DE1810032A1 - Process and device for hydrolysis - Google Patents

Description

Chemetron Corporation, 84Ο Forth Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois

"*" ^ TV.St.A.)

"Process and device for hydrolysis

The invention relates to a method and a device for hydrolysis or pressure treatment of fibrous steffen, especially slaughterhouse by-products such as feathers, blood and meat waste (offal) of poultry.

In order to exploit all economic possibilities, it is necessary for slaughterhouses to utilize the by-products of the slaughterhouses to the greatest possible extent. In the past, for example, commercial practice in the slaughter of poultry has varied considerably with regard to the degree of utilization of the by-products obtained in the processing of poultry. These poultry by-products and waste are generated in every slaughterhouse and usually need to be disposed of on a daily basis. The recoverable, inedible by-products such as blood, feathers and offal make up up to 30 % of the live weight of the poultry. For this reason, technical processes are already known to collect these inedible by-products and to convert them into digestible feed meals for poultry and other animals by hydrolysis, ie by digesting the protein content expensive and the yield was not yet optimal, therefore the by-products of poultry have been disposed of or given away from many slaughterhouses instead of theirs.

Processing an additional profit was drawn »

"Previous processes for converting the inedible parts of poultry, such as feathers, into an edible or otherwise useful substance high in protein and carbohydrate and low in fiber and cellulose have generally been carried out on a batch basis, with the by-products in one Temperature of about 120 ⁰ O (250 ⁰ F) and at a water vapor pressure of about 2 atmospheres (30 psig) for a period of 1 1/2 hours or more to digest the edible organics contained therein Intermittent operation was slow, time consuming and expensive, so the conversion of these inedible products into animal feed was only carried out in larger slaughterhouses in areas with commercial poultry farming, and it is necessary to exclude air from the hydrolysis chamber because of the high temperatures and printing an oxidation of the material easily takes place, whereby the Quality of the feed received is impaired. It is also necessary that the finished product has a uniform quality.

Thus, the invention aims primarily to create a ' new and improved apparatus for treating fibrous material.

Another purpose of the invention is to create a new and improved method of treating fibrous material.

Another purpose of the invention is to create a new and improved apparatus for the hydrolysis of fibrous waste material.

Another more specific purpose of the invention is to provide a new and improved feeder for hydrolyzing poultry feathers and other wastes for continuous operation.

Another purpose of the invention is to create a new and improved feed device for converting fibrous -

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Material, with the help of which the disadvantages indicated above. .be removed.

Another purpose is to provide an improved process for adding fibrous material to a pressurized hydrolysis vessel.

Further purposes and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following Description; the new features which characterize the invention are specified in detail in the claims, one Form part of the description.

The invention relates to an improved device for implementation a continuous pressure process for the hydrolysis of fibrous material, e.g. material from poultry waste of slaughterhouses. The hydrolysis takes place in a pressure vessel which contains a hydrolysis chamber. They are entry lines into the Vessel for the continuous supply of untreated fibrous material into the vessel and drains are provided for the continuous removal of the treated material from the vessel. Furthermore are suitable facilities for continuous meeting of the Untreated material is provided to a practically pressure-impermeable plug in the supply line in order to provide a pressure seal create; pressure relief devices are also provided to continuously remove the treated material from the discharge line. In order for the hydrolysis in the hydrolysis chamber to take place quickly, the stopper is broken open and loosened or torn when it gets into the hydrolysis chamber. In this way it is possible to continuously feed the material to be treated into the hydrolysis chamber initiate while this is kept under pressure.

The invention further relates to an improved method for continuous Hydrolysis of a fibrous material under pressure, which is characterized in that the fibrous material into one pressure-impermeable stopper in the supply line to the hydrolysis chamber is compressed and the material breaks up and shreds to bring it into the To conduct hydrolysis chamber.

