WO1991011922A1

WO1991011922A1 - A device for the hygienical treatment of forage and similar

Info

Publication number: WO1991011922A1
Application number: PCT/IT1991/000008
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gino Germano Bocchi
Original assignee: Gino Germano Bocchi
Priority date: 1990-02-15
Filing date: 1991-02-14
Publication date: 1991-08-22
Also published as: AU7301791A

Abstract

The device for the treatment of forage under elimination of moulds, especially of those ensiled, and of simple fodder, with saturated water steam at temperatures about 100 °C and at a pressure preferably not above one atmosphere for a time period of at least 30 minutes - consists of a tank (10) containing moving means (30) moved by a common shaft (28) for moving the forage inside the tank (10), means for warming the forage having the task of leading the steam to holes (52) regularly provided onto the external surface of the shaft (28), and of an interspace (68) provided in a double external wall of tank (10) through which steam and cooling down means shall pass, consisting of an intake (92) so as to introduce air by means of an external ventilator into tank (10), and into the same interspace (68), through which cooling down means, like cold water, shall pass, and finally an inlet (60) for forage to be treated and an outlet (48) for the treated forage.

Description

A device for the hygienical treatment of forage and similar.

Gino Germano Bocchi

The present invention concerns a device for the realization of a new process for the hygienical treatment of forage and similar, mainly performed by means of heat coming from water steam.

It is already well known that in breeding meat- and milk- animals the feeding is dosed and formulated so as to provide the animals with a feeding and energy contribution corresponding to their needs. E.g., in the case of the milk-bovines, the energy need varies if the animal is in the milk production phase or in gestation phase or in an intermediate phase.

In the following specification a particular reference is made to bovines, particularly to milk-bovines, that show the greater problems from a feeding point of view, without providing therewith to an undesired limitation of the present invention. It is already well known that the digesting provess of the bovines provides for the food staying into the rumen for a more or less long time period for the metabolization of the different components of said foos and therewith the elimi nation of the non-metabolized and/or not digested substances through the excrements.

The energy contribution, that is established in U.F.L., and that is in part considerable, gets lost in the digestion process an at a metabolic level, and therefore the formulation of the food ration must be based also onto specific factors, like e.g. the raw proteins, the digestible proteins and the proteins digestible at intestinal level.

After the fermentation in the rumen the nourishing principles contained in the various kinds of food provide the bovine with energetic elements in variable quantity and nature, like:

- butteric acis caused the the soluble sugars (treacle, ca- robs, sorghum, fodder-mais, etc.);

- propionic acid caused by cereals and by those substances full of starch;

- acetic acid (precursor of the milk-fats) caused by those aliments full of fibres;

- lipides passing directly into the milk.

This means practically that the food ration for the bovines must be balanced, i.e. it must assure the covering of the protein, energy and row fibre needs, beyond an appropriate mineral and vitaminic contribution. Usually, the food rations for a bovine consist of two main components, i.e. forage and fodder; the first ones consist of grass and hay or also complete mais plants, that are given in their fresh condition or after having stored them in a barn, while the fodder consist in wheets, cereal seeds that have undergone mechanical, thermic and hydrothermic treatment and residual products from the working of vegetal substances. Usually the fodder receives addition of mineral salts, vitamines etc.

From the prior art it results that also the relationship between forage and fodder must be graduated according to the needs of the animal, but the percentage of fodder, intended as the dry component of the ration, must usually not go above 50%. Furthermore, the presence of a determined percentage of fibres is necessary, having determined physical features, as the digestive process, the quickness thereof and the easy elimination of the non-digested or not metabolized substances dipend in a considerable measure just on this element of the food ration.

In recent years, a great importance has been given, for what concerns the additives and components of the fodder, the flakes-cereals, obtained by means of a thermic treatment of the cereal that is furthermore subject to lamination and granulation for obtaining small pieces that may be easily mixed to the food ration. For what concerns the forage, great importance have the so- called ensiled forage, consisting of fresh forage stored in great quantities and protected by a covering, e.g., of plastic material; at the momento of use, the stored forage is uncovered and only the needed portion is taken off.

