expansion line 13 at the junction with the air lock. inlet air 12. This vertical expansion line 13 prevents a negative pressure point from forming inside the inlet airlock 12 and expands over the inner bend angle of the elbow 14. The increased height of the interior of the elbow 14 in the vertical expansion line 13 of the air lock 12 causes a zero pressure point to be formed just above the expansion line 13 of the first bend 14 and within the air lock itself 12. This vertical expansion increases the height of the arched elbow 14 from approximately 68.6 cm (27") just before the tobacco entry area in the expansion area 13 to approximately 81.28 cm (32"). The pressure point 0 inside the air lock 12 prevents against flow of cut tobacco in the air lock and prevents the cut tobacco from flowing into the air stream with minimal accumulation of tobacco in the air lock. A better diagram of the trapezoidal design of the inlet airlock is illustrated in Figure 4 within which is located a rotary airlock 12a, which allows incrementally to circulate tobacco to the air stream below, with high speed . The cut tobacco enters the air lock from a vibration conveyor system that provides the tobacco after fine cutting by a separate cutting apparatus. Cut tobacco has a moisture content of approximately 21% to 23% as previously established. By implementing the widening of the air lock 12 in the expansion line 13, the cut tobacco is prevented from circulating the opposite tissue in the air lock which can occur when the negative pressure is formed inside the air lock chamber . The air lock in trapezoidal cross section allows the cut tobacco to be fed into the main air stream at a relatively high speed eg about 13,608 kg (30,000) / hour on average or higher, without sealing the lock portion from air of the drying apparatus or supersaturating the air stream. The total design of the present invention creates a null double-point pressure configuration that is directly caused by the Venturi design at the entrance of the tobacco 12. A first null pressure point is formed just inside the inlet area 12 to prevent against tobacco flow in the tobacco entry area 12. A second null point is created within the tangential separator 30 just below the air leaks 32 and 36 that exit the separator centrally. As established, this double null point configuration aids in transporting the cut tobacco through the drying apparatus and ensuring a uniform flow of material through the drying apparatus 10. As illustrated in Figure 1, the first elbow 14 is provided with a water-cooled outer force 16. The water-cooled door 16 shown in Figure 5 provides access to the interior of the first bend 14 of the drying apparatus 10. The door 16 is provided with a curved inner outer wall 23 which comes in contact with cut tobacco and wet flavorings and aggregate coatings. Cooling water is circulated through the door 16 in the interior channels which repeatedly cross the length of the door 16 in a forward and backward manner in order to maintain a condensed moisture layer inside the outer wall 23 , which in turn prevents accumulation of coatings and flavorings. These channels are formed in a forward and backward direction in order to cover as much surface area of the door 16 as possible. The accumulation of material in the outer wall 23 can present hygiene problems as well as reduce the uniform flow of tobacco material coming into contact with the inner outer wall 23. By passing cooled water through the inner pipes of the door 16, a condensation layer is created on the inner outer wall 23 which allows the cut tobacco to come into contact with the moisture layer in the wall avoiding deposits of any of the coatings or flavorings inside the drying apparatus. The water cooled door 16 is also connected to the air or pneumatic cylinder 25 which allows the door to open and close. Door 16 is hinged at point 27, to facilitate the action of opening and closing. While the inner outer wall 23 of the door 16 is curved, a flat contact surface 25 is used in order to provide a uniform, flat seal surface. This flat contact surface 25 allows an adequate sealing of the door 16 on the elbow 14 while still providing a hinged access point in the apparatus. By providing the water-cooled door 16, the accumulation in the inner outer wall 23 is maintained at a minimum level and access is provided to the interior of the drying apparatus for inspection and cleaning when required. Returning to FIG. 1, downstream of the first arcuate elbow 14 is the vertically extending expansion and drying chamber 20. And, as best illustrated in FIG. 2, the terminating end downstream of the first elbow as identified by FIG. number 18, marks the beginning of the expansion of the interior of the drying chamber. The vertical drying chamber 20 extends upward generally in approximate form for example 12.8 (42 feet) to 18.3 meters (60 feet) to provide adequate distance and drying time for the cut tobacco. In order to dry the cut tobacco at the appropriate moisture level, the tobacco trapped within the air stream will remain in the drying chamber until it reaches a predetermined moisture content, usually for example about 13 to 15% by weight. If the moisture content of the tobacco is very high, the tobacco will be too heavy to handle or elevate to the second elbow 26. Furthermore, to ensure adequate flow of tobacco within the apparatus and especially in the drying and vertical expansion chamber 20, the The walls of the vertical drying chamber 20 are rounded at the corners of the chamber, as illustrated in Figure 8, to avoid contact of the