Abstract: Apparatus and method for desolventizing particulate material having a solvent carried thereby wherein an upper indirect heating zone and a lower direct heating zone is provided. Each of the zones has a plurality of spaced apart horizontal trays for receiving particulate material. The trays define a vertical series of compartments through which the particulate material passes. Steam is provided to the particulate material indirectly in said indirect heating zone and directly in said direct heating zone are also included. An integral air tight flash chamber below the compartments enhances solvent recovery via vaporization of residual solvent from the condensed steam adhered to the particulate material traveling through the direct heating zone prior to discharge of the particulate material. The recovered residual solvent is delivered under pressure to a predetermined compartment in the direct heating zone provide heat for desolventizing the solvent-laden particulate material.

Abstract: A continuous separation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) from glycerol in a low pressure dry transesterification process for vegetable oil is provided. Improved purity of the FAME and the glycerol fractions are achieved via the use of continuous decantation so as to thereby eliminate the need for a water wash step for the FAME fraction. Excess methanol from the FAME and the glycerol fractions is readily recovered in a dry vacuum extraction process. Water which has been inadvertently introduced into the process is removed from the recovered excess methanol by desiccant columns equipped with molecular sieves instead of the traditional energy and capital intensive fractionation processes practiced for this purpose.

Abstract: A module used with a granular material dryer, such as a grain dryer. The module includes an outer wall, at least one channel and at least one outlet aperture. The channel is positioned relative to the wall such that the channel is in fluid communication with heated air otherwise passing through the dryer. The outlet aperture is in communication with a suction mechanism. Finally, the channel is associated with the outlet aperture such that the heated air will enter the outlet aperture, via activation of the suction mechanism, whereas the granular material will not occlude the channel or the outer aperture. In one preferred embodiment, the module of the present invention is configured to be insertable with an existing dryer to improve drying efficiency.

Abstract: A tray for supporting particulate material in an apparatus for processing. The tray includes an upper plate which has pluralities of associated groupings of first apertures formed therein. The tray also includes a lower plate which has a plurality of second apertures formed therein. Each of said second apertures corresponds with, and generally underlies, one of the associated groupings of first apertures formed in the upper plate. Further, the tray also includes a plurality of staybolts which extend between the upper and lower plates. Each staybolt has a first end which circumscribes an associated grouping of first apertures and defines a shoulder in engagement with a lower surface of the upper plate. Each staybolt also has a second end received through one of the second apertures. Each staybolt also has a wall defining a conduit passing therethrough from the first to the second end thereof.

Abstract: An improved longitudinal extractor utilizing a solvent for removing an entrained liquid from a carrier medium. The improved extractor includes a sprocket driven continuous chain-link conveyor mounted both in cooperation with an upper carrier medium chamber and a lower liquid collection chamber. The chain link conveyor has an upper run which moves the carrier medium past sparging solvent nozzles and a lower run which cleans the collection chamber by continuously scraping the bottom of the collection chamber free of sedimentation and hazardous build-up. The carrier medium is supported on a plurality of spaced-apart longitudinal members which allow the miscible fluid resulting from percolation removal to flow therebetween into the collection chamber. A plurality of spaced-apart collectors are arranged along the bottom of the collection chamber to provide for continuous removal of the miscible fluid from the collection chamber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for the recovery of organic compounds from fibrous plant materials. Organic compounds which can be recovered from the fibrous plant materials include plant metabolites, such as arabinogalactan and phenols, which can be isolated from the wood, for example, of the Western Larch and Tamarack tree varieties. In addition to the recovery of organic compounds from wood, fibrous wood products also may be isolated, in the form of a clean fiber that can be used, for example, as raw material in wood processing applications or in the manufacture of high quality paper products. In one embodiment, a fibrous plant material first is compressed, to recover a liquid exudate and a first pressed plant fiber product. Optionally, the fibrous plant material, such as wood particles, is compressed in the substantial absence of any added solvent, to produce a pure normal liquid exudate and a first pressed plant product.