These heaps, however, have the inconvenience due to the fact that beyond desirable fermentation phenomenons due to micro-organisms, in unappropriate conditions the development of moulds may be favoured.

In the case of milk-bovines, these moulds may have negative consequences onto the organoleptic of the produced milk, beyond determining in the same milk the presence of undesired substances for the further transformation of the milk into cheese, especially for particular cheese like the so- called "parmigiano" cheese.

This has meant and still means that for those bovines, whose milk has a particular destination like the one mentioned above, the use of ensiled forage is absolutely excluded. Le consequences and the problems deriving from said prohibition are evident, especially if it is considered that fresh forage has in turn growing problems like the one of the ambient pollution.

It shall not be forgotten that the mentioned moulds, apart from the specific problem of the milk-bovines may cause, in any kind of forage and/or fodder, biotoxic metabolisms or however negative for the growing of the anilam; in some cases said metabolits may put in danger the life of the cuttle, e.g. because they may be cancerous. An example may be the 'aflatoxine B1' (from Aspergillus flavus), considered a potential cancerous agent.

It is furthermore evident that the aforegoing considerations are extended to all animals which, in greater or smaller entity, are provided with a rumen and therefore follow the above mentioned particular digestion process.

In is equally evident that the elimination, or at least the substantial reduction, within acceptable limits, of the contamination substances becomes extremely important, without any reduction of the other features of this essential component of the food ration. In this context it should be considered that the main part of these negative and anti-metabile substances proove to be thermolabile, but a thermic treatment may easily lead to a degradation of the other features of the forage, especially for what concerns proteins, starch and sugars.

It has been found now, and it is the object of the present invention, that if the ensilde forage is subject to the ac tion of saturated water steam, so that the treatmente temperature is comprised between 75°C and 120°C, and the contact with the saturated water steam is kept for at least 30 minutes, at least a substantial reduction of the moulds and spores present in said forage. In particular, by means of the process according to the present invention, the following advantages are obtaines:

a) the moulds and spores are eliminated for at least 90% and in many cases they result to be absent at the end of the treatment;

b) the level of row proteins is mainly unvaried;

c) the sugars are strongly increased;

d) the so-called undigestable fibre, in particular the lignin, is considerably reduced, without a considerable reduction of the digestable fibres (cellulose and emicellulose);

e) the forage ph is slightly incrased for the advantage of the digestion process. These advantageous and surprising results are obtained if the thermic treatment is performed at a temperature comprised in the above mentioned interval with saturated steam, i.e. in presence of water, for a time period of at least 30 minutes and preferably for 1 to 3 hours.

A device according to the present invention, for performing above mentioned process, consists essentially in a closed tank, within which the treatments according to said process may be performed, comprising means for the introduction of water stean inside said tank, characterized in that said means consist in a duct internal to said tank, mainly placed on the axis of the same, that may distribute steam in an uniform way inside the tank, and in means for moving the products contained in said tank, able to uniformly distribute and turn over the same to as to expose them in the most efficient way to the thermic action of the steam, and finally in means for making them advance towards an outlet of the tank for the evacuation thereof once the treatment is completed.

Preferably, said duct consists in a tube coaxial to said tank, provided with holes uniformly provided on the external surface thereof, for the uniform introduction of steam in said tank, also serving as engine shaft for said moving means. In detail, said moving means consist in arms projecting from said engine shaft and carrying blade elements mainly scraping against a peripherical inner wall of said tank.

More in detail, said moving means are provided axially and circumferencyally so as to cover the whole axial length of said tank and the whole circumference of the same. Preferably, said projecting arms for said moving means are at least two for each blade element so as to allow a movement of said blade element against said external periphery.

In an alternative form, the device according to the present invention provides for the treatment of particularly moist forage, like the cuts of Indian corn or similar, instead of the shaft with a central tube providing heating stean through its peripherical holes, an interspace in the lateral external wall through which the steam must pass for allowing a warming up of the stored products without any further or additional steam that might cuase moisture in the forage.

Furthermore, said device also contains an opening for the inlet of cooling air.

Furthermore, said device also provides an outlet duct for the condense formed inside said tank.

In a further alternative, for the cooling down the same interspace in the external lateral wall may be used making pass through it, e.g., cold water.

