Automated malt production system

A processing vessel apparatus comprising:

• an agitator apparatus comprising:
• an auger extending around a main shaft from a first upper point on the main shaft to a second lower point on the main shaft,
• at least two sweeps extending orthogonally from the main shaft from a third point below the second lower point and from a fourth point below the second lower point,
• wherein each of the at least two sweeps has a substantially triangular cross section formed by a sweep vertical surface, a sweep upper surface, and a sweep lower surface,
• wherein the sweep vertical surface is flat in a vertical cross section,
• wherein the sweep vertical surface is located opposite a sweep tapered edge formed by the sweep upper surface and the sweep lower surface;
• a malting chamber comprising a sidewall located between an upper head and a lower head;
• the upper head having a convex configuration and including a process air outlet and an agitator motor connected to the main shaft of the agitator apparatus, wherein the main shaft extends through the upper head;
• the malting chamber including a chamber spray device, at least one lower manway, and a grate located directly above the lower head, wherein the grate is level with a lower edge of the at least one lower manway;
• and
• the lower head including a sloping plenum chamber located directly below the grate, a drainage port, an aeration device, and a spray manifold connected to a lower head spray device, wherein the drainage port is located at the lowest point of the sloping plenum chamber.

An automated malt production system comprising:

• an agitator apparatus comprising:
• an auger extending around a main shaft from a first upper point on the main shaft to a second lower point on the main shaft,
• at least two sweeps extending orthogonally from the main shaft from a third point below the second lower point and from a fourth point below the second lower point,
• wherein each of the at least two sweeps has a substantially triangular cross section formed by a sweep vertical surface, a sweep upper surface, and a sweep lower surface,
• wherein the sweep vertical surface is flat in a vertical cross section,
• wherein the sweep vertical surface is located opposite a sweep tapered edge formed by the sweep upper surface and the sweep lower surface;
• a processing vessel apparatus comprising:
• a malting chamber comprising a sidewall located between an upper head and a lower head,
• the upper head having a convex configuration and including a process air outlet and an agitator motor connected to the main shaft of the agitator apparatus, wherein the main shaft extends through the upper head,
• the malting chamber including a chamber spray device, at least one lower manway, and a grate located directly above the lower head, wherein the grate is level with a lower edge of the at least one lower manway, and
• the lower head including a sloping plenum chamber located directly below the grate, a drainage port, an aeration device, and a spray manifold connected to a lower head spray device, wherein the drainage port is located at the lowest point of the sloping plenum chamber;
• and
• a support skid comprising:
• a process air blower connected to a heater,
• the heater connected to a cooling exchanger,
• the cooling exchanger connected to a humidifying chamber,
• the humidifying chamber connected to the sloping plenum chamber,
• a control panel having a controller, an operator interface, and a plurality of motor control units connected to the agitator motor, the process air blower, and the heater,
• wherein the process air blower, the heater, the cooling exchanger, the humidifying chamber and the control panel are mounted to a skid frame.