WO2024049738A2 - Ring-of-light fixture to maximize energy coupling while maintaining log flotation - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems for heating an extrudate including a shield transmissive to radiant heat, wherein the shield is configured to minimize interaction between a radiative heat assembly and the air bearing, are provided. Methods for heating an extrudate, including minimizing, via the shield, an interaction between the radiative heat assembly and the air bearing, are further provided. Methods for manufacturing an extruded body from an extrudate are further provided.

Description

RING-OF-LIGHT FIXTURE TO MAXIMIZE ENERGY COUPLING WHILE MAINTAINING LOG FLOTATION

Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/403122 filed on September 1, 2022, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Field of the Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure is directed generally to methods and systems for drying an extrudate.

Background

[0003] Extrusion processes are used to produce a wide variety of articles, including ceramic honeycomb bodies, such as those used as particulate filters and catalyst substrates. To produce the resulting article, water or other liquid vehicle may be mixed with a raw material (such as a ceramic-forming mixture) extruded through an extrusion die. The addition of water or other liquid vehicle may reduce the pressure required to push to mixture through the die. However, the added liquid vehicle can cause the resulting article to be soft when the article exits the extruder. The softness may lead to deformation of the extruded article during or immediately following extrusion or in subsequent processing stages. Multiple infrared lamps have been considered as a heating method of suitably high heat-flux to stiffen the skin of the extruded article while enabling fast extrusion speeds. Removing of air bearing support to the extruded article in order to provide more ring-of-light heating exposure to the extruded article resulted in deformation of the extruded article due to lack of support. Accordingly, there is a need in the art to enable heating methods for extrudates that are compatible with air bearing supports. Summary

[0004] This disclosure generally relates to methods for manufacturing an extruded body, and systems and methods for heating an extrudate.

[0005] In an example, a system for heating an extrudate is provided. The system includes a radiative heat assembly configured to heat the extrudate. The system further includes an air bearing configured to support at least a portion of the extrudate after the extrudate is formed by an extruder and while the extrudate is heated. The system further includes a shield transmissive to radiant heat. The shield is configured to minimize interaction between the radiative heat assembly and the air bearing.

[0006] In some examples, the shield may be configured to separate the radiative heat assembly from the air bearing. In other examples, the shield may include fused silica quartz glass. In further examples, the shield may include a hole configured to provide airflow to the extrudate. In further examples, the shield may include a plurality of holes spaced apart. In further examples, the radiative heat assembly may include the shield. In further examples, the extrudate may be formed from a ceramic-forming mixture. In further examples, the air bearing may be between the radiative heat assembly and the extrudate and may be transmissive to radiant heat. In further examples, the radiative heat assembly may include an infrared (IR) light source. In further examples, the IR light source may be arranged as a ring around the extrudate.

[0007] In some examples, the system may include a plurality of IR light sources, each of the plurality of IR light sources independently operable at a predetermined intensity. In other examples, the plurality of IR light sources may be arranged about at least a portion of a circumference of the extrudate.

[0008] In some examples, the system may include a temperature sensor configured to detect a skin temperature of the extrudate; and a controller configured to adjust the radiative heat assembly based on the skin temperature of the extrudate and a desired drying temperature. In other examples, the system may include a temperature sensor configured to detect a skin temperature of the extrudate; and a controller configured to independently adjust the predetermined intensity of each of the plurality of IR light sources based on the skin temperature of the extrudate. [0009] In some examples, the air bearing may include forced air paths configured to add forced air to a plenum of the system to support the extrudate, and suction return paths configured to provide airflow and to extract fluid from the air bearing. In other examples, the forced air may be preheated to a predetermined temperature. In further examples, the air bearing may be configured to recycle and condition at least a portion of the extracted fluid as forced air. In further examples, the fluid may include water vapor.

[0010] In some examples, the extrudate may have a honeycomb structure.

[0011] In some examples, the radiative heat assembly may be configured to maintain the extrudate at a second predetermined temperature. In other examples, the radiative heat assembly may be embedded within the air bearing. In further examples, the radiative heat assembly may include a light-emitting diode (LED). In further examples, the LED may include the shield. In further examples, the radiative heat assembly may include a plurality of LEDs. In further examples, the radiative heat assembly may include a resistive heat element.

[0012] In another example, an assembly may include a plurality of systems arranged coaxially. In some examples, the assembly may include a longitudinal spacer configured to adjust a longitudinal distance between two systems of the plurality of systems. In other examples, the assembly may include temperature sensors connected to each of the plurality of systems, the temperature sensors each configured to detect a skin temperature of the extrudate; and a controller configured to adjust the radiative heat assembly of each of the plurality of systems based on the skin temperature of the extrudate as the extrudate is heated by each of the plurality of systems and based on a desired drying temperature.

[0013] In yet another example, a method for heating an extrudate is provided. The method includes heating, via a radiative heat assembly, an extrudate formed from a wet mixture; supporting, via an air bearing, at least a portion of the extrudate during the heating; and minimizing, via a shield transmissive to radiant heat, an interaction between the radiative heat assembly and the air bearing.

[0014] In some examples, the minimizing may include separating the radiative heat assembly from the air bearing via the shield.

[0015] In some examples, the method may include detecting, via a temperature sensor, a skin temperature of the extrudate. In other examples, the method may includes adjusting, via a controller, the radiative heat assembly based on the skin temperature of the extrudate and a desired drying temperature.

[0016] In some examples, the supporting may include adding forced air to a plenum. In other examples, the forced air may be preheated to a predetermined temperature. In further examples, the supporting may include providing airflow to the extrudate.

[0017] In some examples, the method may include extracting fluid from the air bearing. In other examples, the fluid may include water vapor.

[0018] In some examples, the method may include recycling at least a portion of the extracted fluid as forced air.

