APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF FOODSTUFFS WITH A GASEOUS MEDIUM FOR PROCESSING AND SUBSEQUENT DRYING

摘要

The invention relates to an apparatus for treatment of foodstuffs for processing and subsequent drying. The apparatus comprises an endless conveyo r belt which along part of its length follows a helical path to form a stack, which helical path defines a central space in the stack. The conveyor belt h as passages for letting a flow of a gaseous medium both vertically and horizontally through the stack. An end portion of the stack is vertically surrounded by an encapsulation. The apparatus comprises a first means for supplying a first gaseous medium to said central space, and a second means f or supplying a second gaseous medium to the encapsulation. The encapsulation is arranged to direct the flow of the second gaseous medium in such a manner th at it is passed vertically from said encapsulation to the rest of the stack. Th e invention also relates to a method for treatment of foodstuffs for processin g and subsequent drying.