John Bean Technologies Corporation

Fmc Technologies, Inc.

Eduard Hendrikus Johannes Damhuis

Kevin Andrew Carlson

Bart Aluwé

A recirculation circuit for a processing vessel is configured to process a load with a process fluid. The recirculation circuit includes a first circuit portion configured to recirculate a first portion of the process fluid through the vessel. The first circuit portion includes a first pump having a first flow rate and a first output pressure and a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first pump. A second circuit portion is configured to recirculate a second portion of the process fluid through the vessel. The second circuit portion includes a second pump having a second flow rate higher than the first flow rate and a second output pressure lower than the first output pressure.

Retort system

A fluid suction system for a retort having a vessel with a vessel length, pooled fluid at a bottom of the vessel defining a fluid surface level, and an outlet placing the vessel in fluid communication with a pump includes an elongated manifold for placement along the bottom of the vessel in fluid communication with the outlet. The pooled fluid flows into and through the manifold when the pooled fluid is suctioned by the pump, and the fluid surface level of the pooled fluid remains substantially even along at least a portion of the vessel length as the pooled fluid is suctioned by the pump.

Retort fluid suction system

A retort agitation system () for thermal processing of products includes product carriersandmounted on a low friction support systemfor reciprocal movement of the carriers along the interior of a retort. The product carriers are driven in reciprocating motion by a drive actuator systemthat can be positioned between the carriersandor endwise of the two carriersand. A drive actuator systemis linked to the carriers to cause the carriers to move along opposite reciprocating paths lengthwise of the retort. Reaction actuatorsact on the carriers in opposition to the drive actuator systemto apply forces on the carriers for accelerating the carriers along the reciprocating paths of travel when such carriers reach the distal and proximal ends of the reciprocating travel paths.

Retort agitation system

An agitating retort () includes an outer shell () within which the drum structure () is disposed for rotation within the shell while supporting a number of baskets () for holding products to be processed within the retort. Processing fluid is applied to the interior of the shell () through a rotary coupling () disposed within the shell. The coupling routes processing fluid to a distribution system () to outlet holes or nozzles () positioned within the drum structure ().

Process fluid distribution system for agitating retorts

A vacuum pick-up device includes a vacuum supply valve mounted to a distribution manifold to which a plurality of suction cups is attached. The vacuum supply valve is operational to control the vacuum pressure supplied to the suction cups of the device. The vacuum pick-up device further includes a detection device that controls the vacuum supply valve by detecting the selective presence of an object.

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Bousval, Belgium

Eduard Hendrikus Johannes Damhuis