A drum separator for separating brine shrimp eggs from a slurry containing an agglomeration of adult brine shrimp, brine shrimp eggs and debris includes a fluid source to maintain a slurry. The fluid source may be an internal spray jet disposed to spray against the slurry inside the drum for breaking up the agglomeration of adult brine shrimp, brine shrimp eggs and debris so that the brine shrimp eggs may pass through openings formed in the drum. An external spray jet is disposed to spray against the exterior surface of the drum for cleaning the adult brine shrimp and debris out of the openings in the drum. The internal spray jet is preferably an elongated pipe having a plurality of openings and is disposed inside the rotating drum. The external spray jet is preferably an elongated pipe with a plurality of openings and is disposed along the exterior of the rotating drum.

Drum separator for brine shrimp eggs

The field of the invention relates to a method for processing food products to prepare the food products for packaging. The methods involve presteaming, steeping, steam cooking, and then drying the food products. The method reveals pressure cooking with a pressure that is maintained below 15 psi, and in a steam vessel. Chemical additives may be added to the food products during processing. The apparatus includes a conveyor, steeping tanks as needed, and a water recirculation system. A dryer which includes a rotating barrel adapted for agitation of the food products during cooking is also included.

Method for processing rice

Water is circulated in the processing of food products, such as rice, and in quantities sufficient to avoid undesirable clumping within processing machinery. Further, recycled water produced during the processing of food products is recirculated and reabsorbed by the food products. A portion of the water which contains cooked starch is drained off, and the remainder is recirculated in the processing of additional food products. In one application, a method and apparatus for recirculating water in the processing of rice is provided, whereby the ratio of the amount of water used and/or excreted in the processing of the rice as compared to the amount of cooked rice is less than or equal to about 3:1 by volume.

Method for efficient utilization of water in processing food products

The field of the invention is food drying apparatus and methods. In particular, the invention discloses a rotary dryer which dries food granules, such as rice, by rotation within a perforated cylindrical barrel, to prepare the rice for packaging. The dryer provides high velocity drying zones along its length, and high temperatures may be used.

Food drying method

The invention is directed to apparatus and methods for contacting gas and solids in the manufacture of edibles, and particularly in connection with coating edible particulate solids. A drum (10) is positioned around an inner tube (20) so that an annular space (30) is defined between the drum (10) and the tube (20). A rotatable spiral element (110) defines a gas pathway in the annular space (30), such that rotation of the spiral (110) pushes particulate solids through the drum (10) while the solids are contacted with gas in the annular space (30).

Spiral gas-solids contact apparatus and method

For the uniform treatment of bulk material by means of a gas the bulk material is fluidized in a rotating container (101) in order to be mixed by the rotation thereof. In the case of heating the bulk material the rotation of the container is expediently interrupted at periodic intervals. A transport device is preferably provided in the interior of this container, in particular in the form of a worm or screw flight (20) of irregular pitch--related to one rotation in order to be able to precisely determine the dwell time through the mechanical transport. This screw (20) is preferably constructed as a two-start screw (FIG. 6).

Method and apparatus for treating bulk material

For the uniform treatment of bulk material with a gas, the bulk material is fluidised in a rotating vessel (101) in order to be mixed by the rotation. When the material is heated, this is expediently interrupted at periodic intervals; in the interior of this vessel a transport device, in particular in the form of a screw (20) of irregular pitch - based on one rotation - is preferably provided in order thus to be able to exactly define the residence time by mechanical transport. This screw (20) is preferably constructed as a double-threaded screw.

Karl Benz

Papers

Method and apparatus for treating bulk material

Process for treating bulk material and apparatuses and plant therefor