[0019] In yet another example, a method for manufacturing an extruded body is provided. The method includes: extruding a ceramic-forming mixture including a liquid and a thermally gellable polymer into an extrudate including an outer peripheral surface having an exit stiffness and an exit temperature upon exiting an extruder; supporting at least a portion of the extrudate exiting the extruder via a gas cushion; and heating the portion of the extrudate within the gas cushion sufficient to provide the outer peripheral surface with a temperature above the exit temperature and below a thermal gelation temperature of the thermally gellable polymer, such that the portion of the extrudate within the gas cushion has a stiffness equal to or greater than the exit stiffness.

[0020] In some examples, the heating may include radiative heating and/or convective heating. In other examples, the convective heating may be provided by the gas cushion. In further examples, the radiative heating may include irradiating the outer peripheral surface of the extrudate with light. In further examples, the radiative heating may include irradiating the outer peripheral surface of the extrudate with a plurality of light sources. In further examples, the radiative heating may include irradiating the outer peripheral surface of the extrudate with a plurality of light sources encircling the extrudate. In further examples, the light may include visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, or a combination thereof. In further examples, the light sources may include one or more lamps shielded from flow from the gas cushion. In further examples, the light sources may include one or more light-transmissive shields that prevent physical contact between flow from the gas cushion and the lamps.

[0021] In some examples, the heating may remove at least some of the liquid from the extrudate. [0022] In some examples, the gas cushion may be provided by a plurality of gas inlet streams. In other examples, one or more gas outlet streams may be removed from the gas cushion. In further examples, the one or more gas outlet streams may contain vapor from the liquid extracted form the extrudate. In further examples, the one or more gas outlet streams may be redirected into one or more of the gas inlet streams. In further examples, vapor in one or more gas outlet streams corresponding to liquid extracted from the extrudate may be removed prior to one or more gas outlet streams being converted into one or more of the gas inlet streams.

[0023] In some examples, the gas cushion may be provided by one or more gas bearing apparatuses, each gas bearing apparatus including a support wall provided with a plurality of ports, wherein the light sources are interspersed among the plurality of ports. In other examples, the gas cushion may be provided by a plurality of support modules, each support module including a support wall, wherein at least one of the support modules includes at least one first wall portion provided with a plurality of ports, and wherein at least one of the support modules includes at least one second wall portion provided with a plurality of light sources. In further examples, at least some of the ports may be configured to deliver the inlet streams. In further examples, a first subset of the ports may be configured to deliver the inlet streams and a second subset of the ports may receive the outlet streams.

[0024] In some examples, the method may include severing the portion of the extrudate to provide the extruded body.

[0025] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] In order that the present disclosure may be well understood, there will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale. Moreover, in the figures, like-referenced numerals designate corresponding parts through the different views. [0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a longitudinal cross-section of an example of a fixture of an example of a system for heating an extrudate, according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a system for heating an extrudate including an example of a fixture, according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of an assembly including an example of a plurality of systems for heating an extrudate, and a corresponding end view of the example of the assembly, according to the principles of the present disclosure; [0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of an assembly including an example of a plurality of systems for heating an extrudate, and a corresponding end view of the example of the assembly, according to the principles of the present disclosure; [0031] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an example of an assembly including examples of varying air bearings within which examples of a radiative heat assembly may be embedded, according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of another example of an assembly including an example of a plurality of systems for heating an extrudate with an example of a controller, according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of another example of an air bearing including an example of an embedded radiative heat assembly, according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 8 illustrates an axial cross-sectional view of another example of an air bearing including an example of an embedded radiative heat assembly, according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 9 illustrates a method for heating an extrudate, according to the principles of the present disclosure; and

[0036] FIG. 10 illustrates a method for manufacturing an extruded body, according to the principles of the present disclosure.

[0037] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Detailed Description

[0038] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

[0039] This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for heating an extrudate and methods for manufacturing an extruded body, and in particular supporting at least a portion of the extrudate with an air bearing while heating the portion of the extrudate in the air bearing. The extrudate is formed from a wet batch mixture, such as a ceramic-forming mixture of one or more ceramic or ceramic precursor materials mixed with a liquid vehicle such as water. The resulting extrudate can be a honeycomb structure, such as used in a particulate filter or catalyst substrate.

[0040] The systems of the present disclosure include a radiative heat assembly configured to heat an extrudate. The radiative heat assembly is configured to heat the extrudate. In an example, the radiatively heat assembly includes an infrared (IR) light source or a plurality of (IR) light sources. Each of the plurality of IR light sources may be independently operable at a predetermined intensity. In another example, the one or more IR light sources may be arranged as one or more rings around the extrudate. In yet another example, the radiative heat assembly includes a light-emitting diode (LED) or a plurality of LEDs. In yet another example, the radiative heat assembly includes a resistive heating element.

[0041] The radiation provided to the extrudate may increase proportionally with the number of IR light sources. Further, a controller may be implemented to adjust the power level of one or more of the IR light sources. The controller may be configured to automatically adjust the power level based on a skin temperature of the extrudate. The skin temperature of the extrudate may be measured by one or more temperature sensors, such as pyrometers.

[0042] The systems of the present disclosure include an air bearing configured to vertically support at least a portion of the extrudate after the extrudate is formed by an extruder. In an example, the air bearing may be between the radiative heat assembly and the extrudate. In another example, the air bearing may be transmissive to radiant heat. In yet another example, the air bearing may include forced air paths configured to add forced air to a plenum of the system to support the extrudate, and suction return paths configured to provide airflow and to extract fluid from the air bearing. In yet another example, the forced air may be preheated to a predetermined temperature. In yet another example, the air bearing may be configured to recycle and condition at least a portion of the extracted fluid as forced air. In yet another example, the fluid may include water vapor. In yet another example, the radiative heat assembly may be embedded within the air bearing.

