GB1367508A - Process and apparatus for extracting soluble substances from fibrous materials - Google Patents

Abstract

1367508 Extracting sugar juice H S HODDING 3 Nov 1971 51044/71 Heading C6B [Also in Division B1] Soluble substances are extracted from subdivided fibrous material, e.g. sugar cane, by apparatus in which a bed of the fibrous material is compressed by means having a surface which is perforate for drainage of the extracted liquid, and in which an imbibition liquid is introduced to the bed as it leaves the compression means. In an embodiment the fibrous material, broken into short lengths by a fiberizer (not shown), is fed to a maceration carrier (not shown) by which it is conveyed to the upper end of a shoot 31. Whilst on the carrier the material is supplied with imbibition liquid recirculated from sieve areas on the carrier and from later stages of the apparatus. The material, or bagasse, leaving the shoot 31 forms a bed on a roller 33 which has perforations 34 and then enters the nip between the roller and a second roller 32 which is carried by arms 313 pivotally mounted at 321 and adjustably weighted by liquid in its hollow interior. Liquid expressed from the bagasse and passing through the perforations is collected in a stationary casing 36 from which it is recirculated to the maceration carrier. As the bagasse leaves the nip it is collected on a scraper 48 and supplied with imbibition liquid from a trough 46 discharging over a plate 40. The trough, which contains a paddle 41 to maintain solids in suspension in the liquid and is mounted on the arms that carry the roller 32, is fed with liquid recirculated from a later stage. Surface projections on the roller 32 assist in feeding the bagasse to the nip and also coact with the plate 40 to define the width of the liquid discharge channel and remove any solid matter therefrom. The scraper 48 discharges the bagasse on to a maceration carrier 44, which has a sieve area 45, and feeds it to the next stage of the apparatus, comprising a roller unit similar to that shown. Several such stages are arranged in succession, terminating in a high pressure mill or a cone press. Liquid from the last stage is heated before it is recirculated, and heated make-up water is supplied to one of the intermediate stages.