METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF TOBACCO

摘要

A tobacco enhancement apparatus comprises a tunnel (12) having a vibratory conveyor floor (18), and an inlet (14) for receiving unexpended tobacco shreds. A steaming and swirling station (32) is located downstream of the inlet and comprises an array of overhead steam nozzles arranged above the floor for steaming and expanding the shreds . The steam nozzles are positioned and angled to create vortices amongst the shreds. A conditioning venturi station (50) is located downstream of the steaming station for prolonging the exposure of the expanded tobacco shreds to conditions of increased vapour pressure. A setpoint controller (198) is provided for automatically monitoring and adjusting the downward angle of the steam nozzles, the steam pressure, t he height of the nozzles, the height of the venturi station and the temperature of the expanded tobacco.