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^v The compacting of the material according to the invention has the advantage that an air-free plug is formed, whereby air from the hybrid is drolysekammer excluded. Furthermore, by compressing or compressing the untreated voluminous material to form a practically pressure-impermeable stopper, a certain amount of liquid is removed from the material, as a result of which the raw, fibrous material contains a certain amount of liquid. A certain amount of this liquid, which can partly consist of water, blood or other substances, can be reintroduced into the pressure system with the combined loosening and mixing device or at any other desired point. According to the invention, the method may atmospheres in a pressure range of about 5 and about unäJ.in a temperature range of about 150 ⁰ C and (300 ⁰ F and above) are carried out (70 psig or greater) across. It has been found that at a pressure of about 5 atmospheres (70 psig) and at the appropriate saturation temperature and above, the quality of the protein obtained by the hydrolysis process is greatly improved. With the aid of the method and the device according to the invention, an end product is obtained which contains a larger amount of higher quality protein and other nutrients and whose moisture content is more precisely regulated than was previously possible on an industrial scale.

To explain the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings Referenced. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a hydrolysis device according to the invention »

FIG. 2 shows a plan view (partially in section) of the new hydrolysis device;

FIG. 3 shows a view of the agitator in the hydrolysis chamber, according to the line 3-3 of Fig. 2>

FIG. 4 shows a section through the feed device of the hydrolysis device, according to the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 »

FIG. 5 shows a section through the loosening or chopping device in the feed section of the hydrolysis device, •. after the line 5-5 of Figure 4 »

Figure 6 shows a section through the pressure vessel along the longitudinal axis

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FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are sections through the pressure vessel of FIG. 6, along lines 7-7, 8-8 and 9-9 of FIG. 6, respectively.

In the drawings, the hydrolysis device is for pressure treatment or pressure hydrolysis of fibrous material such as poultry waste in the form of feathers, blood, offal and the like the ■ reference number 10 denotes. The hydrolysis device 10 contains a feed section 12 (Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5) and a discharge section 14, with a pressure vessel containing a hydrolysis chamber 16 forms, are connected. The fibrous material to be treated is transported in any way, e.g. with the help of a conveyor belt 19, passed into a hopper 18. The fibrous material can be the bulky waste of a slaughterhouse, e.g. feathers and Poultry offal. Of course, fibrous materials other than poultry waste can also be used with the aid of the device according to FIG of the invention are processed. These solid substances contain a larger amount of liquid when they are introduced into the filling funnel 18, especially water and blood; furthermore, larger amounts of air are trapped. To the amount of fluid and air in the fibrous To reduce material, this is done in any way, for example with the aid of a screw conveyor 20, which is via a suitable Belt drive 22 is driven by an addition motor 21, pressed together. In the embodiment shown, the screw conveyor preferably a variable passage, i.e. the passage narrows towards the exit end, thereby removing the fibrous material is better compressed. The compressed material arrives from the screw conveyor 20 in a feed line 23, which is preferably expanded, and from there into the feed section 12 of the 'hydrolysis device. At this point the fibrous material lies in the form of a pressure-impermeable plug 24 which practically no longer contains any air, with a large part of the liquid squeezed out ". and at the bottom of the filling funnel through a liquid drain 25 is collected.

Because the hydrolysis of small particles is faster than that of large particles is a loosening and mixing or tearing device 28 is provided, with the help of which the plug 24 is broken into small particles. For this purpose, the loosening

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approximately and mixing device 28 several rotatable wings or blades 29, which with the help of a suitable drive motor 30 and a Belt drive 3I close to the inner wall of the housing of the loosening device ". Since the plug 24 forms a pressure-tight seal in the supply line section 12, the loosening ™ and mixing device at the beginning of the hydrolysis process a suitable pressure and temperature. For this purpose, a measured amount of reaction material, such as water vapor, can be passed through a suitable steam supply line 32 be passed into the interior of the loosening and mixing device. Furthermore, any liquids that are involved in the hydrolysis process are to be subjected, e.g. the liquids from the discharge line 25 at the bottom of the filling funnel 18 through a liquid feed line 34 in the loosening device in suitable proportions be measured into the pressurized loosening chamber in order to achieve the desired and controllable moisture content.