wet tobacco with the interior ducts of the drying apparatus, thus causing air flow or problems of hygiene. This curved or circular design promotes uniform air flow through the drying apparatus 10 by removing the corners at 90 ° where circulating air can stagnate and curb the flowability of the tobacco. Typically, inside the corners of the ducts, the air flow tends to stagnate or be less active thus avoiding the proper flow of tobacco trapped inside the air. Downstream of the vertical drying chamber 20 and in flow communication with it is the second arcuate elbow 26 which, as with the first elbow 14 engages with an outwardly extending water-cooled door 24. The second elbow 26 is Place to re-direct tobacco trapped with air from the vertical to the horizontal direction. The second elbow door 24 which is cooled with water as the first elbow door 16 prevents accumulation of material on the inner and outer wall surface 31 shown in Figure 6. The water that is passed through the interior of the Door 24, with the first elbow door 16, is maintained at a controlled temperature for example of approximately 87.8 ° C (190 ° F). This temperature is optimal since it is approximately -6.67 ° C (20 ° F) below the appropriate wet bulb temperature of the tobacco. A first layer of final water condensation is thus formed in the inner elbow wall 31 allowing the tobacco trapped within the air flow to contact the wall 31 without leaving residue in the interior ducts of the drying apparatus. The door 24 is also hinged at a point identified by No. 29 and has an air cylinder 33 connected which provides means for raising and lowering the door 24. Downstream of and in flow communication with the second arcuate elbow 26 is the tangential separator 30 which in turn is in flow communication with the dual high efficiency cyclones 40 and 42. As previously stated, the air flow velocity within the drying apparatus is maintained for example at approximately 1920 meters (6,300 feet) ) / minute. In order to remove the tobacco from the air stream with high velocity, the tangential separator 30 forces the tobacco against an interior surface or wall 39 of the water-cooled door, hinged 39 and illustrated in Figure 7. This reduces the speed of the tobacco. tobacco cut so that it can be removed from the air flow. And, the cooled water circulates through the interior of the hinged force 38 in order to avoid accumulation of material in the interior surface wall 39. The air flow velocity within the drying apparatus 10 is reduced as it circulates around the interior of the separator tangentially 30, thereby allowing the cut tobacco to fall into the rotary airlock 34. As illustrated in Figure 3, the heated air is discharged through the dual air exhaust outlet ducts 32 and 36, while that most of the dried tobacco falls from the stream and into the rotary airlock 34 for further processing. Each air exhaust 32 and 36 is centrally aligned at opposite ends of the tangential separator and removes air from the separator 30 through a rotating multiple blade discharge, centrally located in the separator 30. Each of the air leaks 32 and 36 leads to cyclones for the additional removal of cut tobacco from the circulated air stream. The exhaust of the separator must be properly balanced to each of the exhaust outlet lines 32 and 36, such that adequate air flow is activated within the dryer to prevent accumulation of the material in the second elbow 26. The ratio between the drying chamber 22 and the transmission leading to the separator 38a, as illustrated in Figure 1, is approximately 0.4. A second pressure point 0 is formed within the drying apparatus in the tangential separator 30 to assist in removal of the product from the interior ducts of the transition area 38a and the second elbow area 24. The moisture content of the cut tobacco in the air lock 34 it is reduced from approximately 15 to 17% moisture content and rises to a temperature of approximately 98.9 ° C (210 ° F). The air discharged through ducts 32 and 36 will still have small amounts of tobacco within the air stream. To additionally filter the air and remove this material, high efficiency cyclones 40 and 42 are provided in order to deposit tobacco dust and material in the removal bins 46 and 48, while allowing the heated air to be discharged through the ducts 50 and 52 and recirculate again to the drying apparatus. The drying apparatus 10 can then use this heated air back in the hot air inlet duct 11, to process the additional cut tobacco. The total residence time of the cut tobacco within the drying apparatus 10 is only about 3 seconds and the moisture content is reduced from about 21 to 23% to about 15 to 17% in this short amount of time. Additionally, the drying apparatus 10 reduces the breaking of the cut tobacco, thereby increasing the filling capacity of the material while also reducing the amount of contacts that the cut tobacco has with the interior walls of the apparatus. This not only increases the filling capacity of the material but also reduces the maintenance costs of the drying apparatus as the interior does not require extensive and continuous cleaning. In order to avoid greater deposits of flavoring material and tobacco coatings inside the drying apparatus 10 and specifically in the tangential separator 30, the rear wall 39a of the tangential separator is also water cooled to generate a thin layer of condensate which deadens the contact of the tobacco cut on the inside walls. Example 1 A test run of the new drying apparatus was performed under the specifications set forth above. The results of the