[0043] The systems of the present disclosure may include a gas cushion configured to support at least a portion of the extrudate exiting the extruder. In an example, convective heating may be provided by the gas cushion. In another example, the gas cushion may be provided by one or more gas inlet streams. In yet another example, one or more gas outlet streams may be removed from the gas cushion. In yet another example, one or more gas outlet streams may contain vapor from the liquid extracted from the extrudate. In yet another example, one or more gas outlet streams may be redirected into one or more gas inlet streams. In yet another example, vapor in one or more gas outlet streams corresponding to liquid extracted from the extrudate may be removed prior to one or more gas outlet streams being converted into one or more gas inlet streams. In yet another example, the gas cushion may be provided by one or more gas bearing apparatuses, each gas bearing apparatus including a support wall provided with a plurality of ports, with light sources interspersed among the plurality of ports. In yet another example, the gas cushion may be provided by a plurality of support modules, each support module including a support wall, at least one of the support modules including at least one first wall portion provided with a plurality of ports, and at least one of the support modules including at least one second wall portion provided with a plurality of light sources. In yet another example, at least some of the ports may be configured to deliver the inlet streams. In yet another example, a first subset of the ports may be configured to deliver the inlet streams and a second subset of the ports may be configured to receive the outlet streams.

[0044] The systems of the present disclosure include a shield transmissive to radiant heat. The shield is configured to minimize interaction between the radiative heat assembly and the air bearing. In an example, a shield transmissive to radiant heat may be transmissive to electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths from about 0.1 micrometers to 100 micrometers. In another example, the shield may be configured to separate the radiative heat assembly from the air bearing. The shield may be made from any material resulting in the property of being transmissive to radiant heat. Examples of materials of which the shield may be made so as to provide a property of being transmissive to radiant heat may include fused silica quartz glass. In yet another example, the shield may include a hole configured to provide airflow to the extrudate. In yet another example, the shield may include a plurality of holes spaced apart. In yet another example, the radiative heat assembly may include the shield. In another example, the radiative heat assembly includes a LED that includes the shield.

[0045] In an example, systems of the present disclosure may include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may be configured to detect a skin temperature of the extrudate. The temperature sensor may be configured to measure the temperature of the skin of the extrudate. The temperature sensor conveys the measured temperature to a controller. The controller may be configured to adjust the radiative heat assembly based on the skin temperature of the extrudate and a desired drying temperature. In yet another example, the controller may be configured to independently adjust the predetermined intensity of each of a plurality of IR light sources based on the skin temperature of the extrudate. In yet another example, systems of the present disclosure may include a plurality of temperature sensors.

[0046] The controller may include a processor that may be in communication with a memory. The memory may store a desired drying temperature which may be set by an operator through a variety of means, such as a graphical user interface. The desired drying temperature may be a single temperature value, a range of temperature values, or a temperature profile corresponding to the temperature sensor contact location(s) on the extrudate. The desired drying temperature may vary based on a wide array of factors, such as the overall dimensions of the extrudate, the internal structure of the extrudate, and the final application of the extrudate. In an example, the desired drying temperature for the extrudate is between 96 °C and 162 °C. In another example, the desired drying temperature is between 86 °C and 120 °C.

[0047] A processor may evaluate the temperatures measured across the extrudate to determine a detected skin temperature. In one example, the detected skin temperature is an array of several temperature measurements taken along the extrudate. The processor may then compare the desired drying temperature to the detected skin temperature. If the detected skin temperature is lower than the desired drying temperature, the processor may increase the power supplied to the IR light sources of the radiative heat assembly to increase the radiation incident upon the extrudate. Similarly, if the detected skin temperature is higher than the desired drying temperature, the processor may decrease the power supplied to the IR light sources of the radiatively heat assembly to lower the radiation incident upon the extrudate.

[0048] In some examples, the controller may be utilized to implement one or more safety features. For example, the controller may be configured to determine that the extrusion of the extrudate has stalled based upon an input received from an extruder. Upon determining that the extrusion has stalled, the controller may turn off the IR light sources of the radiative heat assembly. Similarly, if the controller determines that the detected skin temperature of the extrudate is increasing at an undesirably high rate, the controller can also turn off the IR light sources.

