GB739602A - Apparatus for extracting oils and soluble materials from solids by the use of liquid solvents - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0739602/III/1> <PICT:0739602/III/2> <PICT:0739602/III/3> In apparatus for extracting oils from solids by means of solvents \yC of the kind having a number of cells 37 disposed angularly around an upright axis about which they are advanced in a closed horizontal path, the cells each having a solids-retaining closure 48 and successively receiving at one point in the path solids fed thereto and discharging at another point in the path and passing beneath sprayers 97, 87 . . . 90, and 94, the solution draining from the cells into collectors 73 . . . 79 therebeneath, some of the sprayers are of elongated form transversely to the path so as to discharge the solvent in the form of a sheet and are adjustable so that the place at which each sheet enters a cell can be varied along the path. In one form of sprayer, a tube closed at its inner end is provided with a row of holes or a slot with a spout 103 fitting thereover. The tubular portion is rotatably positioned in a bushing 99 mounted in the side of a cover-plate 12. In a modified sprayer the perforated tube 98a, Fig. 9A, is provided with a hinged plate 103a, the solvent solution pouring over the edge 104a in sheeted form. In the form of apparatus shown, the cells 37 are carried on a cage-like rotatable inner member 28 to which they are bolted by plates registering with ring plates 34 which connect spaced arms 31 having vertical struts 33 therebetween of the cage rotor 28. The cage is driven by a motor 15. The whole is mounted in a casing 11 with a cover-plate 12 and a bottom 13. The sides of the sector-shaped cells 37 incline inwardly. Each cell is provided with a trapezoidal, perforated closure 48 hinged to the leading lower edge of the cell and also having an imperforated plate 43 spaced at the opposite side to provide a slot discharge for the draining solution. The frame of the closure carries rollers 54 engaged by tracks 55, supported by the casing 11 and bottom 13, for that portion of the path of rotation during which the closures are kept closed. At the discharge point the tracks are terminated at 58 to allow the = closure to open by gravity and discharge its contents into a shoot 59. The rollers then engage inclined portions of the tracks to bring the closures into the closed position. The material to be extracted, such as soyabean flakes or cottonseed, is continuously fed to the cells from a feed pipe 67 extending into the extractor, the material being preferably fed as a slurry with solution obtained in the extraction. A distributing wedge 105 may be provided. The solution collecting compartments 73 . . . 79 arranged in the bottom of the extractor are provided with weirs in their walls in descending levels in a counter-current direction from 79 to 75, excepting the walls of compartment 74 and the shoot 59. Solution from 73 and 75 may be supplied by a pump 86 to form the slurry with the fresh material. The compartment 74 is used to collect the final miscella or solution from the apparatus. Similar pumps 86 connect the compartments 76 . . . 79 to the sprayers 87 . . . 90. Pure solvent is supplied through sprayer 94. The solution from compartments 73 and 75 is also supplied by pump 95 to the sprayer 97 over the final collecting department 74 through fresh solid material which filters the solution. In a modification of the apparatus provision is made for soaking the material with the solvent in addition to the extraction therewith by providing a number of further cells disposed around the axis and above the previous cells and operating similarly but having imperforate bottom closures, the solid material being discharged from the upper tier of cells into the extracting cells as before.