DT vapor wash

Abstract

An agricultural product treatment system. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a truncated conical section which has a small diameter at one end in fluid communication with a conduit array conveying particulate matter from the DT. An open large diameter end of the structure is axially coextensive and coaxial with an expanded diameter conduit portion.

Claims

1. A conduit array for operatively uniting an evaporator with a desolventizer/toaster (DT) in furtherance of scrubbing vapors from the DT in advance of passage of the vapors to the evaporator, the conduit array comprising: a. a first conduit array segment for receipt of vapors from an egress port of the DT, said first conduit array segment downwardly extending from the egress port at an acute angle; b. a second conduit array segment vertically extending from an egress portion of said first conduit array segment; c. a third conduit array segment extending from an egress portion of said second conduit array segment, said third conduit array segment characterized by an expanded diameter conduit portion and a truncated conical section therein and axially coextensive and coaxial with same so as to delimit an annular plenum within said expanded diameter conduit portion, said truncated conical section having an ingress diameter end in fluid communication with said egress end of said second conduit array segment and an egress diameter end opposite said ingress diameter end, said ingress diameter end being less than said egress diameter end; and, d. a fourth conduit array segment for operatively uniting said third conduit array segment with the evaporator.

2. The conduit array of claim 1 wherein said first conduit array segment downwardly extends from the egress port at an angle of about 45 degrees.

3. The conduit array of claim 1 wherein an angle defined by a wall, forming said truncated conical section, relative to an axis with respect to which the various components are defined, is less than 20 degrees.

4. The conduit array of claim 1 further comprising a mist injection station interposed within a conduit array segment of either or both of said first conduit array segment and said second conduit array segment.

5. The conduit array of claim 4 wherein said first conduit array segment downwardly extends from the egress port at an angle of 45 degrees.

6. The conduit array of claim 5 wherein an angle defined by a wall, forming said truncated conical section, relative to an axis with respect to which the various components are defined, is less than 20 degrees.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE

(1) The FIGURE is a perspective view of a treatment system employing the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(2) Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals denote like elements throughout, the FIGURE illustrates a system 10 for treating agricultural products that have, for example, been processed by using hexane or another solvent. Desolventizers/toasters (DT) are used to recover the solvent and revive the agricultural product.

(3) The FIGURE illustrates a desolventizer/toaster (DT) 12 into which the product being recovered is received. The DT 12 is, in essence, at one end of the process, and an evaporator 14 is at the other end. In between the two is a conduit array 16 through which products are conveyed.

(4) An embodiment of the present invention envisions use of a mist injection station 18. This station 18 is interposed within the conduit array 16 down flow of the DT 12. While other locations for placement of a mist injection station are contemplated, the FIGURE shows it posited in a segment of the conduit array 16 between the DT 12 and evaporator 14 which extends downwardly at an acute angle from an egress port 22 rising from an upper end 24 of the DT 12. It has been found that an angle of 45 degrees relative to the vertical is appropriate for purposes of the system in which the present invention operates.

(5) As shown in the FIGURE, a generally vertically extending segment 26 of the conduit array 16 extends downwardly from an egress end 28 of the angled portion 20. The generally vertically extending segment 26 is in fluid communication with egress end 28 of the segment of the conduit array 16 extending downwardly at an acute angle, namely, angles first section 20.

(6) The egress end 30 of the generally vertical second segment 26, in turn, communicates with a truncated conical section 34, which has a small diameter end 36 and a large diameter end 38, of a third conduit array segment 33. The small diameter end 36 is in fluid communication with an egress end 30 of the generally vertically extending second segment 26. The large diameter end 38 is axially coextensive and coaxial with an expanded diameter conduit portion 40 of the third conduit array segment 33. An annular plenum 42 is thereby defined within the expanded diameter conduit portion 40 between a wall defining that portion and the truncated conical section 34. A bridge section 44 of the conduit array 16 facilitates passage of fluid flow and particulate matter entrained therein from said annular plenum 42 to the evaporator 14.

(7) As shown in the FIGURE, the product treatment system 10 in accordance with the invention can employ a truncated conical section which has a large diameter only slightly larger than the small diameter. The angle of the surface of the truncated conical section 34 relative to the expanded diameter conduit portion 40 will, therefore, be relatively small. It is submitted that the angle can be, in view of the other components of the system, less than 20 degrees.

(8) It will be understood that the mist injection station 18 can serve multiple functions. It can function as a water wash 32 for the particulate material, or it can be employed for adding chemicals to neutralize the effects of corrosive acids and caustic chemicals.

(9) Also, if desired, the truncated conical section 34 and the expanded diameter conduit portion 40 can function as a cyclone. Particulate matter can, therefore, more efficiently be removed.

(10) It will be understood that this disclosure, in many respects, is only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, material, and arrangement of parts without exceeding the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is as defined in the language of the appended claims.