| 摘要 |
<p>An evaporator in the form of a vacuum pan has partitions (38) providing a plurality of compartments (42, 46) between an inlet and outlet. The compartments increase in volume from the inlet to the outlet, each compartment having at least one pair of hollow fins (50). A pair of shafts (32) pass through the partitions (38) to provide vanes (58) in each compartment. The vanes (58) pass over the surfaces of the respective fins (50) to agitate fluid in the vacuum pan, the fluid passing from compartment to compartment by way of weirs. The number of fins (50) in each compartment increases from the inlet to the outlet, and the fins (50) may be heated, as may be the vanes (58). The apparatus is advantageous in preparing crystalline sugar from sugar solution, providing for even dispersal of sugar crystals and keeping the massecuite in motion before the latter in its most concentrated state leaves the compartment (46) for further processing.</p> |
