Spiral gas-solids contact apparatus

摘要

The invention is directed to apparatus and methods for contacting gas and solids in the manufacture of edibles, and particularly in connection with coating edible particulate solids. A drum is positioned around an inner tube so that an annular space is defined between the drum and the tube. A rotatable spiral element defines a gas pathway in the annular space, such that rotation of the spiral pushes particulate solids through the drum while the solids are contacted with gas in the annular space.

主权项

1. A gas-solids contact apparatus, comprising:
a drum having an interior wall concentric with an inner tube and defining an annular space between the drum and the inner tube; a source of gas supplying gas to the annular space at a gas entry zone; a solids entry point for introducing particulate solids to the drum; at least one rotatable spiral element in the annular space and oriented on the same axis as the drum defining a spiral gas pathway such that gas does not travel axially through the annular space except along the spiral gas pathway; wherein the inner tube is a closed, air-impermeable volume; and the apparatus is adapted to impart rotary motion to the spiral element and/or drum to move the solids through the drum.