Device for processing a flow solid products by means of a flow of liquid, more particularly for cooling vegetables

A device for processing the flow of solid products with a counter-current flow of liquid, so as to ensure at least one of thermal, physical or chemical exchange between the two flows, for example for cooling vegetables, comprising a drum rotating about its longitudinal axis, an endless helix or screw arranged within the drum and linked in rotation therewith, the edge of each turn of the helix coming into contact with the internal surface of the drum to thus define sections, means for feeding the products at one end of the drum and means for feeding the liquid at the other end thereof, so that the products and liquid are successively fed to each of the sections, at least one solid product contacting vane or blade element being secured to the internal face of the drum between two adjacent turns of the helix so as to come into contact with the solid products and to impede the progression of the products in the drum, and liquid passing means for allowing the liquid to pass from one section to the next upstream section with respect to the direction of progression of the solid products in the drum, and retaining the products in the section, said liquid passing means being formed in the portion of the turn of the helix located upstream of the vane, with respect of the direction of progression of the products in the drum, the portion of the liquid passing means being located immediately above and upstream of the face of the vane in the direction of rotation of the drum, the vane being a partition wall secured by one of its sides to the internal face of the cylinder of the drum and forming an angle .alpha. between about 20.degree. and about 60.degree. with the diametral plane of the drum passing through the line of contact between the side of the vane and the internal face of the cylinder of the drum, thereby separating the liquid from the solid products under the action of a compression exerted by the vane or blade element.

A device for processing the flow of solid products with a counter-current flow of liquid, so as to ensure at least one of thermal, physical or chemical exchange between the two flows, for example for cooling vegetables, comprising a drum rotating about its longitudinal axis, an endless helix or screw arranged within the drum and linked in rotation therewith, the edge of each turn of the helix coming into contact with the internal surface of the drum to thus define sections, means for feeding the products at one end of the drum and means for feeding the liquid at the other end thereof, so that the products and liquid are successively fed to each of the sections, at least one solid product contacting vane or blade element being secured to the internal face of the drum between two adjacent turns of the helix so as to come into contact with the solid products and to impede the progression of the products in the drum, and liquid passing means for allowing the liquid to pass from one section to the next upstream section with respect to the direction of progression of the solid products in the drum, and retaining the products in the section, said liquid passing means being formed in the portion of the turn of the helix located upstream of the vane, with respect to the direction of progression of the products in the drum, the portion of the liquid passing means being located immediately above and upstream of the face of the vane in the direction of rotation of the drum, the vanes being constituted by dihedral members, a side thereof located upstream with respect to the direction of rotation of the drum constituting the vane proper, and a downstream side thereof constituting a supporting side for the upstream side and impeding passage of the solid products below the vane or blade element, thereby separating the liquid from the solid products under the action of a compression exerted by the vane or blade element.