GB601162A - Improvements in vacuum drying cylinders particularly for grain - Google Patents

Abstract

601,162. Drying -apparatus. ROGERS, F. H., and HUZENLAUB, E. G. April 25, 1945, No. 10403. [Class 34(ii)] Vacuum drying-apparatus for cereals, &c., comprises a rotatable steam-jacketted vessel which is in the form of concentric cylindrical shells 1, 2, with filling and emptying hatches 21 and end covers 4, 6, and is fitted with hollow trunnions 5, 7 which are supported in journals 10. Heating steam is supplied to sand jacket and to axial tubes 24 disposed between plates 9, 25 through the trunnions 5, this trunnion also locating a tube 42 for the removal of condensate, and evacuation of vapour from the cereals being dried is effected through the trunnion 7. As shown, the trunnion 7 has an inward extension 8 which is bolted to the tube-plate 9 to mate with a vapour header 28 on the inner side of said plate 9, the header 28 being connected by radial tubes 30 to vapour extraction pipes 31 extending axially within and spaced from the inner shell 2. The pipes 31 are of perforated sheet metal covered with wire gauze of larger diameter and of appropriate mesh to prevent passage of grain, the gauze covering being made in a continuous length or, preferably, in short telescopic lengths 34a, 34b, Fig. 3, with each length 34b provided with a handle 36 so that it can be traversed upon adjoining lengths 34a to loosen and detach adherent grains. The radial tubes 30 are also perforated and gauze-covered. The condensate pipe 42 is stationary within the trunnion, being mounted in a pedestal 41 on the tubeplate 25 and having a depending leg 40 up which the condensate is forced by the steam pressure existing within the drying vessel. Helical vanes 38 may be fitted on the inner surface of the shell 2.