Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting a product within a diffuser during a continuous lixiviation process. The apparatus comprises at least one screen deck for the continuous lixiviation process and at least one longitudinal transport zone, the longitudinal transport zone extending between an inlet and outlet of the diffuser. The transport zone may include a plurality of transport zones. A drive means is arranged to move the longitudinal transport zone at a first speed towards the outlet end of the diffuser and to retract the longitudinal transport zone at a second speed which is substantially faster than the first speed towards the inlet end of the diffuser, so that the transport zone drive the product towards the outlet of the diffuser.

Abstract: In a process for solid-liquid extraction, in particular of sucrose from beet cossettes, countercurrent extraction in an extraction tower is employed. The tower juice is drawn off together with the small-sized solid constituents obtained in the process, such as sand, essentially exclusively via side screens.

Abstract: The invention relates to diffusers and in particular to sugar cane diffusers in which the diffuser includes means to feed the material to be extracted into the diffuser and also rake means which are constrained to move in a predetermined horizontal plane and to remove material above that plane in order to provide a uniform distribution of the material on the width of the diffuser sieve.

Abstract: The liquid content of sugar cane bagasse is reduced by a low pressure process having a substantially longer duration than the duration of prior art high pressure liquid removal processes. For this purpose the liquid containing bagasse, as it emerges from a diffuser, is exposed to a relatively slowly increasing yet low pressure as compared to prior art high pressures, whereby the bagasse travels with a substantially constant speed sequentially through a dewatering zone, wherein a further compaction takes place, a preliminary squeeze-out zone and a final squeeze-out zone. During the preliminary squeeze-out the pressure above an open surface area or section without a sieve or screen is about 0.2 kg/cm.sup.2. During the final squeeze-out the pressure (p) is about p/0.6D>0.003, wherein D is the diameter, in mm, of a squeeze-out roller. The pressing duration t in seconds is also related to the squeeze-out roller diameter D such that D:t is smaller than a constant value K.

Abstract: The liquid content of sugar cane bagasse is reduced by a low pressure process having a substantially longer duration than the duration of prior art high pressure liquid removal processes. For this purpose the liquid containing bagasse, as it emerges from a diffuser, is exposed to a relatively slowly increasing yet low pressure as compared to prior art high pressures, whereby the bagasse travels with a substantially constant speed sequentially through a dewatering zone, wherein a further compaction takes place, a preliminary squeeze-out zone and a final squeeze-out zone. During the preliminary squeeze-out the pressure above an open surface area or section without a sieve or screen is about 0.2 kg/cm.sup.2. During the final squeeze-out the pressure (p) is about p/0.6D>0.003, wherein D is the diameter, in mm, of a squeeze-out roller. The pressing duration t in seconds is also related to the squeeze-out roller diameter D such that D:t is smaller than a constant value K 16.

Abstract: A mill, particularly a mill for extracting juice from cane sugar, has a fixed top roller (24), and feed discharge rollers (25) and (26) which are independently pivotable by respective power operated means (47, 51) to vary the feed opening between the feed roller and top roller and the discharge opening between discharge roller and top roller. A trash plate (55) for transferring material between the feed opening and the discharge opening is connected to the feed roller for pivotable movement therewith.

Abstract: Method of improving the recovery of sugar from sugar beets comprising washing the sugar beets to remove impurities therefrom, wholly or partially removing the outer layer of the washed sugar beets, slicing the sugar beets thus obtained and extracting the sliced sugar beets with an aqueous solution to form a sugar juice.Apparatus for wholly or partially removing the surface layer of washed sugar beets, the apparatus comprising two spaced rows of rotatable cylindrical brushes mounted so as to advance sugar beets in the space between the rows while subjecting them to the influence of the brushes to wholly or partially remove the outer layer of the sugar beets.

Abstract: A diffuser, particularly for solvent extraction, and more particularly for the extraction of sugar from sugar cane, the diffuser comprising vertically disposed annular extracting stages, each having means to move the material being processed around each stage, each stage including an orifice for material to fall to a lower extracting stage or to a material removal stage.

Abstract: A counter-current leaching or extraction tower for comminuted vegetable matter such as sugar beet cossettes, or crushed sugar cane, is provided with conveying elements, the longitudinal dimension of which may be altered in response to the operating condition in the material or matter being leached. Especially, the baffle members in the tower and, if desired, also the conveyor screw wings which are arranged to cooperate with the baffle members, are adjustable in their length in response to control signals derived from sensors, such as strain gauges, attached to the conveying elements. The angular position of the conveying elements in a plane parallel to the motion of the screw wings and relative to a radial direction may also be adjustable in response to the same type of control signals. The conveying elements may be constructed to include telescoping members which are longitudinally and thus radially extendable and retractable relative to the volume of the extraction tower.

Abstract: An extraction tower for the counter-current leaching of sugar beets cossettes or crushed sugar cane. The elements which convey the material to be leached through the tower, especially the conveyor screw means and/or the baffle means which are arranged for cooperating with the conveyor screw means are provided with load sensor means, such as strain gauge elements which through control amplifier means control the drive means for the conveying elements to adapt the through-put and thus the conveying to the loads occurring throughout the tower. Even the pump and valve means may be controlled in response to such strain gauge means.