Abstract: A device for conditioning particulate matter such as particalized soybean meats and hulls. The device includes a chamber. The chamber includes a lower increased velocity stage in which gas movement is accelerated because of constriction resulting from the interposition of a plurality of staves. The lower increased velocity stage is disposed beneath a normal velocity stage which is coextensive with a discontinuity in a side wall of the chamber through which particulate matter is introduced. Gas flow is introduced into the chamber proximate the bottom end thereof and is directed upwardly in a direction opposite that in which particulate matter passes downwardly under the influence of gravity. The velocity of the gas through the normal velocity stage is regulated so that heavier particulate materials will pass downwardly and lighter materials will pass upwardly.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a solvent from solid or granular particles. The apparatus includes a fully enclosed vessel having multiple stages for effecting the solvent removal therein. Each stage includes an upper deck and a lower deck extending across the width of the vessel generally parallel to one another over a substantial portion of the length of the vessel. A first gear and a second gear are operatively located beyond the ends of the upper and lower decks. A means for conveying solid particles forms a continuous loop extending from the first gear over the lower deck, around the second gear and over the upper deck and back to the first gear. Drive means are provided for rotating the means for conveying solids. The lower deck is heated to a sufficient temperature to cause vaporization of at least a portion of the solvent contaminating the solid particles as the particles are conveyed over the heated deck.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a partially miscible solvent from a contaminated water stream. The apparatus includes a fully enclosed containment vessel having an internal volume bounded by a plurality of walls which define the width, length and height of the internal volume. Devices for feeding the contaminated water, for discharging a solvent rich vapor stream, and for discharging a purified water stream are provided. A dam separates the internal volume into a phase separation zone and a falling film stripping zone with the dam located proximate one end of the internal volume. The dam includes a wall sealably disposed across the entire width of the internal volume and extended upward to a terminal location a distance from the bottom of the internal volume over a portion of the height of the internal volume. In use, the dam determines and maintains a maximum liquid level in the phase separation zone.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for separating intermixed particulate materials. The apparatus (10) includes a housing (12) having a coaxial core (14) disposed therewithin to define an annular space (24) between the core (14) and the wall of the housing (12). A recirculator (46) is provided to provide gas to the housing (12) for cyclonic flow within the annular space (24). The intermixed particulate materials are introduced into the housing (12) and permitted to fall, under the influence of gravity, into the annular space (24) where separation is effected by interaction of the upwardly spiralling gas with the downwardly-passing, intermixed particulate materials.

Abstract: A fastener for securing an attachment such as a guiderail to a surface of a wall. Such an attachment is provided with an internally-threaded aperture to receive the externally-threaded shank of a bolt passed through an aperture in the wall to which the attachment is to be mounted. The fastener includes a hardened washer and a bolt. The bolt is passed through registered apertures in the washer and the mounting wall and then threaded into the internally-threaded aperture in the attachment. The aperture in the washer can be conical in shape so that the shank of the bolt can be accommodated even where the aperture in the attachment is mis-tapped so that the bolt does not extend perpendicular to the wall of the attachment. The outer peripheral surface of the washer is threaded, and a cap is provided with internal threading compatible with the threads formed in the outer peripheral surface of the washer.

Abstract: A granular material treating device. Included are a housing having an input end and an output end and a porous conveyor belt disposed within the housing so that a generally horizontally-disposed run of the belt extends between the input and the output ends of the housing. The belt is configured to be driven to convey granular material, positioned to a desired depth on the belt, from the input end to the output end of the housing. The device also includes a nozzle disposed beneath the run of the belt extending from the input end to the output end of the housing. The nozzle is oriented to blow a gas, at a pressure greater than ambient gas in the housing, upwardly through the belt run. A spout within the granular material is, thereby, created to effect stirring. Finally, the device includes a stave which extends downwardly into the granular material as it is conveyed along the belt.

