GB191116206A - Process and Apparatus for the Desiccation in Vacuum of Meats and Substances containing Water or other Absorbable or Condensable Liquids. - Google Patents

Abstract

16,206. Tellier, C. July 15, 1910, [Convention date]. Chambers; air, exhausting. - In vacuum apparatus for drying fresh meat, vegetables, &c., the vacuum is created in two stages, in the first of which a residual atmosphere containing a large proportion of carbon dioxide and a small proportion of air is left, while in the second, the carbon dioxide is absorbed by potash. In the apparatus shown, a receptacle 1 containing the material to be treated is connected by a valved tube 2 with a vessel 4, containing pumice-stone or other absorbent; the vessels are surrounded by communicating casings 5, 6. Potash contained in one of two reservoirs 8, 9 is led through a valved pipe 11 to the vessel 4 and is distributed by a spiral distributor 12 surrounding the valve 3, which closes communication with the drying-vessel. The stem of this valve is formed with a duct through which air escapes, a funnel 14 ensuring the complete filling of the receptacle with potash. The funnel may be replaced by a caoutchouc tube connected with one of the reservoirs. The receptacle 1 is surmounted by a tubulure 16 within which is pivoted a three-armed lever, two arms of which carry respectively a weight and an equivalent of the raw material, while the third carries a counterweight corresponding to the weight of water to be removed. An indicator actuated by a rack and pinion shows the loss in weight at any time. The material being placed on shelves 22 in the vessel 1, a cover carrying the tubulure 16 is secured in an air-tight manner on it, and it is exhausted through a tubulure 24, the valve 3 being closed and the vessel 4 filled with potash. The casings 5, 6 are then filled with water. The vessel 1 is placed in communication with a reservoir of carbon dioxide until the gas in the vessel is at ordinary pressure. The gas is then exhausted and stored. The exhaustion is stopped and the valve 3 opened, the solution of potash being at the same time pumped back into one of the reservoirs 8, 9; the operation is repeated if necessary, and may take place continuously. The potash is cooled by pipes 32 in the reservoirs. The casing 5 may be heated by injection of steam or by a heating-coil. A travelling pulley-block 38 facilitates manipulation. Several apparatus may be arranged side by side or otherwise. The Specification as open to inspection under Section 91 (3) (a) states also that the vacuum may be effected by the use of calcium chloride, or condensation may be caused by the use of cold water or artificial cooling, a heat-exchanger being used; this subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.