Grain processing apparatus and methods

A method of processing grain, comprising:

• providing a drum having an inlet end;
• orienting the drum substantially horizontally;
• providing in the drum a rotor having a substantially horizontal rotor axis extending along the drum and including a plurality of impellers projecting radially from the rotor axis to adjacent the drum;
• introducing grain into the drum adjacent the inlet end;
• rotating the rotor to cause the impellers to stir the grain in the drum;
• and
• drawing a flow of air and grain particles suspended therein from the drum.

A grain processor comprising:

• a substantially cylindrical drum oriented substantially horizontally and having an inlet end;
• a rotor having a rotor axis extending substantially horizontally along the interior of the drum, said rotor comprising a plurality of impellers projecting radially from the rotor axis, the impellers being spaced around and spaced along the rotor axis;
• rotor drive means for rotating the rotor in the drum about the rotor axis;
• grain inlet means for delivering grain to the drum adjacent the inlet end;
• air inlet means separate from the grain inlet means for admitting air into the drum;
• discharge means, including a discharge opening in the drum at a top side thereof;
• and
• vacuum means for applying a vacuum pressure to the discharge opening thereby drawing a flow of air into the air inlet means and through the drum to suspend solids suspended in the flow of air drawn from the drum, through the discharge opening.