AU2015201477B2 - Malting factory - Google Patents

Abstract

A malting installation or malting factory for carrying out a malting process, to reproduce the natural germination process of a cereal, is disclosed. The installation comprises, in 5 sequence, at least one dipping tool, at least one sprouter and at least one kiln, with a system of transportation from one to another in that sequence. The installation further comprises a two-part building, with a first part housing each elongated sprouter, at the end of which is mounted one or more dipping 10 tools, and a second part, adjacent to an elongated sprouter, which comprises at least one kiln. The system of transportation comprises a first transverse conveyor operating either with the outlet of each dipping tool or the outlet of at least one discharge conveyor from each sprouter. 6323263_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU DONNAL 1/12 100 132 130 Fig.1 11 / 1022 :-13113 -------------- --- 114 OD-0 .' 0 124J 104 1206 632270_1---- ---P--55.AU---A

Description

1/12

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MALTING FACTORY

The present invention relates to a malting factory.

Malting factories or malting installations are built to carry

out a so called malting process.

In such an installation, it is a main purpose to reproduce the

natural germination process of a cereal. This is done so that

the cereal can develop particular enzymes (notably amylases and

proteases) that are specifically produced during the germination

process. The cereal that can be used is barley, rye, wheat,

sorghum, spelt and other types of cereals.

The malting process consists in treating the cereal by a series

of operations. Those operations comprise in particular: steeping

(or dipping), germination (or sprouting), kilning and deculming.

Once these operations are executed malt is obtained.

The general principles of malting are well known. A summary can

be found in the work by Jean SUNIER entitled "Malting and

Brewing", 2nd Ed., published by La Concorde, Lausanne, 1968, or

in the latest revised edition under the new title "Making Beer",

edited by Alliage, 26 September 2007, ISBN-13 No. 978

2921327602.

In several types of industry there is a great demand for that

malt. Brewing processes, for instance, have a constant demand

for quality malt. The quality of the malt is directly dependent

upon the malting process. Indeed, a fine conducted malting

process can generate fine malt having properties and qualities

that fit to a given standard. Conversely, a poor conducted

malting process will inevitably generate low quality malt that

may not be workable for industrial applications.

Thus there is a constant need to improve malting installations.

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU

Malting installations have been disclosed in GB1487824, GB783226, GB516306, US2654691 and US4277505.

As can be noticed from the prior art, malting can be carried out on an industrial scale in order to cover high-quantity production. For that matter, the prior art installations at least comprise a sprouter equipment in which germination takes place. On a more general fashion, the installations further comprise a dipping equipment (placed upstream of the sprouter equipment) and a kiln equipment (placed downstream of the sprouter equipment) in order to complete the malting process. Recent installations also comprise one or more transportation systems in order to link the different equipments in a working sequence.

Yet, in order to meet the high market's production rates the installations must run automatically. This can affect the quality of the malt. Further, automatic installations are often flawed by unsynchronized interaction of devices carrying out successive operations.

The present invention may improve the situation.

In some forms, an embodiment of the invention may increase the performance of an automatic malting installation by a very specific arrangement of the devices carrying out the different operations of a malting process.

The invention may provide outstanding performance in terms of quality, while attempting to reduce the high capital investment and operating costs, including the acquisition of land, civil engineering and energy needs.

Accordingly, the malting installation of the invention is of the type comprising in sequence at least one dipping tool to provide wet-grain, at least one sprouter to provide sprouted-grain and at least one kiln to provide kiln-dry-grain, having a system of transportation from one to another in that sequence. The

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU installation further comprises a two-part building, with a first part housing each elongated sprouter, at the end of which is mounted one or more dipping tools, and a second part, adjacent to an elongated sprouter, which comprises at least one kiln, wherein the system of transportation comprises a first transverse conveyor operating either with the outlet of each dipping tool or the outlet of at least one discharge conveyor from each sprouter, situated below said sprouter along their length, said first transverse conveyor being followed by an ascending conveyor that is located between the first part and the second part of the two-part building, while the outlet of the ascending conveyor can be switched so that it may be arranged to lead either to a sprouter feed conveyor system for feeding the sprouter or the sprouters with the wet-grain leaving a dipping tool, or towards a kiln feed conveyor system for feeding the kiln or the kilns with the sprouted-grain leaving a sprouter, wherein the dipping tool is selected from the group consisting of an apparatus with controlled flow tank and an apparatus having a homogeneous sprinkling tank; wherein each sprouter comprises a germination tray comprising a raised floor rectangular in shape and having longitudinal and transverse side walls, surrounding the raised floor and a discharging device of the sprouted-grain comprising at least a first transportation member with an endless screw for the outcropping grain above the raised floor, wherein this raised floor has one or more controllable switching portions, each connected to at least a fixed portion of the raised floor by operable pivoting means, at least one controllable switching portion being partially disposed under the endless screw of the first transportation member, while the discharging device furthermore comprises at least one second transportation member for the grain, arranged under said controllable switching portion, and one or more controllable switching portions are intended along each of the transverse side walls and along at least one of the longitudinal side walls and a case having an aerodynamically contoured shape, said case being arranged so as to house the second grain

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU transportation member; and the kiln being arranged in a controlled atmosphere enclosure, and comprising a kilning tray having a grid bottom for receiving the sprouted-grain and means for holding the kilning tray within said enclosure so that the grid bottom is raised in relation to a floor of said enclosure, wherein the floor of this enclosure is constructed as a floor slab, said means for holding comprising a plurality of support legs resting on said floor slab, and the grid bottom of the kilning tray resting on each of said plurality of support legs wherein the grid bottom of the kilning tray is equipped with ventilation openings and a discharge orifice, a ventilation chamber arranged beneath the kilning tray, a carrier arranged beneath the ventilation chamber to collect the kiln-dry-grain during the discharging of the kilning tray through the discharge orifice, and a mechanism for cleaning the ventilation chamber, provided with substantially parallel channels forming the bottom of the ventilation chamber, screw conveyors mounted in the channels, the screws being driven by the carrier in a direction that causes debris from the kiln-dry-grain to fall into a channel to be transported towards the carrier, the carrier being mounted across the ventilation chamber to evacuate said debris during the cleaning of the ventilation chamber; wherein the grid bottom comprises parallel upper bars having at least one upper surface that is substantially horizontal and two symmetrical side surfaces that are inclined in respect to a longitudinal plane, said side surfaces converging mutually from the upper surface, lower bars that are substantially perpendicular to the upper bars, two lateral surfaces that are symmetrical and inclined in respect to the vertical plane, said lateral surfaces converging mutually in the direction of the upper bars, and supporting beams for the lower bars, whereby the lower bars are fixed to the upper bars and to the supporting beams, with the minimum spacing between two lower bars being greater than the minimum spacing between two upper bars.