The wings or blades 29 of the loosening and mixing device 28 may have eccentric parts that are angularly and axially offset from one another and their curved outer surface 29a moves a small distance from the inner surface of the housing of the loosening device. Each blade 29 still has concave side walls 29b, whereby the cutting edges 29c are generated. Two diaphragms 29d (FIG. 5) which are attached to the outside of the blades 29 are arranged, prevent solid particles of the fibrous material in the bearing part 37 of the loosening and mixing device management can get.

The loosened or torn material falls through an outlet opening 38 (Figure 4) in the bottom part of the loosening and mixing device 28 and through a material feed line 46 into the Inlet end of the hydrolysis chamber 16. The hydrolysis chamber 16 is of course a pressure device in which the liquid and fibrous Material is exposed to the hydrolyzing action of heat and steam. It has been found that a wet steam with a pressure of about .7 atü (100 p.s.i.g.) in the loosening and mixing device "

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device or, if desired, through suitable steam supply lines 47 ■ is introduced into the hydrolysis chamber 16, for the treatment of poultry material in about 6 minutes is sufficient. The hydrolysis chamber 16 can be mixed with suitable blades or agitators 49 of the material, whereby a very rapid hydrolysis is achieved; the blades 49 are also inclined, whereby a Feed is achieved, which drives the substances through the tube of the chamber. The blades 49 are mounted on a rotating shaft 50 which via a belt drive 52 by a motor 51 with variable Speed is driven. The dwell time can therefore be easily adjusted by a combined operation of the removal devices and adjusted by changing the speed of rotation of the blades 49. If desired, the chamber 16 can be provided with a Steam jacket 48 are surrounded in order to avoid heat loss or to add heat as required.

After the hydrolysis has ended, the treated material becomes with a controlled rate is removed from the hydrolysis chamber, thereby increasing the rate of flow of the material through the hydrolysis chamber can be regulated even further. Furthermore, the pressure of the material must be reduced to atmospheric pressure, the Steam must be removed and the material dried in order for it to be ready for use. For this purpose a derivation leads 62 pressurized into the feed line of a drain pump 65 driven by a variable speed motor 66 will. The pump 65 serves as a control device for adjusting the flow of material emerging from the hydrolysis chamber 16. The pump can be adjusted so that it conveys the material at the desired pressure, which is lower than the pressure at its, the Hydrolysis chamber facing inlet end. The pump 65 conveys the material through a suitable line 67. Since the critical The temperature of the material is greatly reduced as a result of the decrease in pressure, some of the water or all of the water evaporates, that is added to the product. The material can then, false desired, are passed through a vapor separator 68, which is based on the centrifuge principle. The steam is released through a steam outlet 70 removed and can be passed into a suitable cooler 71 ^ will. A sufficient vacuum can of course be created in the cooler 71

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^{v be} generated so that the outlet of the steam separator 68 is below atmospheric pressure, whereby a larger amount of wet steam or water is converted into steam. The cooler 71 of FIG. 1 is of the barometric cooler type, with water being supplied through a water supply line 72 and the condensed steam being discharged together with water through a condensate pipe 73. The liquid material or the solid substances suspended in the liquid pass from the vapor separator 68 through a discharge line 74 into a dryer 75 * in which further moisture can be removed from the treated material, so that the desired moisture content is achieved.

If desired, the material exiting dryer 75 can be used Pass through a sieve 80 to separate the fine particles that fall into a container 81. The material that is not supported by the Sieve 80 passing therethrough may be passed through a mill 82.

