Plant for the treatment of vegetable and animal raw materials with an extraction or lixiviation liquid

摘要

An apparatus for treating vegetable or animal raw materials with an extraction or lixiviation liquid consists of two extractors or two sets of extractors, connected together at their bases by a conduit through which the extraction liquid passes, said conduit having a heating device inserted therein. Two sets of extractors 1, 2, Fig. 1, are connected together by pipes 3, 4, and to a pump 12, PICT:0358536/III/1 PICT:0358536/III/2 a heater 13 through which low-pressure steam passes, and a centrifuge 14. A pressure cylinder 15 is connected at the remote ends of the pipes 3, 4 and to a multiway cock 11, whereby a difference in pressure between the pipes 3, 4 moves the piston which reverses the cock 11. In operation, the vessels 1, 2 are filled with the material to be treated, e.g. whale blubber and a suitable extraction liquid is added. A pump 12 draws the extraction liquid from the vessels 2 through the pipe 4, heater 13 and centrifuge 14 to the vessels 1 through the pipe 3. When the pressure in the vessels 1 reaches a predetermined limit the piston moves to the right whereby the intake of the pump 12 is connected to the pipe 3 and the liquid returns through the heater &c. to the vessels 2. In the centrifuge 14 air and extracted oil are separated from the extraction liquid; the liberated air passing through a purifier 20 wherein vapours are condensed, and the separated liquids passing to separators 16, 17. A minimum level of liquid is maintained in the separators by a pressure regulator 23. The apparatus may be employed in the digestion of wood pulp or in a leaching process. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) comprises also an apparatus suitable for domestic washing. The clothes are placed in vessels 1, 2, Fig. 2 (Cancelled), which are connected at their bases by a double-walled tube 3 heated, for example, by an electrical resistance, and are connected by a tube 9 at the top. The vessels are mounted on a pivotal support 31. In operation one vessel is filled with the extraction liquid, and the apparatus is tilted at intervals, the liquid being heated during passage between the vessels. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.