| 摘要 |
807,108. Treating food granules. FRENCH CO., R. T. July 6, 1956 [Aug. 3, 1955], No. 21038/56. Class 49. In a method for treating granular food materials by means of a gas, e.g. the deoxygenation of potato or dried milk granules using nitrogen gas; the material is passed under gravity through a substantially vertical duct having a plurality of sections of small bore diameter alternating with a plurality of sections of larger bore diameter and the gas is counterflowed through the duct at a rate such that the material is fluidized in, and flows quiescently through, the sections of small bore and larger bore, respectively. A hopper 10 supplies the granules adjacent the top of the duct which is composed of pipe sections such as 17, each having a portion 18 of smaller bore diameter, alternate sections being inverted so that the ends of adjoining sections are of the same bore and are coupled at 12. Sections 23 and 27 are separated by a section 25 of uniform bore throughout so that in the deoxygenation of potato granules a nitrogen diffuser 35 can be accommodated in the duet to supply nitrogen from a tank 40. The section 29 is connected to a hopper 30 for collecting the granules. In operation, oxygen or air is washed out of the potato granules by passing nitrogen gas up the duct, the granules in the portions 60, 61 of small bore being fluidized and thereby thoroughly washed with nitrogen, while there is a steady flow of granules through the areas 62, 63, 64. Efflux of the gas is through the top of section 16 which is open to the atmosphere. |