[0049] In an example, a processor may also be in communication with additional elements, such as a display and/or other processors. Examples of a processor may include a general processor, a central processor, a central processing unit, a microcontroller, a proportional- integral-derivative (“PID”) controller, a server, an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), a digital signal processor, a field programmable gate array (“FPGA”), a digital circuit, and/or an analog circuit. The processor may be one or more devices operable to execute logic. The logic may include computer executable instructions or computer code embodied in the memory or in other memory that, when executed by the processor, may cause the processor to perform the features implemented by the logic. The processing capability of the processor may be distributed across multiple entities, such as among multiple processors and memories, optionally including multiple distributed processing systems.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a longitudinal cross-section of an example of a fixture 100 of an example of a system for heating an extrudate is illustrated. Fixture 100 includes an IR light source 102 and may include a plurality of IR light sources 104. As shown in FIG. 1, IR light source 102 and plurality of IR light sources 104 are each arranged as a ring around an extrudate. In the example illustrated in fixture 100, shield 106 is arranged as a concentric, annular ring radially inward from the IR light source 102 or plurality of IR light sources 104. Shield 106 may be transmissive to radiant heat without degrading the performance of the IR light source 102 or plurality of IR light sources 104. Additionally, shield 106 may protect the IR light source 102 or plurality of IR light sources 104 from debris falling from the extrudate onto the IR light source 102 or plurality of IR light sources 104 as the extrudate passes through fixture 100. Additionally, shield 106 advantageously isolates IR light source 102 or plurality of IR light sources 104 from airflow inside fixture 100. Consequently, shield 106 eliminates any possible interaction between IR light source 102 or plurality of IR light sources 104 and the air bearing, such as the air bearing seeping into fixture 100 and potentially cooling IR light source 102 or plurality of IR light sources 104. Additionally, the annular shape provided by shield 106 advantageously provides shape retention for the extrudate. In an example, shield 106 may include a hole or a slot (not shown) configured to provide airflow to the extrudate. Alternatively, in another example, shield 106 may include a plurality of holes or slots (not shown) that are spaced apart. Fixture 100 may include handles 108, 110 configured to facilitate movement of fixture 100 into position as part of a system heating an extrudate in order to receive the extrudate as the extrudate exits the extruder.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 2, a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a system 200 for heating an extrudate 202 is illustrated. System 200 includes fixture 100 shown in a longitudinal cross-section. System 200 includes an air bearing 204 transmissive to radiant heat integrated with fixture 100 to provide simultaneous support and heating to extrudate 202. Air bearing 204 is transmissive to radiant heat, so that radiant heat may pass through air bearing 204 without degrading the performance of the plurality of light sources 104. Air bearing 204 provides vertical support for extrudate 202 without physically contacting extrudate 202, thereby protecting extrudate 202 from deforming as a result of gravity. Air bearing 204 may include heated air, advantageously providing additional heating and drying to extrudate 202 so as to stiffen extrudate 202. In system 200, air bearing 204 does not enter fixture 100 and therefore does not interact with any radiative heat source, at least in part due to shield 106.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 3, a longitudinal cross-sectional view and corresponding end view of an example of an assembly 300 that includes a plurality of systems 302, each of the systems 302 including a circular air bearing 304 and a circular IR light source 310, the circular air bearing 304 and circular IR light source 310 coaxial. The plurality of systems 302 are coaxial such that extrudate 312 may pass through assembly 300. Though not shown in FIG. 3, assembly 300 may include a longitudinal spacer configured to adjust a longitudinal distance between two systems 302 of the assembly 300. Assembly 300 is advantageously modular such that multiple systems 302 may be arranged coaxially with or without longitudinal spacers to achieve ideal stiffening conditions for a given extrudate 312. Air bearing 304 provides a “push- pull” effect that is a result of one or more fluid air paths 306 configured to provide forced fluid (creating a “push” effect) to a plenum 314 to support extrudate 312 and one or more suction return paths 308 configured to provide airflow and to extract fluid from air bearing 304 (creating a “pull” effect), as well as to minimize air dispersion that may adversely affect lamp performance. Examples of the forced fluid may include forced air. Air bearing 304 may be configured to recycle and condition at least a part of the extracted fluid as forced fluid. For example, the extracted fluid may be heated and dried by heat dissipated from IR light source 302. Examples of compounds that may be included in the fluid that may be removed from air bearing 304 by the one or more suction return paths 308 may include water vapor. Air bearing 304 is configured to provide support for extrudate 312 without contact, preventing extrudate 312 from deforming due to the weight of, and the consequent effect of gravity on, extrudate 312. The size of air bearing 304 may be configured to mitigate the weight of extrudate 312 based on the moisture content of extrudate 312, for example by including larger one or more fluid air paths 306 towards the bottom of air bearing 304 to counteract the force of gravity on extrudate 312 and including smaller one or more fluid air paths 306 towards the top of air bearing 304. The forced fluid may be preheated to a predetermined temperature prior to being provided to plenum 314 to heat extrudate 312 via convection. Each of the plurality of system 302 includes a shield 316 separating air bearing 304 from IR light source 310.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 4, a longitudinal cross-sectional view and corresponding end view of an example of an assembly 400 that includes a plurality of systems 402, each of the systems 402 including a semi-circular air bearing 404 and a circular IR light source 410, the semicircular air bearing 404 longitudinally overlapping the circular IR light source 410. The plurality of systems 402 are coaxial such that extrudate 412 may pass through assembly 400. Though not shown in FIG. 4, assembly 400 may include a longitudinal spacer configured to adjust a longitudinal distance between two systems 402 of the assembly 400. Assembly 400 is advantageously modular such that multiple systems 402 may be arranged coaxially with or without longitudinal spacers to achieve ideal stiffening conditions for a given extrudate 412. Air bearing 404 is configured to provide support for extrudate 412 without contact, preventing extrudate 412 from deforming due to the weight of, and the consequent effect of gravity on, extrudate 412. The size of air bearing 404 may be configured to mitigate the weight of extrudate 412 based on the moisture content of extrudate 412, for example by adjusting the size of one or more fluid air paths 406 towards the bottom of air bearing 404 to counteract the force of gravity of extrudate 412 while the one or more fluid air paths 406 towards the sides of air bearing 404 may be smaller. Shield 416 may isolate IR light source 410 in each of the plurality of systems 402 from any airflow from air bearing 404, such as from air seeping into the system 402 and cooling IR light source 410 or the interior surfaces of the system 402.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective view of an example of an assembly 500 including air bearings 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512 is illustrated. Air bearings 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512 may have different longitudinal widths. For example, air bearing 502 has dimensions including longitudinal width Li, and air bearing 504 has dimensions including longitudinal width L2, and Li and L2 may be equal or inequal. Air bearings 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512 may be arranged sequentially in the example of assembly 500 illustrated in FIG. 5, or a sequential order of air bearings 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512 may be rearranged to any sequence of all or some of air bearings 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512, and assembly 500 may further include one or more longitudinal spacers of any longitudinal distance in between any two of air bearings 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512. Accordingly, assembly 500 may advantageously provide heating and support to an extrudate as needed. Heating of an extrudate may be extended through some or all of assembly 500 to enable greater heat penetration into the extrudate. Air bearings 502, 506, 510 each include a plurality of fluid air paths 514 to provide support to counteract the force of gravity of an extrudate. Air bearings 504, 508 include radiant heat light sources embedded within air bearings 504, 508, with shield 516 covering one or more radiant heat light sources and protecting the one or more radiant heat light sources from debris from an extrudate in addition to air bearings 504, 508 providing support for the extrudate. Shield 516 is transmissive to radiant heat. Air bearing 512 includes one or more radiant heat light sources 520 embedded within air bearing 512. Shield 518 is transmissive to radiant heat and covers one or more radiant heat light sources 520 and protects the one or more radiant heat light sources 520 from debris from an extrudate. Shield 518 includes one or more slots or openings 522 configured to provide airflow to an extrudate.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 6, a side view of another example of an assembly 600 including an example of a plurality of systems 604 configured to receive an extrudate from an extrusion die 602. Each of the plurality of systems 604 includes a circular radiant heat source 606 and an air bearing 614. Each of the plurality of systems 604 includes a temperature sensor 608 connected to each of the plurality of systems 604 and configured to detect a skin temperature of the extrudate. Examples of a temperature sensor 608 may include a laser pyrometer. Each of the temperature sensors 608 is connected to a processor 610, which may be connected to a memory 612. Examples of a processor 610 may include a multi-channel temperature controller including a power supply. Processor 610 is configured to adjust the circular radiant heat source 606 of each of the plurality of systems 604 independently based on the skin temperature of the extrudate as the extrudate is heated by each of the plurality of systems 604 and based on a desired drying temperature.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 7, a perspective view of another example of an air bearing 700 that is semi-circular is illustrated. Air bearing 700 includes a radiative heat assembly 702 embedded within air bearing 700. Examples of a radiative heat assembly 702 may include a plurality of high-powered light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or miniature thermal infrared sources. By including the radiative heat assembly 702 embedded within air bearing 700, an extrudate can be heated without compromising support or flotation by air bearing 700. The radiative heat assembly 702 may include focused high-powered LEDs or miniature thermal infrared sources, the focused radiative heat assembly 702 advantageously improving system efficacy. The wavelength emitted by the radiative heat assembly 702 may be selected such that the wavelength is located in the infrared section of the electromagnetic spectrum, so as to minimize eye safety concerns and/or maximize extrudate adsorption. Wavelength emission of the plurality of LEDs or thermal infrared sources may be adjusted individually to target a specific heating profile to the extrudate, further increasing process flexibility. Air bearing 700 further includes a plurality of fluid air paths 704 to provide support to the extrudate. Each of the plurality of LEDs or thermal infrared sources may include a shield on the surface of air bearing 700 to protect the radiative heat assembly 700 from debris from an extrudate and to separate air bearing 700 from the radiative heat assembly 700.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 8, an axial cross-sectional view of another example of an air bearing 800 is illustrated. Air bearing 800 is circular and includes a radiative heat assembly 802 including a plurality of LEDs or thermal infrared sources embedded in air bearing 700.

