The present invention provides a sterilizer which includes a steam chamber comprising a steam chamber upper member and a steam chamber lower member which are bolt-coupled to each other; an inlet door configured to open or close an inlet of the steam chamber; and an outlet door configured to open or close an outlet of the steam chamber, wherein each of the steam chamber upper member and the steam chamber lower member comprises a housing defining a steam chamber inner space and a plurality of reinforcement ribs formed on a surface of the housing at a predetermined height.

Process for the production legume meal comprising the steps of: a) providing a wet heat treatment reactor comprising a cylindrical tubular body (1) with horizontal axis, having an opening (5, 6, 10) for the introduction of legume meal and water or an aqueous solution and having at least one discharge opening (7), a heating jacket (4) and a rotor (8) arranged inside the cylindrical tubular body; b) feeding a continuous flow of meal into the reactor, in which the rotor (8) is rotated at a speed greater than or equal to 150 rpm; c) feeding into the reactor, together with the flow of meal, a continuous flow of water or aqueous solution, which is dispersed into minute droplets; d) centrifuging the aforementioned flows against the inner wall of the reactor, thus forming a highly turbulent, dynamic, thin tubular fluid layer, while advancing in substantial contact with the inner wall of the reactor towards the discharge opening (7); e) discharging from the discharge opening (7) a continuous flow of a wet meal (moisture content 20-40%); f) providing a thermal dehydration and treatment reactor, comprising a cylindrical tubular body (101) with horizontal axis, having at least one inlet opening (105) and at least one discharge opening (107), a heating jacket (104) and a rotor (108) arranged inside the cylindrical tubular body (101) and comprising a shaft provided with elements (109) projecting radially therefrom; g) feeding the wet meal into the thermal dehydration and treatment reactor, the inner wall of the reactor being kept at a temperature of at least 100 C. and the rotor (108) being rotated at a speed of at least 150 rpm; h) centrifuging and causing the wet meal to advance inside the reactor by the action of the rotor (108); i) discharging from the discharge opening (107) of the reactor a continuous flow of legume meal having a moisture content of between 2% and 15%.

Method for pasteurizing almonds and other nuts with steam at atmospheric pressure. The amount of condensation on and the consequent water uptake of nuts is limited by pasteurizing the nuts in a heating chamber with a gaseous atmosphere including a steam mixture and forming a forced-convection path through the nuts. The limited water uptake maintains the quality of the nuts. A forced-convection steam cooker conveying food products on a foraminous conveyor belt forces the steam mixture through the nuts. A preheater preheats the nuts so that they can be pasteurized in the steam cooker at a temperature of between 85 C. and 99 C. to reduce the dwell time and increase throughput.

Food compositions having a milk ingredient and steam-treated uncooked grains are described. The compositions provide a convenient alternative to overnight oats. The food compositions preferably include yogurt and uncooked steam-treated oats, which form a food product that has a shelf stability at 4 C. of at least 60 days. Methods of making and using such food compositions are also described wherein the grains are treated with steam just before being mixed with the milk ingredient.

Apparatus and methods for bulk processing items on a conveyor belt using an angled axial fan that extends obliquely into a processing chamber that performs a pasteurization or other process on the conveyed items. The angled axial fan enhances air flow around a product being processed on the conveyor belt.

A filtration apparatus is disclosed. The filtration includes a housing with an exhaust passage; and a filter screen supported within the exhaust passage. An operating linkage moves the filter screen between first and second configuration. In the first configuration, the exhaust flow passes through the filter screen in the flow direction from a first side to a second side of the filter screen. In the second configuration, the exhaust flow passes through the filter screen in the flow direction from the second side to the first side of the filter screen. The operating linkage allows convenient and optional automation of the reversal of the flow direction through the filtration screen so that the filter screen is self cleaning.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a procedure of pasteurization of food, preferably nuts and, particularly, almonds.