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According to an aspect of the invention the apparatus with controlled flow tank comprises a tank for holding a cereal/water suspension and a tube arranged within said tank with a lower end and an upper end being both in communication with the tank, and an injector fluidly connected to the interior of said tube, and cooperating with the lower end of said tube for generating a controlled flow of said cereal/water suspension by injecting a gaseous fluid. According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus with controlled flow tank comprises a single tube and the injector comprises an injecting end portion formed by a dynamic jacket surrounding said tube, and wherein the dynamic jacket sealingly surrounds said tube in the vicinity of said lower end, wherein at least one stabilizer is fixed to a side wall of the tank and to an annular wall of the tube.

According to another aspect of the invention the apparatus with homogeneous sprinkling tank comprises a tank formed by a base of the tank and a side wall, a filling valve for the liquid in the tank, a drain valve for the liquid in the tank and a lower grid at a distance from the base, the lower grid forming the base of a dipping chamber for the grain, and a system of homogenisation for the duration of the wetting of the grain consisting of a detector for a low liquid level in the tank, a detector for a high liquid level in the tank, a pump for removing the liquid below the grid in the tank, a pump control active between the high level and the low level of liquid, and a liquid distributor supplied by the pump and arranged above the dipping chamber for the grain.

Another aspect of the invention is that at least one from each conveyor is supported by a conveyor belt support comprising two pad supports for the belt, each containing a through passage suitable for housing a profile between two rigidly connected frame profiles, each of the pads having an upper face substantially parallel to the direction of the through passage, a lower face parallel to the upper face and opposite to this latter in relation to the through passage, and a belt support

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU member of a first type mounted on the upper face of each of the two pad supports, characterised in that each of the pad supports furthermore has a first lateral face substantially perpendicular to the upper face and the lower face and substantially parallel to the direction of the through passage, and the first lateral face of each of the pad supports comprises means suitable for a frame traverse to be fixed thereto, while the lower face of each of the pad supports comprises means suitable for a belt support member of a second type to be fixed thereto.

According to another aspect of the invention, the installation can comprise a floor, walls and a roof, wherein the roof comprises a number of composite panels and an outer frame having the twofold purpose of supporting said panels and containing the forces applied to the panels in the event that an internal pressure is greater than the atmospheric pressure, the outer frame being anchored in the walls, each panel comprising an inner face in stainless steel sheet, an outer face in galvanised steel sheet and insulation between the two faces, said panels being sealingly joined together.

According to an embodiment, the installation of the invention comprises twenty dipping tools, seven sprouters and two kilns.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below and also from the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a principle scheme that shows the arrangement of the installation of the invention;

- Figure 2 is an overhead view of a scheme for the particular layout of an installation according to the present invention;

- Figure 3 shows a schematic cross section of a dipping tool according to an embodiment of the invention;

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- Figure 4 shows a schematic view of a dipping tool according to another embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 5 shows a schematic view of a sprouter (also called germinator) according to the invention;

- Figure 6 shows a schematic view of a second conveying member (or second transportation member) of an embodiment according to the invention;

- Figure 7 shows a schematic view of a kiln according to the invention;

- Figure 8 shows a schematic view of a kilning device with a bottom grid according to the invention;

- Figure 9 shows a schematic view of the grid bottom according to the invention;

- Figure 10 shows a schematic view of a conveyor device of the invention;

- Figure 11 shows a schematic view of a building part of the installation of the invention; and

- Figure 12 shows a schematic view of a first conveying member (or first transportation member) of an embodiment according to the invention.

The accompanying drawings will not only serve to complete the description of the present invention, but they will also contribute to its definition where applicable.

In the present description, reference is made to the works "Malting and Brewing" and/or "Making Beer", quoted above, for a general understanding of the nature of malting installations. The process of malting is carried out in a specific factory, also called "malt-house" or "malting-house", that requires complex techniques and procedures. Those techniques and procedures evolve in time and are known to a person skilled in

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU the art. Therefore, the present description does not specify in detail every technique and procedure; however, exception is made where it is necessary.

Matter relating to stewardship, such as the storage of barley grains will not be described in detail herein.

On a more general matter, references in the following description are to barley as a cereal.

Generally, a malting process includes at least the following steps:

a) Dipping the grains of barley. This can be carried out in different types of steeping vessels or appropriated tanks, which are generically known as "dipping tools". Dipping provides wet-grain.

b) Germination of the grains of barley. Germination is carried out in so called sprouters. These can be in different styles, depending in particular on their shape. The shape can be circular or in the form of an elongated rectangle. After this step, the barley is regarded as green malt. Germination provides sprouted-grain.

c) Kilning of the grains of barley. Kilning can be carried out in a circular vessel.The barley is dried on a grid through which a flow of hot air passes. Usually, the air begins to flow once the grid is covered with grains. In some installations the barley is turned and leveled by a radial arm until the vessel is filled. After this step, the barley is regarded as malt. Kilning provides so called kiln-dry-grain.

d) Deculming, which consists in removing the rootlets of the barley. Deculming provides deculmed-grain.

Some typical general indications will now be given on different malting steps.

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Initially, the cereal grains (the grain) are cleaned. This is generally done with mechanical selection techniques or methods using water. For instance, the grain can be cleaned with a water overflow technique in order to eliminate floating pollutants. Another technique is using a turning barrel partially filled with water.

Then, the first essential malting step, the dipping, can be carried out. The principal aim of dipping is to increase the water content of the grain to about 50%, typically between 40% and 45%. For this the cereal is flood with water. According to an embodiment, the cereal is aerated during the dipping process. This is usually done because it can be beneficial for the respiration cycle of the grain while it is submerged with water.