The experimental tests performed applying the process according to the present invention have prooved its validity with the most various and different kinds of ensiled forages, from the so-called 'silomais' (that is the best known) to the mais grains, to a simple fodder like cotton, for which results a considerable reduction of the 'gossipolo' level.

As the treatment must take place with saturated steam it is obvious that when the temperature increases above 100°C, also the pressure under which the treatment takes place must be correspondingly increased.

As already said, a number of experimental tests have been performed for the process according to the present invention under variation of the operative parameters, i.e. temperature and lasting of the treatment, and performing tests on the forage before and after the treatment.

Hereinbelow, the results of some of these experimental tests are listed in the form of the results of analysis performed by means of the methods well known to those skilled in the art of breeding animals, like the A.G.O.- test and the determination of the fibres according to Van Söest. Example 1

A sample of 'silomais' taken from the top showed, under a- nalysis, the following composition: Moisture% : 64.71

Raw protides%: 2.55 s .t ,q.

Raw fibre%: 8.57 s. t .q.

Moulds : 75 x 10⁴ U.F.C./g

pH: 4.46

After the treatment for 30 minutes at 100°C and under a pressure of 0.4 bar, the repeated analysis gave the following results:

Moisture%: 67.62

Raw protides%: 2.45 s.t.q.

Raw fibres%: 7.14 s.t.q.

Moulds : 80 x 10³ U.F.C./g

pH: 4.99

From these results it can be seen immediately that 99.8% of the moulds have been eliminated.

Example 2

The test of example 1 is repeated on a sample of regular 'silomais', i.e. keeping it for 30 minutes at 100°C and under a pressure of 0.4 bar. The analysis before the treatment gave the following result:

Moisture%. 66.60

Raw protides%: 2.64 s.t.q.

Raw fibre%: 8.14 s.t.q. Moulds : 24 x 10⁵ U . F . C . / g

pH : 3 .69

After the treatment, the results had changed as follows

Moisture%: 68.82

Raw protides%: 2.42 s.t.q.

Raw fibre%: 7.10 s.t.q.

Moulds: 110 U.F.C./g

pH: 3.75

The moulds had been reduced of 99.99%.

Example 3 A sample of regular 'silomais' has been treated at 120°C and for 120 minutes under a pressure of 1 bar with saturat ed steam. Before the treatment, the results were the following:

Moisture%: 68.22

Hemicellulose% : 6.09 s.t.q. - 19.16 s.s

Fibre (Van Sbest): Cellulose%: 8.40 s.t.q. - 26.43 s.s

Lignin %: 0.24 s.t.q. - 0.75 s.s pH: 3.29

Moulds: 24 x 10⁶ U.F.C./g (for leavens)

After the treatment, the results were the following: Moisture %: 68.36 (s.s.% 31.64)

Hemicellulose%: 5.10 s.t.q.

Fibre (Van Söest): Cellulose%: 8.75 s.t.q.

Lignin%: 0.08 s.t.q.

pH: 3.88

Moulds: absent

In this case, beyond the total elimination of the moulds, the variation in the level of the fibre, i.e. of lignin and cellulose, is considerable, wherein the first one shows a reduction of more than 60%.

Example 4

A sample of 'silomais' taken from the centre of the heap has been treated for 90 minutes at 120°C with saturated steam under the pressure of 1 bar. The results of analysis before and after the treatment have been the following: a) before the treatment:

clostrides: 110 U.F.C./g (as red. SO2)

C.M.T.: 80 x 10⁴ U.F.C./g

typification of the moulds: Fusarium spp

Mucor spp

pH 3.25 b) after the treatment:

clostrides: 10 U.F.C./g (as red. SO 2)

C.M.T.: 11 x 10⁴ U.F.C./g

typification of the moulds: Mucor spp

Aspergillus spp

Leavens

Example 5 A series of samples of mais grains have been subjected to the treatment according to the present invention under variation of time period and temperature of said treatment. The analytic results have been shown in table 4. (table 4 on the next sheet)

In particular, the sample 5.0 is related to non-treated mais, the sample 5.1 is related to mais treated for 30 minutes at 75°C, the sample 5.2 to mais treated for 60 minutes at 100°C, the sample 5.3 to mais treated for 90 minutes at 100°C, the sample 5.4 fo mais treated like sample 5.3 and cooled down to 30°C, while the sample 5.5 is the same than sample 5.3 with a prolonged permanence beyond 80°C. From this table it can be immediately seen that already at the lower limit conditions of the process, more than 50% of the moulds are eliminated, and that the elimination will become total when time and temperature are increased. From this table also the further advantages obtained by means of the process according to the present invention can be desumed.

