| 摘要 |
An improved mechanical fractionation system (20) for processing of xanthophyll-containing vegetative crops and the like to yield economically valuable end products, and particularly a relatively xanthophyll rich high protein, essentially friable when dry particulate fraction primarily derived from non-vascular plant leaf or petal tissue, and a separate tougher, particulate fibrous fraction derived principally from plant stem and the leaf vascular xylem and phloem network. The system (20) preferably includes a drying assembly (22) for partially drying the vegetative crop to a moisture content of from about 15-30% by weight, a fractionating hammermill (24) serving to separate the partially dried crop into a high protein xanthophyll-containing fraction and a high fiber fraction, respectively, and an individual, downstream high protein and high fiber fraction processing assemblies (26, 28). The hammermill (24) includes an elongated housing (48) presenting an inlet (50) and a pair of outlets (52, 54); a rotor assembly (56) is situated within the housing (48) and includes a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced outwardly extending hammers (86) each presenting a rounded leading impact surface (88). An internal screen (58) serves to separate the rotor assembly (56) from the second outlet (54). Blower means is connected to the hammermill for directing air into the hammermill housing at a velocity sufficient to effect separation of a high protein xanthophyll-containing fraction and a high fiber fraction respectively. The downstream processing assemblies (26, 28) serve to collect and optionally pelletize the individual xanthophyll-containing high protein fraction and the high fiber fraction.
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