dry-cut tobacco were compared with cut tobacco which is dried in a prior art device such as that described in US Pat. No. 4,315,515. The results are shown below. As can be seen, the moisture content of the cut tobacco remained almost the same while the residence time / total drying time within the drying apparatus is reduced from about 8 seconds to about 3 seconds. The dried tobacco in the drying apparatus of the present invention exhibits a much higher filling value. The moisture in the table reads as the base percent in wet weight. The filling value is determined in cubic centimeters per gram. Propylene glycol was measured in percent. Particle size measurements are determined based on the +9 sieve screen process, where the value displayed is the percentage of particles having a particle size of +9 or larger. This value is desired to be as large as possible because it is a good indication of the degradation of the tobacco during the drying process. Finally, the measurement of particle size -14 determines the percentage of the particles under mesh 14 and it is desired to be as small as possible. TABLE 1 Property Process Moisture Moisture Change > Average Average in percentage of the dryer the dryer -the output input i Size of Existing 77.6 73.7 -5! particles New 72.9 70.6 -3 + 9 Size of Existing 6.5 9.1 +40 particles -14 _ +28 New 8.4 10.8 The above detailed description is given primarily for clarity of understanding and unnecessary limitations will not be understood therein, since the modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this description and can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (3)

1. CLAIMS 1.- A drying apparatus with high humidity, for drying cut tobacco, characterized in that it comprises a heated air inlet duct, which extends longitudinally; a first arcuate elbow in flow communication with the inlet duct, the first elbow has a water cooled door, hinged on an exterior wall and having a vertical expansion line formed on the angle of inner curvature of the elbow; an upwardly extending tobacco inlet of trapezoidal cross section in flow communication with the first elbow, the inlet extending upwards, is formed in the first elbow at a point where the vertical expansion of the elbow begins; a drying chamber that extends vertically in communication of the flow with the first elbow; a second arcuate elbow in flow communication with the vertically extending drying chamber, the second elbow has a hinged door, cooled with water on an outer wall; a tangential separator in flow communication with the second elbow, the separator has a tobacco outlet air lock, the separator also has an air leak; a high efficiency cyclone in flow communication with the air exhaust of the tangential separator.
2. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the tobacco has a moisture content in the outlet airlock in the tangential separator of approximately 13 to 15% by weight.
3. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature of the air in the apparatus is maintained from approximately 160 ° C (320 ° F) to approximately 215.6 ° C (420 ° F). . - The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the tobacco has a moisture content at the entrance of the tobacco from approximately 21 to 23% by weight. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the air flow within the apparatus has an average velocity of approximately 1,920 meters (6,300 feet) / minute at the entrance of the tobacco. 6. - The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the heated air inlet duct, which extends longitudinally has a previously selected descending angle of curvature. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the doors cooled with water in the first and second elbows have a plurality of water channels there formed. 8. - The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the outlet air lock inside the tangential separator is a rotary air lock. 9. - The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the vertically extending drying chamber has a length of approximately 18.29 meters (60 feet). 10. - The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the tangential separator is further provided with a hinged door, cooled with water. 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the air exhaust inside the tangential separator is a rotating exhaust of multiple vanes. 12. - The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the interior duct of the drying apparatus is constituted by rounded corners. 13. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the air inlet pipe has a cross sectional width of approximately 167.6 cm (66") and an approximate height of 45.7 cm (18"). 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first arcuate elbow has an approximate vertical expansion of 81.28 cm (32") to approximately 68.58 cm (27") in the tobacco entry area. 15. - The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus exhibits a pressure point 0 inside the tobacco entrance and inside the tangential separator. 16. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the air escape of the tangential separator is further constituted by a first and a second centrally aligned perpendicular air vents is on opposite sides, the first air vent is in flow communication with a first high efficiency cyclone and the second air escape in flow communication with a second high efficiency cyclone. 