Method and apparatus for conditioning fibrous materials

Abstract

An apparatus for cooling and conditioning chopped, fibrous materials such as chopped alfalfa, wood chips or the like includes a rotatable drum having helical flights for advancing materials as well as a series of radial flights that selectively retard portions of the fibrous materials. A spray apparatus located within upstream regions of the drum directs a spray of water and additives such as binders and preservatives toward the materials, while an induced stream of air flowing through the drum in countercurrent relationship to the advancement of materials causes cooling of the latter by conduction as well as evaporation. Relatively finer and therefore drier portions of the fibrous materials are directed rearwardly by the countercurrent stream of air back toward the spray apparatus to thereby increase the moisture content of the same and equilibrate with regard to the moisture content of remaining portions of the fibrous materials. The drum rotates slowly to mix and condition the materials and also functions as an accumulator in case upstream or downstream processes are interrupted.