Apparatus and method for enhanced solvent recovery from solvent extracted material

Apparatus for desolventizing particulate material having a solvent carried thereby, comprising:

• (a) a particulate material inlet and a particulate material outlet positioned at opposite ends of an apparatus housing;
• (b) an upper indirect heating zone below said particulate material inlet and a lower direct heating zone above said particulate material outlet, each of said zones having a plurality of spaced apart horizontal trays for receiving particulate material, said trays defining a vertical series of compartments through which particulate material passes;
• (c) means for transferring said particulate material from one of said trays to a vertically downwardly-spaced tray;
• (d) means for providing steam to said particulate material indirectly in said indirect heating zone;
• (e) means for providing steam to said particulate material directly in said direct heating zone;
• (f) means for agitating said particulate material in each of said trays;
• (g) an integral air-tight flash chamber below said means for providing steam to particulate material directly in said direct heating zone so as to enhance solvent recovery via vaporization of residual solvent from steam which condensed and adheres to the particulate material as the particulate material travels through said direct heating zone prior to discharge of said particulate material from said apparatus;
• (h) means for delivering, under pressure, the vaporized residual solvent to a predetermined compartment in said direct heating zone of said apparatus to provide heat for desolventizing the particulate material;
• and
• (i) a solvent vapor outlet having means for enabling flow capacity adequate to vent said vapor.