[0058] In an alternative arrangement, an air bearing may have transaxial slots machined into the inner annular surface of the air bearing, similar to one or more slots 520. The one or more slots are configured to include half-round or sectional lamps or resistive heaters placed inside the one or more slots. Forced fluid may pass through a pocket underneath the air bearing and slot surfaces to provide cooling to the lamps or heaters. The forced fluid provides air bearing functionality, while maintaining or heating an extrudate through forced fluid heating. Light and/or temperature sensors may be installed on top of the extrudate to cut off current to the lamps or resistive heaters when an extrudate is not present, providing a safety switch.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 9, an example of a method 900 for heating an extrudate is illustrated. Method 900 includes heating 902, via a radiative heat assembly, an extrudate from a wet mixture. Method 900 further includes supporting 904, via an air bearing, at least a portion of the extrudate during the heating. Method 900 further includes minimizing 906, via a shield transmissive to radiant heat, an interaction between the radiative heat assembly and the air bearing.

[0060] In another example, the minimizing 906 of method 900 includes separating the radiative heat assembly from the air bearing via the shield. In yet another example, method 900 includes detecting, via a temperature sensor, a skin temperature of the extrudate. In yet another example, method 900 includes adjusting, via a controller, the radiative heat assembly based on the skin temperature of the extrudate and a desired drying temperature. In yet another example, the supporting 904 of method 900 includes adding forced air to a plenum. In yet another example, the supporting 904 of method 900 further includes providing airflow to the extrudate. In yet another example, method 900 further includes extracting fluid from the air bearing. In yet another example, method 900 further includes recycling at least a portion of the extracted fluid as forced air.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 10, an example of a method 1000 for manufacturing an extruded body is illustrated. Method 1000 includes extruding 1002 a ceramic-forming mixture including a liquid and a thermally gellable polymer into an extrudate including an outer peripheral surface having an exit stiffness and an exit temperature upon exiting an extruder. Method 1000 further includes supporting 1004 at least a portion of the extrudate exiting the extruder via a gas cushion. Method 1000 further includes heating 1006 the portion of the extrudate within the gas cushion sufficient to provide the outer peripheral surface with a temperature above the exit temperature and below a thermal gelation temperature of the thermally gellable polymer, such that the portion of the extrudate within the gas cushion has a stiffness equal to or greater than the exit stiffness. [0062] In another example, the heating 1006 of method 1000 includes radiative heating and/or convective heating. In yet another example, radiative heating includes irradiating the outer peripheral surface of the extrudate with light. In yet another example, radiative heating includes irradiating the outer peripheral surface of the extrudate with a plurality of light sources. In yet another example, radiative heating includes irradiating the outer peripheral surface of the extrudate with a plurality of light sources encircling the extrudate. In yet another example, method 1000 further includes severing the portion of the extrudate to provide the extruded body.

[0063] In adding reference denotations to elements of each drawing, although the same elements may be displayed on a different drawing, it should be noted that the same elements have the same denotations. In addition, in describing one aspect of the present disclosure, if it is determined that a detailed description of related well-known configurations or functions blurs the gist of one aspect of the present disclosure, it will be omitted.

[0064] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0065] The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

[0066] The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, in other words, elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, in other words, “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

[0067] As used herein, in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, in other words, the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of’ or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (in other words, “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.”

[0068] As used herein, in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements can optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

[0069] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

[0070] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, in other words, to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0071] The above-described examples of the described subject matter may be implemented in any of numerous ways. For example, some aspects may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof. When any aspect is implemented at least in part in software, the software code can be executed on any suitable processor or collection of processors, whether provided in a single device or computer or distributed among multiple devi ces/ computers .