The dipping can be carried out continuously or discontinuously. A continuous dipping process comprises steps whereby the cereal is submerged in a water-tank with an artificial supply of air to the tank. A discontinuous dipping process comprises a sequence of successive steps wherein one step consists of flooding the cereal under water, followed by another step that consists of draining the water so that the cereal can breathe under controlled air. In other words, in a discontinuous dipping process the grains are firstly covered by water and then (for a roughly equal amount of time) exposed to the air.

The temperature of the water is typically between 12 and 15°C, or 20°C if cold water is alternatingly used. The maximum is 35°C or otherwise there is a risk of the grains perishing. There are different additives that can be used to prevent fermentation and the development of micro-organisms during the dipping stage.

Depending on the process, when germination (or sprouting) begins or is on the point to begin the dipping process is terminated and germination is started.

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Germination is carried out by placing a bed of dipped grains on

a fine grid, through which a flow of air is passed at controlled

levels of temperature, pressure and humidity. The grains are

stirred by means of a vertical, motor-powered endless screw,

which is lowered into the bed of grains. The unit is typically

mounted on a carriage that crosses the sprouter. For a circular

sprouter, this carriage would be in the form of an arm. For a

rectangular sprouter the carriage would travel the length of the

sprouter. The movement of the endless screw and the speed of

travel of the carriage are controlled.

Turning to kilning, the operation is also carried out on a grid,

onto which the grains are placed. They need to be dried to stop

germination, while retaining the best possible qualities

required for the malt. Generally, kilning is carried out on a

circular platform comprising a grid through which hot air passes

at a controlled temperature, pressure and humidity. A vertically

adjustable levelling arm can be fitted with an endless screw,

which, when immersed in the bed of grains, can homogenize the

grains vertically, or with an horizontal screw for levelling,

loading or discharging the grains, or alternatively with fixed

or adjustable blades. The speed of rotation of the endless screw

or screws and the angular direction and speed of the arm are

also controlled. The dwell time of the grains is also

controlled.

Furthermore, a cleaning mechanism for the ventilation chamber

can be fitted with chutes, which are essentially parallel,

forming the base of the ventilation chamber. The screws are

driven by the conveyor in a direction that channels all the

fallen debris into the chute leading to the conveyor. The

conveyor can be mounted in such a way that it crosses the

ventilation chamber so as to evacuate said debris when the

ventilation chamber is being cleaned. The cleaning comprises the

activation of the screw conveyors by the conveyor in a direction

that channels the fallen debris into a chute leading to the

conveyor. The conveyor can be activated in one direction for

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU cleaning and in another direction for discharging the grain.

This considerably reduces the duration and the awkwardness of

cleaning the ventilation chamber in particular.

The devices to carry out the above steps are usually

independently chosen for each step. On the contrary, the present

invention provides an installation wherein each device is

specifically chosen in order to work in a cooperatively

optimized way with the device with which it interacts (directly

or indirectly).

Indeed, according to the invention and in order to maximize the

production and optimize maintenance, the sequence of the above

described steps are to be carried out with compatible devices to

one-another. According to the invention, the malting process is

set to work at high-performance and high-capacity.

The different devices and instruments of the present invention

will now be described. Interaction between the devices that work

together or after one-another will appear in the description.

Some instruments may also be described in conjunction.

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of the installation 100 of

the invention. The installation comprises at least one dipping

tool 102 (or steeping tool), at least one sprouter (or

germinator) and a kiln with a transport system from one to

another. According to an embodiment, the installation comprises

three elongated sprouters 104, 106, 108 and two kilns 110, 112.

The building comprises a first body 114, which houses the each

dipping tool 102 and each elongated sprouter 104, 106, 108. The

building further comprises a second body 116 adjacent to one of

the elongated sprouters (here sprouter 108).

The transport system comprises a first operating transverse

conveyor 118 in interaction with either the outlet of the

dipping tool 102, or with an discharge conveyor of a sprouter.

Each discharge conveyor 120, 122, 123 is respectively placed

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU under the sprouters 104, 106, 108 along their large size. The first transverse conveyor 118 is followed by an ascending conveyor 124 placed between the first body 114 and the second body 116 of the building. The outlet of the ascending conveyor 124 is switchable for so that goods (i.e. grain) that are placed on that conveyor can be directed either towards a sprouter feed conveyor system 126 for wet-grain obtained from the dipping (or steeping), or towards the kilns 110, 112 via a kiln feed conveyor system 128 for sprouted-grain obtained from at least one sprouter. The ascending conveyor 124 is laid between the sprouters 104, 106, 108 and the kilns 110, 112. The sprouter feed conveyor system 126 and kiln feed conveyor system 128 are aligned opposite to each other. The discharge conveyors 120, 122, 123 of the sprouters 104, 106, 108 comprise an outlet arranged under at least one dipping tool 102.

During the malting process, when the first transverse conveyor 118 is fed with good (wet-grain) coming from the dipping tool 102, said good is directed to the sprouters 104, 106, 108. Hence, the ascending conveyor 124 is switched to be connected to the sprouter feed conveyor system 126 in order to distribute the wet-grain to the sprouters 104, 106, 108.

According to an embodiment, the sprouter feed conveyor system 126 comprises one or more outlets placed near each terminal part of each germinator. Each outlet can switch from an open to a closed position and respectively distribute the wet-grain to sprouter feed conveyors 134, 136, 138. Each sprouter feed conveyors 134, 136, 138 is provided with a discharging body OD capable of distributing grains into the corresponding sprouter. The discharging body OD comprises a carriage arranged for moving along the corresponding sprouter. The discharging body OD is arranged for transporting grain to a belt of a longitudinal conveyor that is linked to an inclined plane for distribution of grains over the width of the corresponding sprouter. The discharging body OD is active in longitudinal positions for distributing grains on the length of the germinator.

