GB525547A - Method and apparatus for evaporation and heat treatment of liquids and sludgy materials - Google Patents

Abstract

525,547. Evaporating liquids such as syrup. CLEVELAND, F. J. (Charms Co.). Nov. 24, 1938,No. 34267. [Class 32] A method of evaporation and heat treatment of liquids, such as syrup, consists in establishing, in an evaporator chamber, a mass of syrup having small depth and extended surface, raising the temperature of the mass, and then reducing the pressure above the mass to remove vaporized moisture therefrom, so as to cool the mass, through an outlet which extends to a considerable height above the vessel so as to prevent loss of material through the outlet. The apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 6, for carrying out the method of the invention, comprises an elongated horizontal casing 1, provided with swinging gates 6 at the ends. A steam jacket 5 surrounds the lower part only of the casing 1. Syrup is supplied through the line 9, and water may be supplied through the line 10 for washing out the casing when the apparatus is not in operation. Steam, supplied by the line 12, enters each end of the jacket 5, through the valve 13, and also passes to a steam ejector 15, discharging through an exhaust pipe 16. A vertical stack or flue 4, of considerable length, is connected with a condenser 18 through the conduit 17 provided with a valve 19, and pressure within the condenser 18 and casing 1 can be reduced by the ejector 15, when operated through the valve 13<SP>1</SP>. 24 and 33 are pressure guages. The stack 4 can be opened to atmosphere through the pipe 25, by operating the valve 26. The cross section of the casing 1 is dome-shaped, the bottom being flat or of great radius, so that the syrup under treatment has small depth but extended surface. The gates 6 are held tightly against gate rings 37 by hooks 48 during treatment of the syrup, and the charge, after treatment, is run out on to cooling tables 52. Samples may be withdrawn from the batch during treatment by means of a pipe 87 provided with two valves 88, 89. Slidable pans 67 are pulled outwards, to catch wash-water, when the casing is being washed out. In the modified form shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, the casing 1 is circular in cross section, two semicylindrical steam jackets 5a, 5b are provided, and the syrup is spread, as a film, around the interior of the casing by a longitudinally extending rotatable agitator comprising members 96 and scrapers 105, connected to cross-arms 92, and so shaped as to cause a gradual flow of syrup longitudinally of the casing. When the end gates are to be opened, the driving-gear-carrying arms 127 are swung upwards, about the power shaft 129, to clear the agitator shafts 94.