Example 6

A sample of cotton seeds has been subjected to the treatment with saturated steam for 30 minutes at 100°C and under a pressure of about 0,4 bar. Hereinbelow the results before and after the treatment are listed.

Moisture%: 6.64 AW : 0.57

Raw ρrotides%: 18.71

Raw lipides%: 15.03

Peroxides: NGD 1.01

meq. o 2/kg liρides:NRA 2.38

Gossipol : 3242 ppm

Moulds : 80 x 10² U.F.C./g

Moisture%: 11.34

AW: 0.79

Raw ρrotides%: 18.27

Raw lipides%: 18.92

Peroxides: NGD 5.52

meq. 0 2/kg lipides:NRA 6.22

Gossipol : 3190 ppm

Moulds: 10 U.F.C./g

This means that 90% of the moulds is eliminated, while the gossipolo remains unvaried.

A further sample of the same cotton seeds is treated for 120 minutes at 120°C. The analysis shows that the gossipolo passes from 3058 ppm to 502,2 ppm. The conclusion is that if the time period of the treatment is increased, the total elimination of this negative factor may be obtained, without therefore modifying in an irreversible manner its organoleptic features.

The device according to the present invention is described hereinbelow in detail relating to the attached figures, in which: figure 1, is a scheme of a partial cross-section of a device according to the present invention for the discontinuous treatment of forages according to a first embodiment, for fix plants; figure 2, is a partial cross-section of the device of figure 1, that shows a scheme, in a first position, of a system for the moving of the forages during the treatments performed in the device o figure 1; figure 3, is a view similar to the one of figure 2, showing the system for moving the forages in a different position; figure 4, is a front section along line IV-IV of figure 3 figure 5, is a lateral scheme of a device for discontinuous treatment of forages, mounted onto a movable cart that, e.g., may be pulled by a tractor; figure 6, is a front section along line VI-VI of figure 5, of the device according to the embodiment, in its loading position; figure 7, is a front schene of a device for the continuous forage treatment according to a third embodiment according to the present invention, placed and developped in horizontal position; figure 8, is a lateral scheme of a device for the continuous treatment of forages according to a fourth embodiment according to the present invention, placed and developped in vertical position. In consideration of figures 1 to 4, the first embodiment of the device according to the present invention, for the discontinuous treatment of forages, consists in a tank 10 mounted on supporting pillars 12 e 14 resting onto a base 16 onto which also a moving group 13 is mounted, consisting in a motor 20, in a variator 22, e.g. of hydraulic kind, and in a control panel 24 having the functions of controlling the speed and the rotation sense of a pinion 26 pro jecting from variator 22, said pinion 26 being connected to a shaft 28 internal to tank 10 carrying moving means 30 a-f having the task of moving the materials loaded in tank 10 as described and shown more in detail hereinbelow.

In detail, said moving means 30 a-f are each formed of first pairs or arms 32 a-f, parallelly projecting from said shaft 28, of second pairs of arms 34 a-f, parallelly projecting from the same sgaft 28 and diametrically opposed to the corresponding arms of the first pairs, said pairs of arms 32 a-f and 34 a-f having fixed thereon mixing and advancing elements for material 36 a-f and 38 a-f in the shape of wedge-shaped plates which, as can be seen in particular in figures 2 and 3, have the first sides 40 a-c and 42 a-c parallel to the central axis of the tank 10, and second sides 44 a-c and 46 a-c inclined to said axis, so that the first sides 40 a-c and 42 a-c have the function of turning over the materials contained in tank 10 because the put in to function elements 36 a-f and 38 a-f like plane blades, and the second sides 44 a-c and 46 a-c will make advance said materials along a direction parallel to the central axis of said tank for leading them towards the outlet area of the same or for similar purposes, because they put into function elements 36 a-f and 38 a-f as parts of helicoidal screws causing the advancing in a determined direction of the materials contained in said tank 10. In particular, figure 1 shows that the wedge-shaped plates 36 a-c and 38 a-c have their second sides inclined in such a way as to allow the advancing of the material from the extreme right towards the centre of tank 10, while the wedge-shaped plates 36 d-f and 38 d-f have their second sides inclined in such a way as to allow the advancing of the material from the extreme left to the centre of tank 10, because in this particular case an outlet 48 is provided for the material in central position under tank 10.

