Abstract: A fluidization process, particularly well suited for the fluidization of solids difficult to fluidize, wherein the solids are introduced to either an upper or lower fluidized zone while continuously subjecting both the upper and lower fluidized zones to mechanical agitation. The solids flow from the upper fluidized zone downwardly against the fluidizing gas through a plurality of tubular fluidized zones positioned intermediate to the upper and lower fluidized zones wherein the fluidized solids are subjected to heat transfer. The solids flowing from the intermediate tubular zones pass to the lower agitated zone. The process of the invention can be used for a variety of fluidization operations, including physical processes such as drying and chemical processes, and particularly fluidization processes for drying and/or chemically modifying starches.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out fluidized operations including a housing defining an upper chamber and a lower chamber, with each of the chambers containing agitating means therein to insure a high degree of homogeneity in each of the chambers, a plurality of tubes enclosed in a jacket positioned between the upper and lower chambers and communicating therewith, the tubes providing large heat transfer surfaces, inlet means to supply a fluidizable material to the one chamber and outlet means to remove fluidizable material from the other chamber, and means to supply a fluidizing gas to the lower chamber whereby the fluidizing gas passes upwardly through the lower chamber and through the tubes into the upper chamber while fluidizing the material in each of the upper chamber, the tubes and the lower chamber. The apparatus of the invention is particularly well suited for converting starches to dextrin.

Abstract: Process of enzymatically converting glucose to fructose wherein a glucose-containing solution is passed, under specific conditions, through a bed composed of an immobilized glucose isomerase in a fine, particulate form and non-porous beads or granular inert material such as polystyrene beads. The porous beads and granular inert material comprise between 40% and about 75% of the bed by volume. The bead's presence exerts a buoyant effect which prevents bed packing and promotes desirable flow patterns with no observable channelling. This helps to minimize the formation of undesired or undesirable carbohydrates such as psicose.