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU

During the malting process, when the first transverse conveyor 118 is fed with good (sprouted-grain) coming from the sprouters 104, 106, 108, said good is directed to the kilns 110, 112 located in the second body 116. The kiln feed conveyor system 128 comprises a first kiln feed conveyor 130 followed by a second kiln feed conveyor 132. The system is arranged such that the second kiln conveyor 132 is switchable between a connected and a disconnected position to the first kiln feed conveyor 130. In the disconnected position a first duct (linked to the outlet of the first kiln feed conveyor 130) is directed downwards to the center of a first kiln 110, and in the connected position a second duct (linked to the outlet of the second kiln feed conveyor 132) is directed downwards to the center of a second kiln 112. This way each kiln 110, 112 can be fed alternatively with sprouted-grain. In other embodiments where multiple (more than two as described before) kilns are present, the kiln feed conveyor system 128 comprises multiple kiln conveyors that are arranged in a similar way as described before so as to feed each kiln. Usually there are as much kiln conveyors as there are kilns.

Each kiln 110, 112 comprises a distributor arm to spread the grains in a layer of uniform thickness.

Figure 2 illustrates another embodiment of the installation. The first body (or first part) 114 of the building contains five sprouters 103, 104, 105, 106, 108. The first body 114 further comprises ten dipping tools (or dipping tanks) 1021, 1022, 1023, 1024, 1025, 1026, 1027, 1028, 1029, 1030. Here, the dipping tanks are arranged in pairs at the end of each of the sprouters. This results in a reduction in the covered surface area, the number of buildings and the possibility of using the same conveyor to transfer the grain from a dipping tank to a sprouter and to transfer the sprouted-grain (or green malt) from a sprouter to a kiln at different times.

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The second body (or second part) 116 of the building contains two kilns 110, 112. The air leaving one kiln can be re-used in the neighbouring kiln, giving a reduction in energy consumption for both heating and ventilation. Moreover, at certain times during operation, the air leaving the second kiln has a higher water vapour saturation rate, giving an improved heat capacity and a better energy recovery rate in the heat exchangers.

The first body 114 and the second body 116 are at least partially separated by a zone 115 (cf. figure 1). The zone can be a wall with one or more openings (for the conveyors for instance).

Service zones BCZ1, BCZ2, BCZ3 are arranged in the first body 114 of the installation 100. These service zones BCZ1, BCZ2 and BCZ3 essentially serve to prepare and treat the gaseous fluid used and produced in the germination process. Other service zones BCZ5, BCZ6 are arranged in the second body 116 of the installation 100, which serve essentially to recover and treat the gaseous fluid used and produced in kilning.

In Figure 2, the transverse conveyor 118 is located underneath the dipping tanks 1021-1030. Furthermore the transverse conveyor 118 is accessible by each sprouter feed conveyor 134, 135, 136, 137, 138. The operating transverse conveyor 118 is arranged to cooperate with the lower part of the ascending conveyor (or ascending conveyor) 124 placed between the first body 114 and the second body 116 of the installation. In other words the ascending conveyor 124 is installed between the kilns 110, 112 and the sprouters 103, 104, 105, 106, 108. The ascending conveyor 124 can be inclined to an angle of approximately 10 to 200. At its upper end, the conveyor is in cooperation with said sprouter feed conveyor system 126 or said kiln feed conveyor system 128 as described above with reference to figure 1.

The sprouter feed conveyors 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, are respectively arranged above the sprouters 103, 104, 105, 106,

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108. As can be seen on the figures, each sprouter and each sprouter feed conveyor are arranged parallel one to another. The sprouter feed conveyors are each fitted with a device called discharging body OD for discharging the grain into a corresponding sprouter. Each discharging body OD (cf. figure 1) can comprise a carriage. Each carriage is arranged along the length of the respective sprouter feed conveyor and can be moved continuously or between pre-defined working positions. Each carriage comprises rollers that compensate the potential of the belt of the corresponding sprouter feed conveyor, thus making the grains fall into the corresponding sprouter. In a general manner, a conveyor consists of a conveyor belt made of a synthetic material, mounted on supporting rollers for the outward and the return movements and stretched between two end rollers. It is driven by a motor acting on one of the end rollers. The supporting rollers for the outward movement are arranged in a hollow space with an horizontal central portion and two raised side portions, so that the belt has an upwardly facing concavity for transporting.

Figure 1 (and partially also figure 2) thus shows an installation according to the invention that comprises in sequence at least one dipping tool 102 to provide wet-grain, at least one sprouter 104 to provide sprouted-grain and at least one kiln 110 to provide kiln-dry-grain, having a system of transportation (notably with conveyors and/or distributing tools 118, 124, 126, 134, 136, 138, OD, 128, 130, 132) from one to another in that sequence. The installation further comprises a two-part building, with a first part 114 housing each elongated sprouter 104, at the end of which is mounted one or more dipping tools 102, and a second part 116, adjacent to an elongated sprouter 108, which comprises at least one kiln 110, 112. The system of transportation notably comprises a first transverse conveyor 118 operating either with the outlet of each dipping tool 102 or the outlet of at least one discharge conveyor 120 from each sprouter 104. Each discharge conveyor is situated

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU below the corresponding sprouter 104 along their length. The first transverse conveyor 118 is followed by an ascending conveyor 124 that is located between the first part 114 and the second part 116 of the two-part building. The outlet of the ascending conveyor 124 can be switched so that it may be arranged to lead either to a sprouter feed conveyor system (with notably conveyors and/or discharging tools 126, 134, 136, 138, OD) for feeding the sprouter 104 or the sprouters (104, 106, 108) with the wet-grain leaving a dipping tool 102, or towards a kiln feed conveyor system 128 for feeding the kiln 110 or the kilns 110, 112 with the sprouted-grain leaving each sprouter.

Figure 3 shows a dipping tool according to an embodiment of the invention. This type of dipping tool is advantageous for continuous dipping processes. The dipping tool 102 comprises a tank C1101 for containing a cereal/water suspension, one single tube C1108 laid within the tank with a bottom end and an upper end both contacting the tank. The dipping tool 102 further comprises an injector C1112 connected to the inside of the tube C1108 at the lower end of the tube. The injector C1112 is arranged for carrying out a controlled circulation of the cereal/water suspension by injection of a gaseous fluid.

The injector is arranged in the vicinity of the lower end of the tube C1108 to generate a first controlled circulation according to a direction ranging from the lower end towards the upper end of the tube.

