METHOD OF ACCELERATED WATER REMOVAL

摘要

A process of, and apparatus for, accelerated water vapor removal from nutrient-containing materials such as molasses is provided. Raw molasses is preheated; continuously agitated while advancing at a flowrate of at least about 5.68 L/min (1.5 gpm) through a cooking apparatus in the presence of a temperature greater than 154 °C (310 °F); continuously agitated while advancing through a cooling apparatus at a reduced temperature, and while removing separated water vapor from the cooked molasses to form a cooled molasses having a homogenous temperature profile. The molasses may be admixed with supplements. The product is then packaged. An orificed helical conveyor having a plurality of protrusions from the outer perimeter agitates the cooking molasses. An orificed helical conveyor having gaps in the perimeter of the conveyor alternating with protrusions along the perimeter of the conveyor agitates the cooling molasses.