GB1345793A - Apparatus by which soluble substances contained in vegetable materials are extracted by diffusion - Google Patents

Abstract

1345793 Sugar extraction apparatus FIVESLILLE-CALL 19 April 19 [27 March 1970] 25265/71 Headings B1D and B1Q [Also in Divisions C6 and C7] Individual cells 14 are successively filled with crushed sugar cane at a loading station and moved intermittently through a series of extraction stations wherein wash liquid flows downwards therethrough, the cane being confined in the cells under grid-like covers 74 inserted after filling. Fig. 3 shows how wash liquid is recycled through successive cells in countercurrent to the direction of movement of the cells, pure water being fed at 62 to the cell adjacent the discharge station and concentrated liquor being discharged at 58. The pump discharging to conduit 58 may have a lower speed than the others to ensure additional recycling. The cells as described form sectors of a rotating annular tank (Fig. 1, not shown) the, floors of the cells being defined by a fixed grid 46 below which are fixed troughs collecting the wash liquid. Grid 46 is discontinued at the discharge station to allow the cane to drop into discharge trough 40. The tank is rotated by arrays of rams (24, 28) engaging pins (26) on the tank periphery. Each cell has four inwardly spring-biassed lugs 76 which are urged outwards by rams 82 (Fig. 2) at the loading station to release securing members 78 on the corners of cover 74. Electromagnetic plate 72 is then lowered to pick up the cover, after which conveyor 84, delivering the cane, is advanced and moved sideways, then withdrawn (Fig. 8, not shown) to distribute cane over the whole cross-section of the cell. Ram 68 then lowers the cover 74 to compress the cane in the cell, extensions (124) of members 78 sliding between guides (126) on the cell walls (Fig. 9, not shown), and lugs 76 engage members 78 to lock the cover in place. Members 78 are to some extent pivotable (Figs. 9, 13, not shown), and covers 74 comprise T-section bars held together by rods with spacing tubes and are to some extent deformable to accommodate to the cane in the cell. The plate 72 is withdrawn and the filled cell begins its movement through the extraction station. Above each station is a curved grid 132 through which liquid from the trough 44 downstream is fed by pump 54, the grid 132 diverting solid particles so that they do not reach the next cell. Instead of rotating, cells could move in a closed path along two parallel lines. Instead of fixed grid 46, each cell could have an individual floor moving therewith and pivotable to discharge spent cane.