Abstract: A device for removing coatings from granular materials such as hull-encased meats of grains. The device includes a housing within which is journaled a rotatably disposed drum. A wall is also mounted within the housing, the wall angling downwardly and being spaced at a distance from an outer surface of the drum to define a processing space therebetween. Typically, the processing space narrows downwardly within the housing. The drum is disposed for rotation so that any material fed into the housing through a hopper mounted on the top thereof will be drawn along the drum surface into the processing space. The processing space narrows sufficiently so that an abrasion is effected upon the material as it is deposited within the processing space because of the relative movement of the outer surface of the drum and the downwardly extending wall.

Abstract: A method of conditioning an oil seed for removal of the hull therefrom for subsequent processing of the meat portion of the oil seed. The method includes a step of passing the oil seed, under the influence of gravity, downwardly through a plenum (26) of an oil seed conditioner (18). A gas is introduced into the conditioner (18), proximate a lower end thereof, through an inlet (32). The gas passes upwardly in a counter-current relationship to the downwardly passing oil seed. A plurality of staves (24) are disposed within the plenum (26) and extend thereacross. Consequently, as the oil seed passes downwardly through the plenum (26) it engages and bounces off the staves (24). Downward movement of the oil seed is retarded by the upward flow of the gas and the staves (24). The impacting of the oil seed against the staves (24) effects loosening of the hulls, and the extended period of time the oil seed is maintained within the plenum (26) facilitates crisping of those hulls.

Abstract: A baffle (34) configurable in a cyclone separator (10) in order to improve the flow capacity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the separator (10). The baffle (34) is disposed for vertical insertion through an upper wall (18) of the separation chamber (12) of the separator (10) to effect variable occlusion of an annular space (38) defined between a cylindrical wall (14) of the separation chamber (12) and a vortex finder (26) positioned generally centrally within the separation chamber (12). The baffle (34) functions to decrease pressure drop between an inlet (16) to the separator (10) and an outlet (32) from the separator (10).

Abstract: The present invention is an improved extractor (10) for removing a liquid from a solid carrier medium in which the liquid is entrained. The extraction process is accomplished by utilizing both percolation and immersion removal methods. The extractor (10) includes a plurality of pools (12, 12') through which the solid entraining the liquid therein is moved in a direction counter-flow to that in which a solvent passes through the extractor (10). Percolation removal is effected at the overflow (48, 48') of each pool (12, 12') as solvent washes through the solids being processed. Immersion is effected at the lower end of a sloped floor (22, 22') of each pool (12, 12') where the solids are soaked in the solvent. A final percolation bath (14) can be provided as a last stage of the extractor (10).

Abstract: A continuous process for heat treating flowable materials having liquids thereon and apparatus wherein a first portion of adhering liquid is vaporized in a pre-desolventizer (PDS) consisting of at least one horizontal steam jacketed conveyor tube (60-63), the vaporized vapors of the liquid being directly discharged into a desolventizer (DS) consisting of a vertical chamber being divided into a certain number of compartments (70-73), live steam is introduced into the lowermost compartment (73) to vaporize the remaining portion of liquid adhering on the material and the combined vapors of liquid collected in the upper section of the desolventizer (DS) are discharged into a condenser (91) where a dust-free liquid is recovered. The desolventizer (DS) may also be used as a combined desolventizer-toaster-dryer.

Abstract: A module used with a granular material dryer, such as a grain dryer. The module includes an outer wall, at least one channel and at least one outlet aperture. The channel is positioned relative to the wall such that the channel is in fluid communication with heated air otherwise passing through the dryer. The outlet aperture is in communication with a suction mechanism. Finally, the channel is associated with the outlet aperture such that the heated air will enter the outlet aperture, via activation of the suction mechanism, whereas the granular material will not occlude the channel of the outer aperture. In one preferred embodiment, the module of the present invention is configured to be insertable with an existing dryer to improve drying efficiency.