Patent GB-681092-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in countercurrent extracting or washing processes
IPC: B01D11/02
Filed: 1947-12-17
Abstract: The countercurrent extraction of fats or oils from solid or semi-liquid materials (for example extracting oils from oil seeds with petrol as a solvent) is effected by continuously feeding the two phases, one to each extremity of a horizontal or inclined group of tubes which rotate about an axis parallel to those of the individual tubes, whilst ensuring equal distribution of each phase through individual tubes, and collecting the separate phases at opposite extremities.  The helical movement of the solid through the tubes may be assisted by the provision of helical or other elements <PICT:0681092/III/1> <PICT:0681092/III/2> <PICT:0681092/III/3> <PICT:0681092/III/4> <PICT:0681092/III/5> <PICT:0681092/III/6> <PICT:0681092/III/7> placed in the tubes.  Equal distribution is obtained in Fig. 1 by arranging the tubes 17 in frusto-conical form beneath the feed hopper 4 for the solid.  A spiral 23 surrounds the group of tubes rotating about an axis 11 to force any fines towards the outlet 8 for the liquid, such liquid passing through a screen 3 on which a filter bed of solids of predetermined thickness is maintained by an arm 21 rotating with the tubes.  The liquid enters at 6 and the solid is withdrawn at 7.  In Fig. 3, the solid is fed from a hopper 4 through a diaphragm 76 to a space 32.  Solvent-laden air withdrawn from the apparatus enters at 80.  The solid is caught up in a device 34 which rotates at the same or different rate as the group of tubes 17, the device consisting of radial partitions and an annular ring 35, Fig. 4, broken at intervals by flap valves 37 which open under the weight of the solid feed to allow solid to fall inside the annular ring to be fed to the inner series of tubes.  The solid, after passing through the tubes, enters the space 43 from where it is forced by vanes 44, Fig. 5, to a screw conveyer 47.  The solid is squeezed against a spring-loaded cover plate 49 and discharged after comminution by a rotating blade 53, through the outlet 48.  The solvent entering at 58 passes through a filter 39 and out at 60, or is withdrawn through a series of inclined tubes 66 when solid matter entrained therein falls back to the feeding device.  An alternative feeding device (Fig. 8) comprises bent plates 119 which catch the solid and feed it to the tubes.  As shown in Fig. 7, the tubes may be welded to a plate 83 and suspended in a liquid bath 84, the inlet and outlet means being arranged outside the bath.  Buoyancy tanks 85 may be used to reduce the weight on the bearings and the tank may be divided, as by the plate 88 into sections, one or both of which may be heated. The tubes may contain, instead of a spiral, perforated plates 116, lateral strips 118, sealed floating tubes 117, Figs. 7 and 8, or vertical plates 20, Fig. 1.  The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91, comprises also an apparatus as shown in Fig. 9 (Cancelled) where solid or semi-liquid material is fed from a hopper 108 to a space 111 where it is agitated by a stirrer 101 before passing through a net 102 to a revolving group of tubes 92. This phase is withdrawn at 104. The extraction liquid enters at 105 and after passing through the tubes 92 enters a bundle of stationary tubes 90 where solid or semi - liquid entrained matter is separated, before passing out at 106.  This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.