It shall however be considered that, for obtaining a correct turning over of the materials to be treated, beyond moving means 30 a-f that have been shown and that nearly touch the internal walls of tank 10, also further moving means (non shown) may be necessary, realized line said means 30 a-f, but shorter. The use of said further moving means however does not go beyond the limits of the present invention. The central shaft 28, carrying the moving means 30 a-f, is a tube provided with a passing cavity 50 in communication with the internal of tank 10 through holes 52, for introducing steam inside tank 10 for obtaining the purpose set forth by the treatment of forages described and claimed in Italian patent application no. 19371 A/90. Said tubular shaft 28 is also connected at a first end to a pinion 26 for receiving the movement from the same, and at a second end to an inlet connection 54 containing a sealing joint for the introduction of steam into said passing cavity 50.

Tank 10 is also provided with an inlet 60 for the material to be treated, consisting in particular in a hopper 62 and in a valve 64 that allows the passage of the materials to be loaded even if substantially preventing the outlet of the atmosphere internal to the tank. In a similar way, the outlet 48 is provided with a valve 66 for allowing the passage of materials treated without a substantial outlet of the internal atmosphere.

Tank 10 is externally provided with a double wall forming an interspace 68 within which a warm fluid may pass like steam, or a cooling down fluid, like water, according to a warming up or cooling down need for the load of the same tank. The external wall of said interspace 68 is also provided with an insulating covering 70 having the purpose of reasonably limiting the heat interchange with the external ambient for saving reasons. Furthermore, a feeding tube 72 connected to inlet intakes 74 and 76 introduces the necessary fluid for the requested process into interspace 68, and then gets out through an outlet like an outlet intake 78.

Said tank 10 is also provided at its lower part with a tube 80 for the discharge of eventual condenses, and on its up per part with a safety valve 82, having the obvious task of limiting the internal pressure, with a duct 84 for the outlet of stean communicating with an eventual cyclone 86 for elimination of the condense that directly discharges through an outlet 88 and internally through an inlet 90 for an eventual return of moisture. Furthermore, also an inlet 92 is provided for the inlet of air, like cold air for realizing cooling down cycles inside the tank, as will be described more in detail hereinbelow.

Considering now figures 5 and 6, a device according to the present invention applied to a cart consists in a tank 110 carryied by a frame 112 of the kind of a farm cart provided with a towing hook 113 and with moving wheels 114 and 116, that also carries a moving group 118 comprising a connection 119 for a cardan shaft to be connected to a tractor, in a hydraulic variatori 120 provided with an oil tank 122, in a manoeuvre and control group 124, consisting of operating levers and control and signal instruments, in a hydraulic variator 120, and in a projecting pinion 126 connected to a shaft 128 internal to said tank 110 (shown only in figure 6) for transmitting the movement of the shaft to the inside of said tank 110. According to figure 6, said shaft 128 is provided with arms 132 a-c and 134 a-c carrying at their externals ends wedgeshaped plates 136 a-c and 138 a-c, having the same func tions of the wedge-shaped plates 36 a-c and 38 a-c shown in figures 1 to 4, because the device of figure 5 and 6 mainly performs the same treatment processes of the fix device shown in said figures from 1 to 4, wherein the only possible difference might consists in the orientation of the wedge-shaped plates 136 a-c and 138 a-c, because in the movable device shown in figures 5 and 6 the loading inlet and the discharge are provided in positions being axially opposite so that the advancing of the material to be treated may occur in one single direction (in the present case from left to right).