The tube C1108 of the dipping tool 102 is arranged substantially at the center of the tank. In this respect, a retaining cap C1114 forming a deflector is positioned above the upper end of said tube C1108 in order to redirect the circulation towards the tank and thus contributing to the controlled circulation. The retaining cap C1114 can be shaped in the form of an umbrella having a lower concave part and an upper conical part. The lower concave part can comprise a conical element, of which the base is laid at center of the bottom concave part and of which the

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU point is arranged on the center axis of the tube. Said conical part further contributes to the controlled circulation achieved while the dipping tool is in a working condition.

The tank of the dipping tool comprises a sidewall C1102 and a bottom C1104. The bottom C1104 is provided with an angle and is arranged to contribute to the controlled circulation. Indeed the flow is directed according to a predetermined direction towards the sidewall which is thus generating an overall flow according to symmetry of rotation with respect to the central axis of the tube C1108 in the tank.

The injector C1112 comprises a terminal part of injection formed by a dynamic jacket C1200 surrounding the tube. The dynamic jacket C1200 surrounds the tube C1108 tightly near its lower end, and is made in a cylindrical shape of which the base comprises an inclined plane of 450 with respect to a transverse axis of the tube. The dynamic jacket C1200 and the tube C1108 have the same central longitudinal axis. The tube C1108 comprises at least one window C1204 in its annular wall at the tube portion surrounded by the dynamic jacket C1200. Each window C1204 is arranged circumferentially on the annular wall and comprises a grid.

Thus figure 3 shows a dipping tool that is an apparatus with controlled flow tank.

The controlled flow tank of figure 3 comprises a tank C1101 for holding a cereal/water suspension and a tube C1108 arranged within said tank C1101. The lower end and the upper end of the tube C1108 are both in communication with the tank C1101. The controlled flow tank further comprises an injector C1112 that is fluidly connected to the interior of said tube C1108 and that is cooperating with the lower end of the tube C1108 for generating a controlled flow of the cereal/water suspension by injecting a gaseous fluid. One aspect of the invention is that the controlled flow tank comprises a single tube C1108 and that the

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU injector C1112 comprises an injecting end portion formed by a dynamic jacket C1200. The dynamic jacket C1200 is surrounding the tube C1108 in a sealing manner. In other words, the dynamic jacket C1200 sealingly surrounds the tube C1108 in the vicinity of said lower end of the tube C1108. Further, at least one stabilizer C1128 is fixed to a side wall of the tank and to an annular wall of the tube.

The homogeneous sprinkling tank of figure 4 comprises a tank C9102 formed by a base (or bottom) C9104 of the tank and a side wall C9106. The homogeneous sprinkling tank further comprises a filling valve C9108 for filling the tank with water, and a drain valve C9110 for draining the tank of water. Also, the homogeneous sprinkling tank comprises a lower grid C9112 at a distance from the base C9104. The lower grid C9112 forms the base (or bottom) of a dipping chamber C9114 for the grain. The homogeneous sprinkling tank comprises a system of homogenisation for the duration of the wetting of the grain consisting of a detector for a low liquid level in the tank C9118, a detector for a high liquid level in the tank C9120, a pump C9122 for removing the liquid below the grid in the tank, a pump control active between the high level and the low level of liquid, and a liquid distributor C9202 supplied by the pump C9122 and arranged above the dipping chamber C9114 for the grain. An automated computer regulating device C9124 is arranged to manage the homogeneous sprinkling tank.

Figure 4 shows a dipping tool according to another embodiment of the invention. This type of dipping tool is advantageous for discontinuous dipping processes. The dipping tool 102 comprises a tank C9102 with a bottom C9104, a side wall C9106. The dipping tool 102 further comprises a filling valve C9108 to fill the tank C9102 with water, and a drain valve C9110 to drain water from the tank C9102. The dipping tool 102 comprises a lower grid C9112, and a system for homogenizing the grains during humidification. The lower grid C9112 is formed at the bottom of a grain steeping chamber C9114.

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The homogenizing system is equipped with a low level detector C9118, a high level detector C9120, a liquid sampling pump placed under the grid C9112 in the tank, a control pump C9122 activated between the low level of the liquid and the high level of the liquid, and a liquid distributor C9202 disposed above the grain steeping chamber and that is fed via an alimentation pipe C9126.

The liquid distributor C9202 comprises an arm C9200 with a neck peripherally pierced by a longitudinal slit to ensure a constant distribution of liquid per unit area and with openings for spraying liquids, where the openings are evenly distributed on the arm. Furthermore the liquid distributor is arranged on a spin column C9128 mounted on the longitudinal central axis (I) of the tank.

The control pump C9122 has an active state triggered by a predetermined signal received by the low level detector C9118 and an inactive state triggered by a predetermined signal received by the high level detector C9120.

The dipping tool 102 comprises a regulatory tool C9116 that communicates with the low and high level detectors. The regulatory tool C9116 is connected with the low level and high level detectors and the liquid sampling pump. The low level and high level detectors comprise an ultrasonic sensor. The low level detector is disposed in the grid and the high level detector is disposed in the top of the steeping chamber.

Thus figure 4 shows an apparatus having an homogeneous sprinkling tank.

The homogeneous sprinkling tank of figure 4 comprises a tank C9102 formed by a base (or bottom) C9104 of the tank and a side wall C9106. The homogeneous sprinkling tank further comprises a filling valve C9108 for filling the tank with water, and a drain valve C9110 for draining the tank of water. Also, the homogeneous sprinkling tank comprises a lower grid C9112 at a

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU distance from the base C9104. The lower grid C9112 forms the base (or bottom) of a dipping chamber C9114 for the grain. The homogeneous sprinkling tank comprises a system of homogenisation for the duration of the wetting of the grain consisting of a detector for a low liquid level in the tank C9118, a detector for a high liquid level in the tank C9120, a pump C9122 for removing the liquid below the grid in the tank, a pump control active between the high level and the low level of liquid, and a liquid distributor C9202 supplied by the pump C9122 and arranged above the dipping chamber C9114 for the grain. An automated computer regulating device C9124 is arranged to manage the homogeneous sprinkling tank.

Figure 5 shows a germinator or sprouter according to the invention. The sprouter comprises a germination tray C51 with a raised floor C53 and side walls C55, C57 surrounding the raised floor, and a device for discharging grains.