From the detailed description of the hydrolysis device The mode of operation of the process, however, should be repeated briefly that the process involves continuous pressure hydrolysis a fibrous material in a pressure vessel containing a hydrolysis chamber represents concerns. According to the invention, the fibrous material is first compressed or compressed in the supply line, whereby a pressure-impermeable seal is created, which is advantageous in the form of a plug. »The air can do both Formation of the pressure seal removed from the fibrous material liquid can also be removed from the material will. If desired, the liquid can be reintroduced into the pressure system downstream of the seal. After the seal is formed, the plug is moved downstream, continuously breaking and tearing it so that finely divided material enters the hydrolysis chamber. After the hydrolysis with the addition of water or another catalyst finished under high pressure and under high temperature, the treated material is characterized by a pressure-impermeable seal removed from the hydrolysis chamber.

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With the aid of the method and the device according to the invention, an improved hydrolysis of fibrous material, 2.B. of slaughterhouse waste or by-products can be achieved in a continuous: ^ pressure process with an extremely low pressure loss in the pressurized hydrolysis chamber. The hydrolysis can be carried out at elevated temperatures and pressures greater than-about 5 atmospheres (70 psig). After it was found that the hydrolysis of fibrous products leads to the production of a feed meal, digestible proteins and other nutrients of improved quality and in greater quantities with wet steam pressures of more than about 5 atmospheres! ^t:. i supplies increased temperatures, the use of a device according to the invention leads to a better commercial product than before. The low cost and the ability to process the material quickly make it possible to operate the hydrolysis device economically so that the by-products of slaughterhouses can be disposed of in an extremely advantageous and economical manner.

Claims -

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Claims (18)

Godfather not claims 1. Device for continuous pressure hydrolysis of fibrous Material characterized by a pressure vessel containing a hydrolysis chamber represents; a feed line sum continuously introducing unbe halide It em fibrous material into the vessel; one Discharge for the continuous removal of the "treated material" from the vessel; A sealing devices for continuous Compression of the untreated material to form a practically pressure-impermeable plug in the supply line, -the one Forms pressure seal; and pressure reducing devices which continuously discharge the treated material from the drain remove. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that in the supply line is provided with facilities for continuously breaking open the stopper when it is in the vessel " emotional. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the Pressure vessel represents an elongated retention tube " through which the material to be treated passes with a certain dwell time. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 , characterized in that the retention tube contains means for mixing and conveying dea materials. 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 “characterized by facilities for introducing reactants into the vessel, which mix with the material flowing through. 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the Abdichteinriehtung contains a screw conveyor with which Help compress the material and separate some of the fluids from the material. 909825/1349 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by devices for reintroducing the fluids into the pressure system downstream of the stopper. 8. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the screw conveyor has a narrowing passage. 9. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the screw conveyor divides the plug into a widening part the supply line promotes. 10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for reducing the pressure expansion means included in the derivation. 11. The device according to claim ¹ , characterized by a vapor separator which is connected to the discharge line. 12. The device according to claim 11, characterized by a cooler, which is connected to the steam separator. 13. The device according to claim 1, characterized by devices to remove air from the untreated fibrous' Material before it forms a pressure-tight seal. 14. The device according to claim 1, characterized by devices for removing liquids from the untreated fibrous material before it forms a pressure-impermeable seal forms. 15 · Process for the continuous pressure hydrolysis of a fibrous material in a pressure vessel with a hydrolysis chamber, a Feed line and a discharge line, characterized in that the fibrous material is used to form a pressure-impermeable seal compresses in the supply line, the seal continuously breaks and the material tears while the material is being removed 909825/1349 T81Ö032 - 12 - ■ '■ · ■ " " - ■■' - '■■ · ". • passes into the hydrolysis chamber, taking place simultaneously and continuously a further seal of further fibrous material "forms. 16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the Sealing is in the form of a plug or stopper. 17. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the air from the fibrous material forming the seal removed before a pressure-tight seal has formed. 18. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that one removes liquids from the material before a pressure-impermeable seal has formed from it. 19 · The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the liquid is removed from the material during formation of the seal and reintroduced downstream of the seal introduces the printing system. 909826/1349 Blank page