Similarly to what has been shown for the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 4, the shaft 28 is hollow and provided with a passing hole 150 for the passage of steam through the same and obviously also provides holes, like hole 152, for the introduction of steam inside tank 110.

The loading of tank 110 is performed by inlet means 160 comprising a hopper 162, that may rest on the ground on a support 161, and provided with an advancing Archimedean screw 163 that may be operted by a motoreducer 169 and ending up in an inlet valve 164, that may be opened only in case of loading the material into tank 110, which is controlled by an operating cylinder 165.

The discharge of the tank is performed by means 148 consi sting of a tube eventually provided with an advancing Archimedean screw, comprising also an outlet valve 166 that may be opened only for unloading the treated material, that is controlled by an operating cylinder 167.

Also this embodiment may provide a double external wall for the tank 110, delimiting an interspace 168, within which steam for heating or water for cooling may pass, and for economical reasons said wall may also be coated with a layer 170 of insulating material thta reduces the heat exchange to the external ambient (see figure 6).

As it can be seen in figure 6, and as it is obvious, the frame 112 carrying the tank 110 rests by means of suspensions, like leaf springs 115 and 115 a here shown on an axle 117 connecting the moving wheels 116 and 116a.

A steam inlet connection 154 provides for a connection with the internally hollow shaft 128 for the introduction of steam along the axis of tank 110, while a feeding tube 172 connected to inlet intakes 174 and 176 provides for the introduction into interspace 168 of steam or cold water according to the warming up or cooling down requests for the external wall of the tank. The interspace 168 is also provided with an outlet intake 178 for discharging said steam or water. Said tank 110 is also provided, on the lower part thereof, with a tube 180 for the discharge of eventual condenses and on the upper part thereof with a safety valve 182 having the obvious task of limiting the internal pressure, with a duct 184 for the steam outlet communicating with an eventual cyclone 186 for the elimination of the condense that is discharged to the outside through an outlet 188 and to the inside through an inlet 190 for an eventual moisture return. Furthermore, also an inlet 192 is provided for the air introduction, like cold air for obtaining cooling down cycles inside the tank, as will be explained more in detail hereinbelow. Finally, a window 194 allows an inspection to the inside of the tank for controlling the filling up level of the same, the moving of the treated material and similar.

It may be easily considered that the device according to above mentioned embodiment may be considerably simplified, e.g. under elimination of the interspace 168 with its feed ing tube 172 and the inlet intakes 174 and 176 and the out let intake 178, and this may be economically convenient fo movable devices of reduced dimensions requested on smaller farms, without therefor leaving the limits of the present invention.

When considering figure 7, the fix device for continuous treatments consists in a plurality of tanks 210 a-d rest ing, by means of supporting pillars 212 a-d and 214 a-d, on bases 216 a-d. Said tanks 210 a-d contain moving means comprising central shafts 228 a-d and complexes of arms and pales 230 a-d for performing all those movements of turning over and of advancing of the materials already shown for the first embodiment shown in figures 1 to 4.

The loading of each one of the tanks 210 a-d is performed by loading means consisting of tubes 260 a-d of which the first (on the left) is provided with a hopper 262 followed by a loading valve 264, that allows the passage of the materials to be loaded without allowing a substantial outlet of the atmosphere from the inside of tanks 210 a-d, and with an Archimedean elevator 263 a which, moved by a motoreducer 269 a, leads the materials into the tank 210 a. In a similar way the remaining tubes 260 b-d are provided with Archimedean elevators 263 b-d which, moved by the respective motoreducers 269 b-d, lead the materials from an outlet 248 a-c of a precedent tank 210 a-c to an inlet of a following tank 210 b-d. Finally, the last tank 210 d is provided with an outlet 248 d, followed by a discharge valve 266 that allows the passage of treated materials without allowing a substantial outlet of the atmosphere internal to the tanks.

As it may happen that in some tanks 210 a-d heating treatments are performed, while in others cooling treatments are performed, it may be appropriate to separate the atmospheres of the single tanks, even if allowing the continuous passage and translation of the materials to be treated respectively through tanks 210 a-d and tubes 260 a-d, by means of valves similar to the discharge valve 266, to be placed between each discharge 248 and the following loading tubes 260 b-d.