The discharging device comprises a first conveying member having a endless screw for the grains, a second conveying member laid under the controllable switching portion, and a third conveying member arranged under the additional controllable switching portion.

The raised floor C53 has a controllable switching portion C519 partially placed beneath the endless screw of the first conveying member, and an additional controllable switching portion. The additional controllable switching portion is arranged along one of the side walls.

The first conveying member is in variable positioning with respect to the germination tray, and supported with possibility of sliding with respect to the germination tub. The raised floor C53 is rectangular in shape in which the endless screw of the first conveying member is arranged along a transverse direction of the raised floor and one of controllable switching portions is adjacent to a sidewall of the germination tub.

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The raised floor C53 comprises floor elements forming slabs C511, where each controllable switching portion is shaped into a floor slab. Each controllable switching portion is connected to a fixed portion of the raised floor using an operable pivoting unit comprising a controllable operating cylinder, a pivot link between the controllable switching portion and a fixed part of raised floor and a connecting rod mounted between an actuator and the controllable switching portion.

A second conveying member (or transportation member) is integrally accommodated in a case in aerodynamic shape C532. This can be seen on figure 6. The case is profiled against a stream of air to be blown under the raised floor and the length of the raised floor.

The first conveying member comprises a endless screw, which is suspended at a crane by a structure of lockable pantograph. The lockable pantograph structure comprises two articulated arms each fixed with possibility of pivoting at the ends with the crane of a part and with the endless screw of other part. A member is used for turning grain, extends vertically from the floor to a movable suspension structure with respect to the tank. The germination tray has a rectangular shape, in which the grain turning member has endless screws equally spaced on the entire width of the germination tray. The transverse side walls of the germination tray have respective niches arranged to partially accommodate each of the endless screw, in which one of the controllable switching portion is arranged under each niche.

The figures 5, 6 and 12 show that each sprouter 104 comprises a germination tray C51. The germination tray C51 comprises a raised floor C53 rectangular in shape and having longitudinal C57 and transverse C55 side walls. The longitudinal C57 and transverse C55 side walls are surrounding the raised floor C53. The sprouter 104 further has a discharging device C537 of the sprouted-grain comprising at least a first transportation member with an endless screw C539 for the outcropping grain above the

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU raised floor C53. The raised floor C53 has one or more controllable switching portions C519, each connected to at least a fixed portion of the raised floor C53 by operable pivoting means C525, C529. It has to be noted that according to the invention, at least one controllable switching portion C519 is partially disposed under the endless screw C539 of the first transportation member, while the discharging device C537 furthermore comprises at least one second transportation member for the grain, arranged under said controllable switching portion C519, and one or more controllable switching portions are intended along each of the transverse side walls C55 and along at least one of the longitudinal side walls. Figure 6 shows a case C532B having an aerodynamically contoured shape. The case C532B is arranged so as to house the second grain transportation member C532A.

Figure 7 shows a building part C41 for kilning grains in a chamber C43 having controlled atmosphere. The device comprises a kilning tank C45 having a grid C415 bottom for receiving the grain, and a unit for holding kilning tank inside the chamber C43 with controlled atmosphere so that the grid bottom is raised with respect to a floor of the chamber C43.

The floor of the chamber is made in the form of a floor slab C47. The holding unit comprises legs supported on the floor slab C47. The grid C415 bottom of the kilning tank rests on each of the supporting legs C419. The kilning tank has a cylindrical shape and the grid bottom has a circular shape.

The chamber C43 has a cylindrical shape and the floor slab is rectangular or square. The chamber has a sidewall C411 along the floor slab and rises vertically from the floor slab to the top of the kilning tank.

A platform and a unit for holding the platform in the chamber are arranged in the kilning device so that the platform extends transversely from the side wall to the vicinity of the kilning

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU tank. The kilning tank comprises a sidewall along the grid bottom, in which sealing elements are arranged between the sidewall of the kilning tank and a proximal end of the platform.

The grid C415 bottom comprises slab grids C425 each floating with respect to underlying supporting legs. The supporting legs comprise a telescopic body. The chamber further comprises a side wall made in the form of a building wall or a partition, where the side wall has stiffening ribs.

The kiln can be being arranged in a controlled atmosphere enclosure.The kiln can comprise a kilning tray having a grid C415 bottom for receiving the sprouted-grain and means for holding the kilning tray within said enclosure so that the grid C415 bottom is raised in relation to a floor of said enclosure, wherein the floor of this enclosure is constructed as a floor slab C47, said means for holding comprising a plurality of support legs resting on said floor slab, and the grid bottom of the kilning tray resting on each of said plurality of support legs.

Figure 8 shows a kilning device TA2 according to an embodiment of the invention. The kilning device TA2 comprises a tank CV with sprouted grains having a bottom equipped with vents and a discharging opening, a ventilation chamber CA placed in the tank CV, preferably beneath the tank CV. The kilning device TA2 is further equipped with a carrier C80 placed under the ventilation chamber to collect the kilned seeds during discharging of the tank by the orifice OVT, and a cleaning mechanism of the ventilation chamber provided with parallel pipes for forming the bottom of the ventilation chamber.

A carrier is allowed to cross in the ventilation chamber for evacuating the debris during cleaning of the ventilation chamber. The screw is perpendicular to the carrier. The carrier comprises a chain provided with chain links, scrapers, and return chain support rollers, where the chain is engaged with

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU the screw by a rotating wheel. A grid rests on pipes. The channels may have a V-shaped cross-section with a rounded bottom. Pipes are arranged for covering the lower surface of the ventilation chamber. The carrier comprises end bearings laid outside the ventilation chamber. The ventilation chamber is circular, and the carrier is arranged diametrically. An independent claim is included for a process for cleaning a ventilation chamber of a kilning device.

Thus figure 8 makes clear that the grid C415 bottom of the kilning tray is equipped with ventilation openings and a discharge orifice OVT, a ventilation chamber CA arranged beneath the kilning tray, a carrier C80 arranged beneath the ventilation chamber CA to collect the kiln-dry-grain during the discharging of the kilning tray through the discharge orifice OVT, and a mechanism for cleaning the ventilation chamber, provided with substantially parallel channels GL forming the bottom of the ventilation chamber, screw conveyors VT mounted in the channels, the screws being driven by the carrier in a direction that causes debris from the kiln-dry-grain to fall into a channel to be transported towards the carrier, the carrier being mounted across the ventilation chamber CA to evacuate said debris during the cleaning of the ventilation chamber CA.