[0072] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various examples of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams can represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which includes one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, may be implemented by special purpose hardwarebased systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0073] Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims and other claims to which the applicant may be entitled.

[0074] While various examples have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the examples described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific examples described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing examples are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, examples may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Examples of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and /or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, it is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0075] The subject-matter of the disclosure may also relate, among others, to the following aspects: [0076] A first aspect relates to a system for heating an extrudate, comprising: a radiative heat assembly configured to heat the extrudate; an air bearing configured to support at least a portion of the extrudate after the extrudate is formed by an extruder and while the extrudate is heated; and a shield transmissive to radiant heat; wherein the shield is configured to minimize interaction between the radiative heat assembly and the air bearing.

[0077] A second aspect relates to the system of aspect 1, wherein the shield is configured to separate the radiative heat assembly from the air bearing.

[0078] A third aspect relates to the system of any preceding aspect, wherein the shield comprises fused silica quartz glass.

[0079] A fourth aspect relates to the system of any preceding aspect, wherein the shield comprises a hole configured to provide airflow to the extrudate.

[0080] A fifth aspect relates to the system of aspect 4, wherein the shield comprises a plurality of holes spaced apart.

[0081] A sixth aspect relates to the system of aspect 1, wherein the radiative heat assembly comprises the shield.

[0082] A seventh aspect relates to the system of any preceding aspect, wherein the extrudate is formed from a ceramic-forming mixture.

[0083] An eighth aspect relates to the system of any preceding aspect, wherein the air bearing is between the radiative heat assembly and the extrudate and is transmissive to radiant heat.

[0084] A ninth aspect relates to the system of any preceding aspect, wherein the radiative heat assembly comprises an infrared (IR) light source.

[0085] A tenth aspect relates to the system of aspect 9, wherein the IR light source is arranged as a ring around the extrudate.

[0086] An eleventh aspect relates to the system of aspect 9, comprising a plurality of IR light sources, each of the plurality of IR light sources independently operable at a predetermined intensity.

[0087] A twelfth aspect relates to the system of aspect 11, wherein the plurality of IR light sources are arranged about at least a portion of a circumference of the extrudate.

[0088] A thirteenth aspect relates to the system of aspect 12, further comprising: a temperature sensor configured to detect a skin temperature of the extrudate; and a controller configured to independently adjust the predetermined intensity of each of the plurality of IR light sources based on the skin temperature of the extrudate.

[0089] A fourteenth aspect relates to the system of any preceding aspect, wherein the air bearing comprises forced air paths configured to add forced air to a plenum of the system to support the extrudate; and suction return paths configured to provide airflow and to extract fluid from the air bearing.

[0090] A fifteenth aspect relates to the system of aspect 14, wherein the forced air is preheated to a predetermined temperature.

[0091] A sixteenth aspect relates to the system of aspect 14, wherein the air bearing is configured to recycle and condition at least a portion of the extracted fluid as forced air.

[0092] A seventeenth aspect relates to the system of aspect 14, wherein the fluid comprises a water vapor.

[0093] An eighteenth aspect relates to the system of aspects 1 to 12, further comprising: a temperature sensor configured to detect a skin temperature of the extrudate; and a controller configured to adjust the radiative heat assembly based on the skin temperature of the extrudate and a desired drying temperature.

[0094] A nineteenth aspect relates to the system of any preceding aspect, wherein the extrudate has a honeycomb structure.

[0095] A twentieth aspect relates to the system of any preceding aspect, wherein the radiative heat assembly is configured to maintain the extrudate at a second predetermined temperature. [0096] A twenty-first aspect relates to an assembly comprising a plurality of systems of any preceding aspect, the plurality of systems arranged coaxially.

[0097] A twenty-second aspect relates to the assembly of aspect 21, comprising a longitudinal spacer configured to adjust a longitudinal distance between two systems of the plurality of systems.

[0098] A twenty-third aspect relates to the assembly of aspect 21, further comprising: temperature sensors connected to each of the plurality of systems, the temperature sensors each configured to detect a skin temperature of the extrudate; and a controller configured to adjust the radiative heat assembly of each of the plurality of systems based on the skin temperature of the extrudate as the extrudate is heated by each of the plurality of systems and based on a desired drying temperature. [0099] A twenty-fourth aspect relates to the system of aspect 1, wherein the radiative heat assembly is embedded within the air bearing.

[0100] A twenty-fifth aspect relates to the system of any preceding aspect, wherein the radiative heat assembly comprises a light-emitting diode (LED).

[0101] A twenty-sixth aspect relates to the system of aspect 25, wherein the LED comprises the shield.

[0102] A twenty-seventh aspect relates to the system of aspect 25, wherein the radiative heat assembly comprises a plurality of LEDs.

[0103] A twenty-eighth aspect relates to the system of any preceding aspect, wherein the radiative heat assembly comprises a resistive heating element.

[0104] A twenty -ninth aspect relates to a method for heating an extrudate, comprising: heating, via a radiative heat assembly, an extrudate formed from a wet mixture; supporting, via an air bearing, at least a portion of the extrudate during the heating; and minimizing, via a shield transmissive to radiant heat, an interaction between the radiative heat assembly and the air bearing.

[0105] A thirtieth aspect relates to the method of aspect 29, wherein the minimizing comprises separating the radiative heat assembly from the air bearing via the shield.

[0106] A thirty-first aspect relates to the method of aspects 29 or 30, further comprising detecting, via a temperature sensor, a skin temperature of the extrudate.

[0107] A thirty-second aspect relates to the method of aspect 31, further comprising adjusting, via a controller, the radiative heat assembly based on the skin temperature of the extrudate and a desired drying temperature.

[0108] A thirty-third aspect relates to the method of aspects 29 - 32, wherein the supporting comprises adding forced air to a plenum.

