Process and Apparatus for Cleansing and Preparing Grain for Grinding.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Sept.. 1889
Complete Specification Left, 4th June, 1890-Accepted, 19th July, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Process and Apparatus for Cleansing and Preparing Grain for
Grinding.
We, FRANCOIS QUENEHEN and ACHILLE VANSTEENKISTE, both of No. 7 Allée verte,
Brussels, Belgium, Millers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to a process for cleansing and preparing grain whereby this
is presented to the decorticating and grinding processes in the most advantageous
conditions for these processes, the grain being also brought to a state of purity which
has not been attained heretofore.
The improved process consists essentially in treating the cereals with a current of
steam before or after having subjected them to a brushing operation, either in a dry
state, or with simultaneous application of water, according to the nature of the grain
to be treated, such treatment being effected in apparatus of peculiar construction.
The treatment with steam gives extraordinary results, both as regards cleansing,
disinfection and decortication of the cereals.
As regards the cleansing, the passage of the grain, even the most incrusted with
impurities, through the current or jet of steam has the effect of producing a perfectly
pure article of commerce. Thus in regard to grain that has been grown in colored
soils, black or blue, red or greyish, such as those of the Black Sea, the Danube,
Chili, &c., this retains more particularly in its crease a dust agglomerated by rain
and heat, which it is absolutely impossible to remove by ordinary means, so that the
grain can only yield flour of inferior quality, whereas by the treatment with steam
these impurities are removed to the last trace, thereby raising the quality of such
grain to the level of the best qualities. It is evident that so radical an action upon
the skin of the grain must also disinfect the most damaged kinds in the most perfect
manner so as to transform grain that has entered into fermentation in consequence of
absence of ventilation &c. and which is considered as useless for food, into a product
which is perfectly available for grinding and making bread, the result of fermen-
tation &c. being nothing more than the production of small fungi which by the
above means are removed from the root. As these fungi only adhere to the cuticle,
it is evident that the kernel is not affected thereby, and that the latter being entirely
freed from the putrid germs, are again rendered available for consumption.
On the other hand it will be seen that so energetic an action upon the outer and
inner cuticles of the grain will not leave the same intact, that is to say it will cause
them to swell and will dissociate them from the kernel, so that a slight compression
of the grain will split these and they can then be removed with the greatest facility
the grain in passing through the decorticating machine giving on the one hand
pure grain, and on the other hand bran consisting exclusively of split but entire
cuticles.
For obtaining the above described effects, the contact of the grain with the steam
should not be of long duration, and the steam employed should be at the lowest
possible temperature, so that exhaust steam can very well be used for the purpose.
The most advantageous arrangement for bringing the grain in contact with the
steam consists in causing the same to pass down a vertical or inclined channel of
suitable construction in which it is made during its fall to pass through an ascending
current of steam issuing from a nozzle at the bottom of the channel, and escaping at
the upper end thereof, after having acted upon the grain during its passage.
Below the steam jet may be arranged one or more inlets for hot air which effect

page_text: the drying of the grain before it enters into a receptacle at the lower end of the
channel.
As above described the treatment with steam is applied to the grain according to
its nature either before or after it has been subjected to cleansing by means of
brushes, which according to necessity may constitute the washing by the addition
of water in the apparatus employed for this purpose, such apparatus being also of
peculiar construction. Thus, it may be required to prepare grain which is too dirty
for the simple treatment with steam, and it is then subjected first to a brushing or
washing process; it may also be necessary, after having treated the grain with steam,
and thereby effected its perfect cleansing, to remove germs and other dust. In this
case the grain is subjected to brushing after its passage through the steaming
apparatus. In either case the brushing and washing apparatus therefore constitutes
a complement to the steaming apparatus and must in all cases be included in the
combined arrangement for effecting the cleansing process which is the object of this
invention. As however the brushing and washing apparatus will be employed more
frequently before the steaming apparatus, we will describe the apparatus in this order
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 shews a general
elevation of the entire apparatus, Fig. 2 shews a vertical section of the brushing and
washing apparatus, Fig. 3, a sectional plan of the bottom thereof, Fig. 4 a plan of
the brush surface and Fig. 5 a vertical section of the pneumo-steaming apparatus to
an enlarged scale. The brushing apparatus consists essentially in a combination of
a rotary brush upon a fixed base of marble, these being combined with the necessary
adjuncts for constituting the apparatus for effecting the double process of brushing
and washing. The circular marble bottom plate is fixed horizontally at a suitable
height in a framing of suitable construction. At the centre of the plate S is formed
an opening having a cylindrical lining or box D through which passes the vertical
shaft A on which is fixed the circular rotating brush B. The upper surface of the
marble bottom S is provided with radial grooves of suitable depths widening from
the centre towards the periphery and alternating consequently with corresponding
ribs, as shewn at Fig. 3, and at a suitable distance above this grooved surface is
situated the brush surface B, consisting of either bristles or of metal wire. It may
for facility of construction be composed of separate sections secured in one and the
same plane upon an upper disc P, as indicated at Fig. 4, which disc serves to connect
the brush surface B to the shaft A. To the upper surface of the disc P is fixed a
central boss G of cast iron or sheet metal having the form of an inverted hopper,
the sides of which are connected by a suitable number of arms to a collar M, which
is slid upon the shaft A and fixed thereto by means of keys or setting screws.