17. Method for drying high humidity of cut tobacco in a drying apparatus, characterized in that it comprises: circulating air inside a closed drying apparatus; heat the air circulated in an oven; raising the moisture content of the circulated air to a predetermined value; add cut tobacco to the air circulated in a tobacco entrance, the entrance has a rotary airlock located there; drying the tobacco with high humidity conditions in a drying chamber that extends vertically; Separate the tobacco from the air circulated in a tangential separator; and recirculate the air to the oven. 18. - The method for drying cut tobacco according to claim 17, characterized in that the air in circulation has a speed of approximately 1920.2 meters (6,300 feet) / minute. 19. The method for drying cut tobacco according to claim 17, characterized in that the heating of the circulated air heats the air to approximately 182.2 ° C (360 ° F). 20. The method for drying cut tobacco according to claim 17, characterized in that the drying chamber extends vertically approximately 12.8 meters (42 feet). 21. The method for drying tobacco cut according to claim 17, characterized in that the tobacco has a total residence time in the drying apparatus of about 3 seconds. 22. The method for drying tobacco cut according to claim 17, characterized in that the tangential separator has a first and a second air leakage to output the air circulated from the separator. 23. - The method for drying cut tobacco according to claim 17, characterized in that it further comprises separating tobacco material from the recirculated air after the tangential separator using a high efficiency cyclone. 24. - The method for drying cut tobacco according to claim 22, characterized in that the first and second air leaks have connected a first and a second cyclone to separate tobacco from the circulated air. 25. The method for drying tobacco cut according to claim 17, characterized in that it also comprises forming a condensation layer of moisture on the inside of the elbows of the drying apparatus. 26.- A high humidity drying apparatus for cut tobacco, characterized in that it comprises a heated air inlet duct, which extends longitudinally; a first elbow in flow communication with the inlet duct and having an inlet airlock; a drying chamber that extends vertically in flow communication with the first elbow, the drying chamber has an expansion cross-sectional area; a second elbow in flow communication with the drying chamber; and a tangential separator in flow communication with the second elbow, the separator has a tobacco outlet air lock. 27. The drying apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the tangential separator further comprises: an air leakage; and a high efficiency cyclone in flow communication with the air exhaust of the tangential separator. 28. The drying apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the first elbow has a hinged door cooled with water, in an exterior wall. 29. The drying apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the second elbow has a hinged door cooled with water, in an outer wall. 30. The drying apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the tobacco has a moisture content in the outlet airlock in the tangential separator of approximately 13 to 15% by weight. 31. The drying apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the temperature of the air in the apparatus is maintained from 160 ° C (320 ° F) to approximately 215.6 ° C (420 ° F) approximately. 32. The drying apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the tobacco has a moisture content in the inlet air lock of approximately 21 to 23% by weight. 33. The drying apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the air flow inside the apparatus has an average speed of approximately 1,920 meters (6,300 feet) / minute at the entrance of the tobacco. 34.- The drying apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the air inlet duct has a pre-selected descending bend angle. 35.- The drying apparatus according to claim 29, characterized in that the water-cooled door in the first bend has a plurality of water channels therein formed. 36.- The drying apparatus according to claim 29, characterized in that the water-cooled door in the second bend has a plurality of water channels therein formed. 37.- The drying apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the vertically extending drying chamber has a length of approximately 18.29 meters (60 feet). 38.- The drying apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the tangential separator is further provided with a hinged force, cooled with water. 39.- The drying apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the interior duct of the drying apparatus is constituted by rounded corners. 40.- The drying apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the air inlet duct has a width in cross section of approximately 167 cm (76") and an approximate height of 45.7 cm (18"). 41. The co-drying apparatus - with claim 26, characterized in that the first arcuate elbow has an approximate vertical expansion of 81 cm (32") to approximately 68.56 cm (27") in the tobacco entry area. 42. - The drying apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the apparatus exhibits a pressure point 0 inside the air lock. air inlet and inside the tangential separator. 43.- The drying apparatus according to claim 27, characterized in that the air escape of the tangential separator is also constituted by a first and a second perpendicular air exits centrally aligned on opposite sides, the first air escape is in communication of flow with a first cyclone of high efficiency and the second escape of air in flow communication with a second cyclone of high efficiency.