| 摘要 |
1277906 Treating grain with gases. H N BARHAM and H N BARHAM JNR 15 July 1969 [26 July 1968] 35504/69 Heading A2Q A method of treating the kernel structure of raw grain to adsorb at least one gas, e.g. as a step in the degradation of the grain to extract the starchy portion for industrial uses or for use as an animal feed, comprises placing raw grain in a container, evacuating the container to a first pressure, introducing at least one gas into the container with increase of pressure in the container, halting the introduction of the gas into the container and sealing off the container, and maintaining the container in a sealed condition a sufficient time for the grain to adsorb enough gas to reduce the pressure in the container substantially. The gas may be introduced into the container at a rate at least equal to the adsorption rate of gas by the grain as the pressure in the container is increased. After sealing, the container is maintained in this condition until the pressure ceases to change, whereby grain having an unchanged moisture content, e.g. 5 per cent by weight, and between 0.15 and 5 per cent by weight of adsorbed gas is produced, using an evacuation pressure of between 0 and 173 mm. of mercury, and an increased pressure, during introduction of the gas, of about 102 to 1,100 mm. of mercury. The gas is preferably sulphur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, chlorine, ethylene or ethylene oxide. After receiving the gas treatment, the grain may be further treated in another sealed pressure container to steam at a peak pressure of at least 2.8 Kg. per square centimetre gauge, until the required degree of degradation has been accomplished. |