Figure 9 shows a grid device GR according to an embodiment of the invention that comprises parallel top bars BS. The top bars BS each have an horizontal upper surface SSBS and two symmetric side surfaces SLBS inclined with respect to a longitudinal plane. Furthermore the grid device GR comprises lower bars BI perpendicular to top bars BS and having two side surfaces symmetric and inclined with respect to a vertical plane. The grid device GR also comprises a beam for supporting the lower bars. The side surfaces approach each other against the upper surface. The lower bars are fixed to the top bars to support the beams. Minimum distance between two lower bars is greater than a minimum spacing between two top bars. The top bars have a triangular or trapezoidal cross section. The lower bars have a

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU pentagonal, rhomboidal or triangular cross section. The side surfaces of upper bars and lower bars have an inclination of 100 to 50° and 50 to 450 respectively. The beams may be tubular, rhomboidal, rectangular or have a unique section such as S shaped, V-shaped, star-shaped for extra special resistance. Deflectors are mounted on beams between the lower bars and upper bars. The grid has an opening rate of about 40%. In another embodiment the grid has an opening rate of about 13% or about 53%. The grid device further comprises supporting beams PR for the lower bars. As indicated, the supporting beams PR may be special shaped, such as S-shaped, V-shaped or star-shaped for additional resistance features.

Thus figure 9 makes clear that the grid C415 bottom comprises parallel upper bars BS having at least one upper surface SSBS that is substantially horizontal and two symmetrical side surfaces SLBS that are inclined in respect to a longitudinal plane. Said side surfaces are converging mutually from the upper surface. The grid C415 bottom also comprises lower bars BI that are substantially perpendicular to the upper bars BS, two lateral surfaces that are symmetrical and inclined in respect to the vertical plane, said lateral surfaces converging mutually in the direction of the upper bars BS. Furthermore the grid C415 comprises supporting beams PR for the lower bars BI, the lower bars BI are fixed to the upper bars BS and to the supporting beams PR. There is provided a minimum spacing between two lower bars BI that is greater than the minimum spacing between two upper bars BS.

Figure 10 shows a conveyor device C31 of the invention. The support has pad supports C311 including an upper surface parallel to crossing passage direction, and a lower face opposite to the upper face relative to (a) rigid frame profile(s) C33. A side face is arranged perpendicular to the upper face and the lower face, and is arranged parallel to the direction of the passage. A belt support member C313 is fixed on the upper face of each pad support. The lower face has an

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU attachment unit adapted to a support element C325 (via a fixation bracket). A frame traverse C323 is attached to the pad support C311.

Thus figure 10 shows that at least one from each conveyor is supported by a conveyor belt support comprising two pad supports for the belt, each containing a through passage suitable for housing a profile between two rigidly connected frame profiles C33. Each of the pads has an upper face C335 substantially parallel to the direction of the through passage, a lower face C337 parallel to the upper face C335 and opposite to this latter in relation to the through passage. Furthermore the conveyor of the invention has a belt support member of a first type C313 mounted on the upper face of each of the two pad supports C311. According to the invention, the pad supports furthermore have a first lateral face C339 substantially perpendicular to the upper face C335 and the lower face C337 and substantially parallel to the direction of the through passage, and the first lateral face of each of the pad supports C311 comprises means suitable for a frame traverse C323 to be fixed thereto, while the lower face C337 of each of the pad supports C311 comprises means suitable for a belt support member of a second type C325 to be fixed thereto.

Figure 11 shows a malt floor according to an embodiment of the invention. The device comprises a floor, walls, and roof. The roof comprises tightly-arranged composite panels, and an outer frame to support dual effect of the panels and recovery efforts exerted on the panels in case of an internal pressure greater than an atmospheric pressure, where the outer frame is embedded in the walls.

Each panel comprises an inner face made of a stainless steel sheet, an outer face made of a galvanized steel sheet, and an insulation between the faces. The insulation comprises a rock wool, and/or an expanded foam, the outer frame supports a roof, a conveyer and a steeping tank, and the panels are disposed in

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU the frame. The walls comprise a metallic frame and the panels, and are made of a reinforced concrete.

Thus figure 11 shows that the installation of the invention can comprise a floor, walls and a roof. The roof comprises a number of composite panels PI and an outer frame CSU that has a twofold purpose of supporting said panels and containing the forces applied to the panels in the event that an internal pressure is greater that the atmospheric pressure. The outer frame CSU is anchored in the walls MU. Each panel PI comprises an inner face FI in stainless steel sheet, an outer face FS in galvanised steel sheet. Insulation IS is provided between the two faces (inner face FI and outer face FS). The panels are sealingly joined together.

According to an embodiment the malting installation according to the invention comprises twenty (20) dipping tools, seven (7) sprouters and two (2) kilns.

The malting installation according to the invention shows considerable energetic efficacy. Indeed the malting installation lowers for instance the overall water consumption as well as the electric and heat consumption with regard to the state of the art.

The Agribuisness Handbook: Barley, Malt, Beer; FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), 2009, discloses a water consumption of 7 m 3 /tonne of barley and a fuel energy of 750 kWh (cf. table 6).

The Guidance Note for establishming BAT in the Malting Industry, EUROMALT, 2005, discloses water consumption of 7 m 3 /tonne of material, an energy consumption of 4040 MJ/tone of material (cf. item 3.3.1 and 3.3.2). The same reference also discloses a theoretical minimum energy. The present invention shows energy consumptions falling within the ranges of theoretical minimums.

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Generally, the present invention improves the energetic efficacy of the state of the art of about 25% to about 45% in relation to water consumption; and of about 5% to about 38% in relation to energy consumption.