[0109] A thirty-fourth aspect relates to the method of aspect 33, wherein the forced air is preheated to a predetermined temperature.

[0110] A thirty-fifth aspect relates to the method of aspects 29 - 34, wherein the supporting further comprises providing airflow to the extrudate.

[OHl] A thirty-sixth aspect relates to the method of aspects 29 - 35, further comprising extracting fluid from the air bearing. [0112] A thirty-seventh aspect relates to the method of aspect 36, wherein the fluid comprises water vapor.

[0113] A thirty-eighth aspect relates to the method of aspect 36, further comprising recycling at least a portion of the extracted fluid as forced air.

[0114] A thirty-ninth aspect relates to a method for manufacturing an extruded body, the method comprising: extruding a ceramic-forming mixture comprising a liquid and a thermally gellable polymer into an extrudate comprising an outer peripheral surface having an exit stiffness and an exit temperature upon exiting an extruder; supporting at least a portion of the extrudate exiting the extruder via a gas cushion; and heating the portion of the extrudate within the gas cushion sufficient to provide the outer peripheral surface with a temperature above the exit temperature and below a thermal gelation temperature of the thermally gellable polymer, such that the portion of the extrudate within the gas cushion has a stiffness equal to or greater than the exit stiffness.

[0115] A fortieth aspect relates to the method of aspect 39, wherein the heating comprises radiative heating and/or convective heating.

[0116] A forty-first aspect relates to the method of aspect 40, wherein the convective heating is provided by the gas cushion.

[0117] A forty-second aspect relates to the method of aspect 40, wherein the radiative heating comprises irradiating the outer peripheral surface of the extrudate with light.

[0118] A forty -third aspect relates to the method of aspect 40, wherein the radiative heating comprises irradiating the outer peripheral surface of the extrudate with a plurality of light sources.

[0119] A forty-fourth aspect relates to the method of aspect 40, wherein the radiative heating comprises irradiating the outer peripheral surface of the extrudate with a plurality of light sources encircling the extrudate.

[0120] A forty-fifth aspect relates to the method of aspects 42 - 44, wherein the light is comprised of visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, or a combination thereof.

[0121] A forty-sixth aspect relates to the method of aspects 43 - 45, wherein the light sources comprise one or more lamps shielded from flow from the gas cushion. [0122] A forty-seventh aspect relates to the method of aspects 43 - 46, wherein the light sources comprise one or more light-transmissive shields that prevent physical contact between flow from the gas cushion and the lamps.

[0123] A forty-eighth aspect relates to the method of aspect 40, wherein the heating removes at least some of the liquid from the extrudate.

[0124] A forty-ninth aspect relates to the method of aspect 40, wherein the gas cushion is provided by a plurality of gas inlet streams.

[0125] A fiftieth aspect relates to the method of aspect 40, wherein one or more gas outlet streams are removed from the gas cushion.

[0126] A fifty-first aspect relates to the method of aspect 50, wherein the one or more gas outlet streams contain vapor from the liquid extracted from the extrudate.

[0127] A fifty-second aspect relates to the method of aspect 50, wherein the one or more gas outlet streams are redirected into one or more of the gas inlet streams.

[0128] A fifty-third aspect relates to the method of aspect 51, wherein vapor in one or more gas outlet streams corresponding to liquid extracted from the extrudate is removed prior to one or more gas outlet streams being converted into one or more of the gas inlet streams.

[0129] A fifty-fourth aspect relates to the method of aspects 39 - 53, wherein the gas cushion is provided by one or more gas bearing apparatuses, each gas bearing apparatus being comprised of a support wall provided with a plurality of ports, wherein the light sources are interspersed among the plurality of ports.

[0130] A fifty-fifth aspect relates to the method of aspects 39 - 53, wherein the gas cushion is provided by a plurality of support modules, each support module being comprised of a support wall, wherein at least one of the support modules comprises at least one first wall portion provided with a plurality of ports, and wherein at least one of the support modules comprises at least one second wall portion provided with a plurality of light sources.

[0131] A fifty-sixth aspect relates to the method of aspects 54 - 55, wherein at least some of the ports are configured to deliver the inlet streams.

[0132] A fifty-seventh aspect relates to the method of aspects 54 - 55, wherein a first subset of the ports are configured to deliver the inlet streams and a second subset of the ports receive the outlet streams. [0133] A fifty-eighth aspect relates to the method of aspects 39 - 57, further comprising severing the portion of the extrudate to provide the extruded body.

[0134] A fifty-ninth aspect relates to the method of aspect 58, wherein the extruded body is severed from the extrudate after the heating.

[0135] In addition to the features mentioned in each of the independent aspects enumerated above, some examples may show, alone or in combination, the optional features mentioned in the dependent aspects and/or as disclosed in the description above and shown in the figures.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1. A system for heating an extrudate, comprising: a radiative heat assembly configured to heat the extrudate; an air bearing configured to support at least a portion of the extrudate after the extrudate is formed by an extruder and while the extrudate is heated; and a shield transmissive to radiant heat; wherein the shield is configured to minimize interaction between the radiative heat assembly and the air bearing.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the shield is configured to separate the radiative heat assembly from the air bearing.

3. The system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the shield comprises fused silica quartz glass.

4. The system of claims 1 - 3, wherein the shield comprises a hole configured to provide airflow to the extrudate.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the shield comprises a plurality of holes spaced apart.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the radiative heat assembly comprises the shield.

7. The system of claims 1 - 6, wherein the extrudate is formed from a ceramicforming mixture.

8. The system of claims 1 - 7, wherein the air bearing is between the radiative heat assembly and the extrudate and is transmissive to radiant heat.

9. The system of claims 1 - 8, wherein the radiative heat assembly comprises an infrared (IR) light source.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the IR light source is arranged as a ring around the extrudate.

