Hosokawa Bepex Corporation

Bepex Corporation

Greg J Kimball

Ilya Pikus

Masayuki Inoue

Kevin Burns

A method for treating material comprising starch and starch-bearing products wherein the products are introduced to a thermal processor comprising a housing defining an inner wall surface, an inlet end, an outlet end, and an agitator rotatable within the housing adapted to direct the material into contact with the inner wall surface. The inner wall surface is heated and nozzles associated with the agitator are used for discharging fluid from the nozzles into contact with the material during rotation of the agitator. Heating to obtain treatment of the material is provided by contact with the inner wall surface and by controlling the fluid discharge from the nozzles to create turbulence for spreading the material over a broad surface area of the inner wall surface to enhance and render substantially uniform the heat exchange between the material, the fluid, and the inner wall surface, and to control mass transfer between the fluid and the material. Moisture content of the material is controlled in the processor independent of material temperature.

Method for treating starch and starch-bearing products

A system for crystallization of polymers involving the use of a stationary housing with a rotor mounted for rotation within the housing. The rotor supports a plurality of spaced apart hollow discs and heated fluid is delivered to the interior of the discs. The polymer material to be treated is fed into the housing for heat exchange contact with the exterior surfaces of the discs. The rotation of the discs in addition serves as the propelling force for the material along the length of the housing at which point the material is discharged. The speed of rotation of the rotor is controlled to influence agitation and conveying of material in the housing to thereby control the crystallization reaction. A holdup mechanism which operates independently of the speed control is located adjacent the discharge location to contribute to the fixing of the residence time. The material inlet operation, discharge operation and residence control are such that the ratio of crystallized to uncrystallized material is maintained within desired limits, typically at about 4 to 1. The method and apparatus provides various other operating parameters and structural features which maximize the efficiency of the crystallization reaction.

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Blaine, MN, United States of America

Greg J Kimball