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US 4,686,779 AGranted
Method of and apparatus for particulate matter conditioning
AssigneeVE Holding Corp.
InventorsW. Gerald Wyatt, Richard L. White, Jim Bleke
Life of this patent
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AssigneeVE Holding Corp.
InventorsW. Gerald Wyatt, Richard L. White, Jim Bleke
Estimating the term…
A conditioning system for particulate matter comprising a vertical conditioning vessel adapted for the counter-current flow of particulate matter and treatment fluid therethrough. The particulate matter such as grain, is fed into an upper region of the vertical vessel while treatment fluid such as steam and non-condensible gases is fed into a lower region of the vessel. A plurality of paddles adapted for rotation through the counter-current flow of particulate matter and treatment fluid are provided among a plurality of stators. The rotation of the paddles about the stators creates a plurality of notional mixture planes facilitating homogenous interaction between the treatment fluid and the particulate matter thereby providing control of temperature and/or moisture levels therein. In this manner, heat may be added to particulate matter such as grain to alter the molecular structure thereof and/or increase lubricity for subsequent operations such as pelletizing.
An improved system for the conditioning of particulate matter of the type wherein said particulate matter to be conditioned is exposed to treatment fluid within a vessel for select temperature and/or moisture level control, the improvement comprises:
An improved method for conditioning of particulate matter of the type wherein said particulate matter to be conditioned is exposed to treatment fluid within a vessel homogeneous for select temperature and/or moisture level control, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of:
An improved grain treatment system for conditioning grain and microingredients thereof with heat and moisture prior to pelletization, wherein a vessel is provided and includes means for the feeding of grain therein, the passage of grain therethrough, discharge of grain therefrom and having means for injecting steam therein to heat and moisturize grain and microingredients within said vessel, wherein the improvement comprises a generally vertically disposed processing vessel having side walls adapted for controlled vertical descent of grain therethrough, means for injecting the steam into said vessel for counter-current ascending flow therethrough and the homogeneous mixing therein of said grain and steam for generally uniform time periods, means for maintaining a generally vertical homogeneous counter-current flow between said grain and steam, said means for maintaining said flow including a generally vertical shaft and a plurality of paddles secured thereto and extending laterally therefrom for rotation through said grain and a plurality of stators disposed between certain ones of said paddles to establish notional mixture planes of homogeneous grain and steam and means for sealing said generally vertical vessel to substantially prevent the discharge of steam therefrom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.