11. The system of claim 9, comprising a plurality of IR light sources, each of the plurality of IR light sources independently operable at a predetermined intensity.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of IR light sources are arranged about at least a portion of a circumference of the extrudate.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a temperature sensor configured to detect a skin temperature of the extrudate; and a controller configured to independently adjust the predetermined intensity of each of the plurality of IR light sources based on the skin temperature of the extrudate.

14. The system of claims 1 - 13, wherein the air bearing comprises forced air paths configured to add forced air to a plenum of the system to support the extrudate; and suction return paths configured to provide airflow and to extract fluid from the air bearing.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the forced air is preheated to a predetermined temperature.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the air bearing is configured to recycle and condition at least a portion of the extracted fluid as forced air.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the fluid comprises water vapor.

18. The system of claims 1 - 12, further comprising: a temperature sensor configured to detect a skin temperature of the extrudate; and a controller configured to adjust the radiative heat assembly based on the skin temperature of the extrudate and a desired drying temperature.

19. The system of claims 1 - 18, wherein the extrudate has a honeycomb structure.

20. The system of claims 1 - 19, wherein the radiative heat assembly is configured to maintain the extrudate at a second predetermined temperature.

21. An assembly comprising a plurality of systems of claims 1 - 20, the plurality of systems arranged coaxially.

22. The assembly of claim 21, comprising a longitudinal spacer configured to adjust a longitudinal distance between two systems of the plurality of systems.

23. The assembly of claim 21, further comprising: temperature sensors connected to each of the plurality of systems, the temperature sensors each configured to detect a skin temperature of the extrudate; and a controller configured to adjust the radiative heat assembly of each of the plurality of systems based on the skin temperature of the extrudate as the extrudate is heated by each of the plurality of systems and based on a desired drying temperature.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the radiative heat assembly is embedded within the air bearing.

25. The system of claims 1 - 24, wherein the radiative heat assembly comprises a light-emitting diode (LED).

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the LED comprises the shield.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the radiative heat assembly comprises a plurality of LEDs.

28. The system of claims 1 - 27, wherein the radiative heat assembly comprises a resistive heating element.

29. A method for heating an extrudate, comprising: heating, via a radiative heat assembly, an extrudate formed from a wet mixture; supporting, via an air bearing, at least a portion of the extrudate during the heating; and minimizing, via a shield transmissive to radiant heat, an interaction between the radiative heat assembly and the air bearing.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the minimizing comprises separating the radiative heat assembly from the air bearing via the shield.

31. The method of claim 29 or claim 30, further comprising detecting, via a temperature sensor, a skin temperature of the extrudate.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising adjusting, via a controller, the radiative heat assembly based on the skin temperature of the extrudate and a desired drying temperature.

33. The method of claims 29 - 32, wherein the supporting comprises adding forced air to a plenum.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the forced air is preheated to a predetermined temperature.

35. The method of claims 29 - 34, wherein the supporting further comprises providing airflow to the extrudate.

36. The method of claims 29 - 35, further comprising extracting fluid from the air bearing.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the fluid comprises water vapor.

38. The method of claim 36, further comprising recycling at least a portion of the extracted fluid as forced air.

39. A method for manufacturing an extruded body, the method comprising: extruding a ceramic-forming mixture comprising a liquid and a thermally gellable polymer into an extrudate comprising an outer peripheral surface having an exit stiffness and an exit temperature upon exiting an extruder; supporting at least a portion of the extrudate exiting the extruder via a gas cushion; and heating the portion of the extrudate within the gas cushion sufficient to provide the outer peripheral surface with a temperature above the exit temperature and below a thermal gelation temperature of the thermally gellable polymer, such that the portion of the extrudate within the gas cushion has a stiffness equal to or greater than the exit stiffness.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the heating comprises radiative heating and/or convective heating.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the convective heating is provided by the gas cushion.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the radiative heating comprises irradiating the outer peripheral surface of the extrudate with light.

43. The method of claim 40, wherein the radiative heating comprises irradiating the outer peripheral surface of the extrudate with a plurality of light sources.

44. The method of claim 40, wherein the radiative heating comprises irradiating the outer peripheral surface of the extrudate with a plurality of light sources encircling the extrudate.

45. The method of claims 42 - 44, wherein the light is comprised of visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, or a combination thereof.

46. The method of claims 43 - 45, wherein the light sources comprise one or more lamps shielded from flow from the gas cushion.

47. The method of claims 43 - 46, wherein the light sources comprise one or more light-transmissive shields that prevent physical contact between flow from the gas cushion and the lamps.

48. The method of claim 40, wherein the heating removes at least some of the liquid from the extrudate.

49. The method of claim 40, wherein the gas cushion is provided by a plurality of gas inlet streams.

50. The method of claim 40, wherein one or more gas outlet streams are removed from the gas cushion.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the one or more gas outlet streams contain vapor from the liquid extracted from the extrudate.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the one or more gas outlet streams are redirected into one or more of the gas inlet streams.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein vapor in one or more gas outlet streams corresponding to liquid extracted from the extrudate is removed prior to one or more gas outlet streams being converted into one or more of the gas inlet streams.

54. The method of claims 39 - 53, wherein the gas cushion is provided by one or more gas bearing apparatuses, each gas bearing apparatus being comprised of a support wall provided with a plurality of ports, wherein the light sources are interspersed among the plurality of ports.

55. The method of claims 39 - 53, wherein the gas cushion is provided by a plurality of support modules, each support module being comprised of a support wall, wherein at least one of the support modules comprises at least one first wall portion provided with a plurality of ports, and wherein at least one of the support modules comprises at least one second wall portion provided with a plurality of light sources.

56. The method of claims 54 - 55, wherein at least some of the ports are configured to deliver the inlet streams.

57. The method of claims 54 - 55, wherein a first subset of the ports are configured to deliver the inlet streams and a second subset of the ports receive the outlet streams.

58. The method of claims 39 - 57, further comprising severing the portion of the extrudate to provide the extruded body.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the extruded body is severed from the extrudate after the heating.