Abstract: A method for hydrothermal processing of a raw grain composition for production of food or animal feeds is provided. The method includes the steps of contacting a raw grain composition in a conditioning chamber with steam produced from boiler water in a boiler and delivered through a conduit including a pressure-reduction valve and through a steam inlet on the conditioning chamber. The method further includes the step of selecting the pressure-reduction valve to reduce the pressure in the conduit downstream of the valve to a value of no less than 30% of the boiler pressure. The method also includes the step of sizing the conduit so that stoichiometric amounts of steam can be delivered to the conditioning chamber at a linear velocity in the conduit of about 8,000 to about 12,000 feet per minute measured downstream of the pressure-reduction valve.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for hydrothermally processing a raw grain composition with steam in a conditioner as a preliminary step in the production of a pelletized feed product. More specifically, this invention is directed to an apparatus and a method for massing in-process grain composition in a chamber to enhance efficacy and efficiency of hydrothermal treatment and to improve the production rate and quality of pelletized feeds.