Abstract: A pellet conditioning device (10) for the cooling and/or drying of preformed discrete pellets (148) is provided which includes an upright pellet-receiving bin (12) with a dual grate assembly (18) therein. The assembly (18) includes a stationary first grate comprising a plurality of upright, apertured grate wall members (86), and a shiftable second grate including a plurality of elongated, obliquely oriented plates (106) located between and in spanning relationship to adjacent pairs of the wall members (86). Shifting structure (20) is provided for selective and sequential translational, rectilinear shifting movement of the lower margins (110) of the plates (106) so as to successively open and close a pellet passageway (117) adjacent each lower margin (110). A duct and fan arrangement (38) is also provided with the bin (12) so as to draw cooling air currents through the grate assembly (18) and pellets (148) therein.

Abstract: A pellet conditioning device (10) for the cooling and/or drying of preformed discrete pellets (148) is provided which includes an upright pellet-receiving bin (12) with a dual grate assembly (18) therein. The assembly (18) includes a stationary first grate comprising a plurality of upright, apertured grate wall members (86), and a shiftable second grate including a plurality of elongated, obliquely oriented plates (106) located between and in spanning relationship to adjacent pairs of the wall members (86). Shifting structure (20) is provided for selective and sequential translational, rectilinear shifting movement of the lower margins (110) of the plates (106) so as to successively open and close a pellet passageway (117) adjacent each lower margin (110). A duct and fan arrangement (38) is also provided with the bin (12) so as to draw cooling air currents through the grate assembly (18) and pellets (148) therein.

Abstract: An improved extrusion conditioning apparatus (10) includes an extrusion and cooker (12) and a closed loop pneumatic conditioning system (14) operatively coupled with the cooker (12). The closed loop system (14) includes a hood (16) disposed about the extruder outlet, together with first and second conduits (20, 22) operatively coupled with the hood and a cyclone separator (18); and a fan (24) and a heater (26) are operatively interposed within the conduit (22). In use, extrudate from extruder (12) is picked up by positive pressure air currents created by the fan (24), and such product is then conveyed to the separator (18) for separation thereof. The separated air then returns to the hood (16) via the conduit (22), and is heated during such return passage. Use of a largely positive pressure, heated air conveying system (14) minimizes product contamination by airborne microorganisms, while at least partially sterilizing the product prior to drying thereof.

Abstract: A recycle control is provided for grain dryers of the type which have a drying column area with heating and cooling zones and a recirculating air blower. During a recirculating mode of the grain dryer, the recirculating blower draws in a mixture of cooling air and heating air from the cooling and heating zones respectively and forces the mixture after additional heating back into the heating zone. The recycle control includes an inlet duct and adjustable louver arrangement which during partial recirculating mode selctively flows outside air into the mixture of cooling air and heating air at an intake portion of the recirculating blower to regulate the extent of dryer recirculation, and control grain drying. During a non-recirculating mode the recirculating blower draws in only outside air.

Abstract: An inlet duct is provided for recirculating grain dryers of the type which have a drying column area, and a recirculating blower mounted in a room portion of the dryer, with an open side of the room communicating with the drying column area. The inlet duct is connected with an intake portion of the recirculating blower, and has an open end thereof disposed adjacent to the open side of the room, whereby during a full recirculating condition of the grain dryer, air is drawn into the recirculating blower substantially wholly from the drying column area. The inlet duct has an aerodynamically streamlined interior shape with walls which taper inwardly toward the blower intake portion for efficiently guiding the flow of air from the drying column area directly into the recirculating blower intake.