GB1243463A - Dry cane cleaning and spreading - Google Patents

Abstract

1,243,463. Cleaning sugar cane. COLONIAL SUGAR REFINING CO. Ltd. 15 Jan., 1969 [16 Jan., 1968], No. 2284/69. Heading B2H. An apparatus for spreading harvested sugar cane pieces and for dry separating associated extraneous matter from the cane comprises means spreading the cane and thereby effecting frictionally a preliminary slight separation of the extraneous matter from the cane; means for forming the cane into a first falling curtain; means for directing a relatively low velocity air jet at right angles to the falling curtain to separate therefrom a first low density fraction of extraneous matter and to impart to that fraction a horizontal component of velocity; means for forming the cane into a second falling curtain having a horizontal component of velocity in a given direction; means for directing a relatively high velocity air jet at right angles to second falling curtain to separate therefrom a second higher density fraction of extraneous matter and to impart thereto an additional horizontal component of velocity in said given direction; and means for removing the separated first and second fractions of extraneous matter to prevent the re-association thereof with the cane; the arrangement being such that, in operation, the cane is submitted to the spreading means before being intercepted at least by the high velocity air jet. In the apparatus of Fig. 2, which is supported on a frame I which in use is mounted above the collecting bin of a buggy, the cane falls as a curtain from a chute 2 and is intercepted by an air jet discharged from a duct 7. The light fraction of extraneous matter, e.g. loose trash, is removed by the air jet over a cowl 8 which prevents it from falling into the collecting bin. The falling curtain of cane passes between spreading rollers 3, 4 which rotate in the same direction, and of which at least the lower roller 4, is provided along the two halves of its length, from the middle, with flangelike two halves of its length, from the middle, like oppositely oriented helices which, by their frictional action on the canefi distribute the latter towards both ends of the roller. The cane then falls in a second curtain via a deflector 9 onto a vaned roller 10 which throws the cane with a horizontal velocity component across the frame so that it is intercepted by an air jet discharged from a duct 12. This air jet carries any residual light fraction of extraneous matter out of the frame and conveys the heavier fraction, e.g. the cane tops, towards the side 13 of the frame where a spiked rotating roller 14 assists in their removal. The heavy cleaned pieces of cane fall in paths 15 towards the collecting bin below. In Fig. 3, the cane is transported by means of the conveyor 21 of a transloader 20 to a rotating tined levelling device 22 which spreads the cane so that it is discharged at 23 as a first falling curtain to be intercepted by an air jet discharged from a duct 24. The cane is then formed by deflectors 26, 27 into a second falling curtain which is intercepted by an air jet discharged from a duct 25. The two fractions of extraneous matter are removed in the directions of arrows 30, 31 by means of rotating coarse wire mesh drums 28, 29 whilst the cleaned cane falls in the direction of arrow 34 to be collected in a truck underneath. The relative disposition of the air ducts 24, 25, the deflector 27 and the drums 28, 29 are adjustable as indicated by the double-ended arrows 35.