Degerminator

A degerminator comprising:

• a first plate assembly comprising a plurality of protrusions;
• an enclosure that at least partially surrounds the first plate assembly;
• and
• a second plate assembly comprising a plurality of protrusions that face the protrusions of the first plate assembly, wherein the second plate assembly further comprises a seal with a channel that is configured to receive a fluid for moving the seal between a deflated position and an inflated position, wherein the second plate assembly is movable between a first position, in which the second plate assembly does not engage the enclosure, and a second position, in which the seal engages the enclosure when the seal is in the inflated position.

A degerminator comprising:

• a frame;
• a first plate assembly comprising a plurality of protrusions, wherein the first plate assembly is rotatably coupled to the frame;
• a second plate assembly comprising a plurality of protrusions that face the protrusions of the first plate assembly;
• a plurality of supports each coupled to one of the frame and the second plate assembly;
• a plurality of guides each coupled to one of the frame and the second plate assembly, wherein each of the guides receives one of the supports;
• and
• a plurality of actuators each coupled to both the frame and the second plate assembly, wherein the actuators are operable to move the second plate assembly relative to the first plate assembly.

A degerminator comprising:

• a side wall surrounding a chamber;
• a first plate comprising a plurality of protrusions, wherein the first plate is at least partially positioned within the chamber;
• a second plate comprising a plurality of protrusions, wherein there is a gap between the first plate and the second plate;
• and
• a removable wear ring that is at least partially positioned between the side wall and the first plate within the chamber, wherein the removable wear ring extends from a top of the side wall to past the gap between the first plate and the second plate.

A degerminator comprising:

• a side wall surrounding a chamber;
• a plate comprising a plurality of protrusions, wherein the plate is at least partially positioned within the chamber;
• and
• a removable wear ring that is at least partially positioned between the side wall and the plate within the chamber, wherein the wear ring is configured to be moved vertically upward to remove it from the chamber.