| 摘要 |
<p>A direct-fired steam generator (14, 89, 154) supplies a mixture of super-heated steam and oxygen-deficient non-condensable gases to a pressurized dynamic conditioning vessel (12, 74, 76, 77, 116, 138, 230). The vessel (230) may consist of multiple stages (166, 168, 170) connected in series constructed for heating, moisturizing, mixing and/or stirring, and conditioning matter including cereals, grains, beans, full fat soybean, barley, and seeds for a selected period of time. Each pressurized dynamic vessel is adapted for homogeneous interaction of the direct-fired steam, non-condensable gases and the matter to be conditioned. A myriad of chemical changes are advantageously induced by the utilization of relatively high pressures, controlled time, temperature, direct-fired steam, moisture content, and the homogenous interaction thereof. The desirable chemical changes accomplished by the pressurized dynamic vessel include partial denaturization of protein, eliminating or reduction of harmful enzymes and microorganisms, and insolubilizing certain polysaccharides encapsulating the starch in the grains. A dryer (20, 90) may also be disposed in flow communication with the system for drying and cooling and rendering stable the conditioned matter for subsequent handling.</p> |