grain to be cleansed is introduced through the upper end of the boss G from which
it passes on to the bottom S in falling between the lining D and the sides of the
hopper G. The bottom S and the brush B are of the same diameter. Round the
periphery of the bottom S is formed an annular gutter R of finely perforated zinc
into which passes the grain escaping from between the brush and the bottom plate S.
In this gutter is situated a vertical scraper E which is also perforated and which is
fixed in a suitable manner to the brush B so as to revolve therewith. Or it may be
attached directly to the shaft A or to the hopper G by means of a radial arm.
one or more suitable points of the circumference of the gutter are formed openings
with an area equal to the width of the gutter and which serve as entrances to the
discharge shoots R' for the grain, the bottoms of these shoots being also perforated
and made to converge to a common_centre. Between the discharge shoots R¹ are
arranged beneath the circular gutter R recipients or conduits serving to receive the
material that passes through the perforated bottom of the gutter and similar conduits
are arranged below the perforated bottoms of the discharge conduits R¹. The entire
apparatus is enclosed by a cover C so as to prevent the larger quantity of the dust
resulting from the brushing from being spread about. In order to
remove the
quantity suspended in the air outside the cover C, a suitable suction apparatus may
be provided driven by the shaft A, and situated above the apparatus in the chamber
The
At

page_text: in which it is placed. The cover C has passing through it a feed pipe V₁ for the
grain as also a water supply pipe T both of which open into the hopper G of the
brush. Below the bottom plate S there is fixed on the shaft A the pulley P¹ by
means of which it is driven. In order to enable the brush B to he moved nearer to
or farther from the bottom plate S, the step bearing J for the lower end of the shaft A
can be raised or lowered either by means of a lever L having its fulcrum on the
bed plate of the framing, and connected in any suitable manner at its outer end, such
as by a screw and nut, so that by raising the shaft A the brush is removed from
the bottom plate and on lowering the shaft it is made to approach the same.
The mode of operating with this machine will be readily understood, as also its
efficacious action in consequence of the above described arrangement. The grain
issuing into the hopper G is immediately spread by the brush B upon the bottom
plate S where the grain is turned over and over by the action of the fibres upon the
grooves and ribs of the bottom plate, becoming thereby completely freed from the
germs and other impurities by the time it arrives at the periphery of the bottom plate,
whence it falls into the annular gutter R, from which it is removed by the revolving
scraper E which delivers the grain into the discharge shoot R' leading it to the
pneumo-steaming apparatus or to any other locality.
It will be seen that in order to combine with the brushing process very efficient
washing, it will be sufficient to open the cock on the pipe T; water then enters
simultaneously with the grain, which is brushed and washed simultaneously upon
the bottom plate S. The water flows off through the perforated bottoms of the gutter
and channels and the grain arrives at the steaming apparatus in a perfectly cleansed
condition, which cannot be obtained by any other known means.
As above described, the treatment by steam is effected in a vertical channel V in
which the gain, in descending, meets the steam and hot air ascending. In the
channel V are inserted baffle plates H of lozenge form in the centre and of triangular
form on the sides so as to form zig zag passages for the grain in which it alternately
separates into two and then meets again, thus affording a very perfect contact of all
surfaces of the grain with the steam. The grain is introduced at the upper part of
the channel by a side opening forming the continuation of the discharge shoot R¹ of
the brushing apparatus, while the upper end of the passage itself communicates with
a chimney, through which the steam, hot air and dust escapes after passing the
entrance for the grain. At the lower end of the channel V is provided the steam
jet having a regulating cock and the necessary accessories. The steam jet is provided
with a dispersing rose X situated below the last lozenge shaped baffle plate in the
central axis of the channel, so that the steam will be well distributed in the latter and
that the grain in falling from the channel cannot fall upon the steam nozzle so as to
choke the passages thereof. At a suitable distance below the steain jet are situated
the inlets for heated air N, such inlets being covered with wire gauze in order to
prevent the grain from passing through them. These inlets open into a tubular
passage leading to a reservoir of hot air. As the steam jet produces an upward draft
of some force, the hot air of the stove will be drawn up and will rise with the steam
and effect the drying of the falling grain. Should the upward draft of the channel
not be sufficiently great, the hot air may be compressed in the stove and thus be
made to increase the draft. To the lower end of the channel is attached the sack or
receptacle for the completely purified grain.