The present invention is not limited to the typical procedures and installations (or parts of installations) which are described above for the purpose of illustration, but includes all alternatives that a person skilled in the art could envisage within the framework of the following claims. The malting installation according to the invention provides a particularly efficient and compact system of transportation that optimizes the malt production.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

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Claims (8)

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Malting installation of the type comprising in sequence at least one dipping tool to provide wet-grain, at least one sprouter to provide sprouted-grain and at least one kiln to provide kiln-dry-grain, having a system of transportation from one to another in that sequence, and further comprising a two part building, with a first part housing the or each sprouter, at the end of which is mounted one or more dipping tools, and a second part, adjacent to the or each sprouter, which comprises at least one kiln, wherein the system of transportation comprises a first transverse conveyor operating either with the outlet of the or each dipping tool or the outlet of at least one discharge conveyor from the or each sprouter, situated below said sprouter along their length, said first transverse conveyor being followed by an ascending conveyor that is located between the first part and the second part of the two-part building, while the outlet of the ascending conveyor can be switched so that it may be arranged to lead either to a sprouter feed conveyor system for feeding the or each sprouter with the wet grain leaving at least one of the or each dipping tool, or towards a kiln feed conveyor system for feeding the kiln or the kilns with the sprouted-grain leaving at least one of the or each sprouter, wherein the dipping tool is selected from the group consisting of an apparatus with controlled flow tank and an apparatus having a homogeneous sprinkling tank; wherein the or each sprouter comprises a germination tray comprising a raised floor rectangular in shape and having longitudinal and transverse side walls, surrounding the raised floor and a discharging device of the sprouted grain comprising at least a first transportation member with an endless screw for the outcropping grain above the raised floor, wherein this raised floor has one or more controllable switching portions, each connected to at least a fixed portion of the raised floor by operable pivoting means, at least one controllable switching

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU portion being partially disposed under the endless screw of the first transportation member, while the discharging device furthermore comprises at least one second transportation member for the grain, arranged under said controllable switching portion, and one or more controllable switching portions are intended along each of the transverse side walls and along at least one of the longitudinal side walls and a case having an aerodynamically contoured shape, said case being arranged so as to house the second grain transportation member; and the kiln being arranged in a controlled atmosphere enclosure, and comprising a kilning tray having a grid bottom for receiving the sprouted grain and means for holding the kilning tray within said enclosure so that the grid bottom is raised in relation to a floor of said enclosure, wherein the floor of this enclosure is constructed as a floor slab, said means for holding comprising a plurality of support legs resting on said floor slab, and the grid bottom of the kilning tray resting on each of said plurality of support legs; wherein the grid bottom of the kilning tray is equipped with ventilation openings and a discharge orifice, a ventilation chamber arranged beneath the kilning tray, a carrier arranged beneath the ventilation chamber to collect the kiln-dry grain during the discharging of the kilning tray through the discharge orifice, and a mechanism for cleaning the ventilation chamber, provided with substantially parallel channels forming the bottom of the ventilation chamber, screw conveyors mounted in the channels, the screws being driven by the carrier in a direction that causes debris from the kiln dry-grain to fall into a channel to be transported towards the carrier, the carrier being mounted across the ventilation chamber to evacuate said debris during the cleaning of the ventilation chamber; wherein the grid bottom comprises parallel upper bars having at least one upper surface that is substantially horizontal and two symmetrical side surfaces that are inclined in respect to a longitudinal plane, said side surfaces converging mutually from the upper surface, lower bars that are substantially perpendicular to the upper bars, two

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU lateral surfaces that are symmetrical and inclined in respect to the vertical plane, said lateral surfaces converging mutually in the direction of the upper bars, and supporting beams for the lower bars, whereby the lower bars are fixed to the upper bars and to the supporting beams, with the minimum spacing between two lower bars being greater than the minimum spacing between two upper bars.

2. Installation according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus with controlled flow tank comprises a tank for holding a cereal/water suspension and a tube arranged within said tank with a lower end and an upper end being both in communication with the tank, and an injector fluidly connected to the interior of said tube, and cooperating with the lower end of said tube for generating a controlled flow of said cereal/water suspension by injecting a gaseous fluid.

3. Installation according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus with controlled flow tank comprises a single tube and the injector comprises an injecting end portion formed by a dynamic jacket surrounding said tube, and wherein the dynamic jacket sealingly surrounds said tube in the vicinity of said lower end, wherein at least one stabilizer is fixed to a side wall of the tank and to an annular wall of the tube.

4. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the dipping tool comprises the apparatus having a homogeneous sprinkling tank and wherein the apparatus with homogeneous sprinkling tank comprises a tank formed by a base of the tank and a side wall, a filling valve for the liquid in the tank, a drain valve for the liquid in the tank and a lower grid at a distance from the base, the lower grid forming the base of a dipping chamber for the grain, and a system of homogenisation for the duration of the wetting of the grain consisting of a detector for a low liquid level in the tank, a detector for a high liquid level in the tank, a pump for removing the liquid below the grid in the tank, a pump control active between the

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU high level and the low level of liquid, and a liquid distributor supplied by the pump and arranged above the dipping chamber for the grain.

5. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one from each conveyor is supported by a conveyor belt support comprising two pad supports for the belt, each containing a through passage suitable for housing a profile between two rigidly connected frame profiles, each of the pads having an upper face substantially parallel to the direction of the through passage, a lower face parallel to the upper face and opposite to this latter in relation to the through passage, and a belt support member of a first type mounted on the upper face of each of the two pad supports, wherein each of the pad supports furthermore has a first lateral face substantially perpendicular to the upper face and the lower face and substantially parallel to the direction of the through passage, and the first lateral face of each of the pad supports comprises means suitable for a frame traverse to be fixed thereto, while the lower face of each of the pad supports comprises means suitable for a belt support member of a second type to be fixed thereto.

6. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a floor, walls and a roof, wherein the roof comprises a number of composite panels and an outer frame having the twofold purpose of supporting said panels and containing the forces applied to the panels in the event that an internal pressure is greater that the atmospheric pressure, the outer frame being anchored in the walls, each panel comprising an inner face in stainless steel sheet, an outer face in galvanized steel sheet and insulation between the two faces, said panels being sealingly joined together.

7. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a controller station arranged to synchronize

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU and desynchronize chosen instruments of the installation, such as conveyors.

8. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising twenty dipping tools, seven sprouters and two kilns.

16898720_1 (GHMatters) P99555.AU