Considering figure 8, that shows a lateral view of a fix device according to a fourth embodiment according to the present invention, for performing in a continuous manner the hydienical treatments for forages, and said device is placed and developped vertically. In said figure 8 the fix device for continuous treatments consists in a plurality of overlaid tanks 310 a-d, each of which is resting, by means of support pillars 312 a-c and 314 a-c, on an underlaying tank and the last one is restin on a base 316 by means of supporting pillare 312 d and 314 d. Said tanks 310 a-d contain moving means similar to those shown in the first embodiment shown in figures 1 to 4.

The loading of the first tank 310 a is performed by a load ing system consisting of a tube 360 provided with a hopper 362, followed by a loading valve 364, that allows the passage of the materials to be loaded without allowing a substantial outlet of the atmosphere inside the tanks 310 a-d, and of an Archimedean elevator 363 that leads the materials inside tank 310a. Outlets 348 a-c lead the materials from an overlaying tank 310 a-c to an underlaying tank 310 b-d. Finally, the last tank 310 d is provided with an outlet 348 d followed by a discharge valve 366 that allows the passage og the treated materials to an outlet hopper 380, or similar, without allowing a substantial outlet of the atmosphere internal to the tanks. As it may happen that in some tanks 310 a-d heating treatments are performed and in other ones cooling treatments are performed, it might be appropriate to separate the atmospheres of the single tanks, even if allowing the continuous passage and translation of the materials to be treated respectively through tanks 310 a-d and the outlets 348 a-d, by means of valves similar to discharge valve 366, to be inserted in each outlet 348 a-c.

Claims

1. A device mainly consisting of a closed tank (10) in which hygienizing treatments for forages or similar may be performed, comprising means for the introduction of water steam inside said tank (10), characterized in that said means consist of a duct internal to said tank (10), placed essentially on the axis of the same, able to distribute steam in a uniform manner inside the tank, and moving means (30 a-f) for the materials contained in said tank (10) able to uniformly distribute and turn over the same so that they are better exposed to the thermic action of the steam, and finally to make them advance towards an outlet (48) of tank (10) for the outlet thereof once the treatment is completed.

2. A process for the hygienizing treatment of forages and similar, obtained using the device according to claim 1, characterized in that a thermic treatment with saturated water steam is performed at a temperature comprised between 75°C and 120°C for a time period of at least 30 minutes, and in that said treatment is prolonged until the complete elimination of the moulds and spores present in the forage or in the fodder is obtained, and to the substantial recuction of the level of gossipol for fodder, consisting in cotton seeds.

3. A process according to claim 2, characterized in that said forage is chosed between 'silomais' and grains, and always kept in contact with saturated water steam, following to the regulation of the treatment pressure.

4. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said duct consists in a tube coaxial to said tank (10) provided with holes (52) uniformly distributed on the external surface thereof, per the uniform introduction of steam into said tank (10), and that has also the function of shaft (28) for said moving means (30 a-f).

5. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that said moving means (30 a-f) consist of arms (32 a-f, 34 a-f) projecting from said shaft (28), and carrying blade e- lements mainly scratching against a peripherical wall internal to said tank (10), and axially and circumferentially distributed so as to cover all the axial length of said tank (10) and all the circumference of the same.

6. A device according to the precedent claims, characterized in that said projecting arms (32 a-f, 34 a-f) for said moving means (30 a-f) are in a number of at least two for each blade element (36 a-f, 38 a-f) for allowing the movement to said blade element (36 a-f, 38 a-f) againts said external periphery.

7. A device according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that it provides in tank (10), for particulary moist forages like mais cuts or similar, in alternative to the central tube shaft (28) that provides heating steam through its peripherical holes (52), an interspace (68) in the external lateral wall through which steam may pass for allowing the heating of the loaded materials without adding further steam that might cause moisture to said forages.

8. A device according to claim 7, characterized in that it contains also an opening (92) for the inlet of cooling air.

9. A device according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that it provides also a duct (80) for the discharge of condenses formed in said tank (10).

10. A device according to claims 7 to 9, characterized in that for the cooling the same interspace (68) in the external lateral wall may be used, making pass through it, e.g., cold water.