Systems, methods, and apparatuses for application of liquid additives to materials

A system for applying a liquid additive to a material, comprising:

• a mixing chamber having an input opening and an discharge opening, wherein the material to which the liquid additive is to be applied is supplied to the mixing chamber, via the input opening of the mixing chamber;
• a number of rotatable cylinders disposed within the mixing chamber, between the input opening and the discharge opening, wherein each rotatable cylinder includes a plurality of tines extending from the cylinder, such that, when each cylinder is rotated, the plurality of tines move the material from the input opening, through the mixing chamber, to the discharge opening;
• at least one spray nozzle, positioned within the mixing chamber, wherein the at least one spray nozzle is positioned such that the at least one spray nozzle can introduce a controlled amount of liquid additive into the mixing chamber;
• a liquid additive supply reservoir for holding an amount of the liquid additive;
• a pump connecting the liquid additive supply reservoir to the at least one spray nozzle, via an additive supply line, for supplying the liquid additive to the at least one spray nozzle;
• wherein the rate at which the material is moved through the mixing chamber and the amount of liquid additive introduced into the mixing chamber are independently controllable such that the amount of liquid additive that the material is exposed to is controllable;
• and
• a supply hopper having an input opening and an discharge opening for supplying a uniform flow of the material to the mixing chamber, wherein the supply hopper includes an adjustable flow control gate positioned at the discharge opening of the supply hopper.

A method for applying a liquid additive to a material, comprising the steps of:

• receiving the material to which the liquid additive is to be applied within a chamber including an input opening and an discharge opening, wherein the material is supplied to the input opening of the chamber, wherein the chamber also includes a number of rotatable cylinders, wherein each rotatable cylinder includes a plurality of tines extending from the cylinder, wherein each of the tines is removably or permanently affixed to at least one tine support, wherein each tine support is removably or permanently affixed to a rotatable cylinder, and wherein the rotatable cylinders are disposed within the chamber, between the input opening and the discharge opening, such that, when each cylinder is rotated, the plurality of tines move the material from the input opening, through the chamber, to the discharge opening;
• introducing a controlled amount of liquid additive into the chamber;
• rotating the rotatable cylinders, via at least one motor, to intermix the material and the liquid additive within the chamber and convey the material toward the discharge opening, such that the rate at which the material is conveyed through the chamber and the amount of liquid additive introduced into the chamber are independently controllable such that the amount of liquid additive that the material is exposed to is controlled;
• and
• discharging the material to which the liquid additive has been applied through the discharge opening.

A mixing chamber for applying a liquid additive to a material, comprising:

• a chamber having an input opening and an discharge opening, wherein the material to which the liquid additive is to be applied is supplied to the chamber, via the input opening of the chamber;
• a number of rotatable cylinders, wherein each rotatable cylinder includes a plurality of spring biased tines extending from the cylinder, and wherein the rotatable cylinders are disposed within the chamber, between the input opening and the discharge opening, such that, when each cylinder is rotated, the plurality of tines move the material from the input opening, through the chamber, to the discharge opening;
• at least one spray nozzle, positioned within the chamber, wherein the at least one spray nozzle is positioned such that the at least one spray nozzle can introduce a controlled amount of liquid additive into the chamber;
• a liquid additive supply reservoir for holding an amount of the liquid additive;
• and
• a pump connecting the liquid additive supply reservoir to the at least one spray nozzle, via an additive supply line, for supplying the liquid additive to the at least one spray nozzle;
• wherein the rate at which the material is moved through the chamber and the amount of liquid additive introduced into the chamber are independently controllable such that the amount of liquid additive that the material is exposed to is controllable.