As is shewn at Fig. 1 the residues resulting from the cleansing escape from the
upper end of the channel and can be made to pass into the escape funnel for the
dust arranged above the brushing apparatus, thereby forming a simple and compact
arrangement, occupying a very limited space relatively to the quantity of grain which
can be cleansed thereby.
Dated this 6th day of Sentember 1889
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Process and Apparatus for Cleansing and Preparing Grain for
Grinding.
We, FRANCOIS QUENEHEN and ACHILLE VANSTEENKISTE both of No. 7 Allée verte
Brussels, Belgium, Millers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to a process for cleansing and preparing grain, whereby
this is presented to the decorticating and grinding processes in the most advantageous
conditions for these processes, the grain being also brought to a state of purity which
has not been attained heretofore.
The improved process consists essentially in treating the cereals with a current of
steam before or after having subjected them to a brushing operation either in a
dry state, or with simultaneous application of water according to the nature of
the grain to be treated, such treatment being effected in apparatus of peculiar
construction.
The treatment with steam gives extraordinary results, both as regards cleansing,
disinfection and decortication of the cereals.
As regards the cleansing, the passage of the grain, even the most incrusted with
impurities through the current or jet of steam has the effect of producing a perfectly
pure article of commerce. Thus in regard to grain that has been grown in colored
soils black or blue, red or greyish, such as those of the Black Sea, the Danube,
Chili &c. this retains more particularly in its crease a dust agglomerated by rain
and heat, which it is absolutely impossible to remove by ordinary means, so that the
grain can only yield flour of inferior quality, whereas by the treatment with steam
these impurities are removed to the last trace thereby raising the quality of such
grain to the level of the best qualities. It is evident that so radical an action upon
the skin of the grain must also disinfect the most damaged kinds in the most perfect
manner so as to transform grain that has entered into fermentation in consequence
of absence of ventilation &c. and which is considered as useless for food into a product
which is perfectly available for grinding and making bread.
The result of fermentation &c. being nothing more than the production of small
fungi which by the above means are removed from the root. As these fungi only
adhere to the cuticle, it is evident that the kernel is not affected thereby, and that
the latter being entirely freed from the putrid germs, are again rendered available
for consumption.
On the other hand it will be seen that so energetic an action upon the outer and
inner cuticles of the grain will not leave the same intact that is to say it will cause
them to swell and will dissociate them from the kernel, so that a slight compression
of the grain will split these and they can then be removed with the greatest facility
the grain in passing through the decorticating machine giving on the one hand
pure grain and on the other hand bran consisting exclusively of split but entire
cuticles.
For obtaining the above described effects the contact of the grain with the steam
should not be of long duration, and the steam employed should be at the lowest
possible temperature so that exhaust steam can very well be used for the purpose.
The most advantageous arrangement for bringing the grain in contact with the steam
consists in causing the same to pass down a vertical or inclined channel of suitable
construction in which it is made during its fall to pass through an ascending current
of steam issuing from a nozzle at the bottom of the channel, and escaping at the
upper end thereof after having acted upon the grain during its passage.
the steam jet may be arranged one or more inlets for hot air which effect the
drying of the grain before it enters into a receptacle at the lower end of the
channel.
Below
As above described the treatment with steam is applied to the grain according

page_text: to its nature either before or after it has been subjected to cleansing by means of
brushes, which according to necessity, may constitute the washing by the addition
of water, in the apparatus employed for this purpose, such apparatus being also of
peculiar construction. Thus, it may be required to prepare grain which is too dirty
for the simple treatment with steam, and it is then subjected first to a brushing or
washing process; it may also be necessary, after having treated the grain with steam
and thereby effected its perfect cleansing, to remove germs and other dust.
In this
case the grain is subjected to brushing after its passage through the steaming apparatus.
In either case the brushing and washing apparatus therefore constitutes a comple-
ment to the steaming apparatus, and must in all cases be included in the combined
arrangement for effecting the cleansing process which is the object of this invention.
As however the brushing and washing apparatus will be employed more frequently
before the steaming apparatus, we will describe the apparatus in this order with
reference to the drawings accompanying my Provisional Specification in which
Fig. 1 shews a general elevation of the entire apparatus, Fig 2 shews a vertical
section of the brushing and washing apparatus. Fig. 3 a sectional plan of the bottom
thereof, Fig. 4 a plan of the brush surface and Fig. 5 a vertical section of the
pneumo-steaming apparatus to an enlarged scale. The brushing apparatus consists
essentially in a combination of a rotary brush upon a fixed base of marble, these
being combined with the necessary adjuncts for constituting the apparatus for
effecting the double process of brushing and washing. The circular marble bottom
plate S is fixed horizontally at a suitable height in a framing of suitable construction.
At the centre of the plate S is formed an opening having a cylindrical lining or
box D through which passes the vertical shaft A on which is fixed the circular
rotating brush B. The upper surface of the marble bottom S is provided with radial
grooves of suitable depths widening from the centre towards the periphery and
alternating consequently with corresponding ribs as shown at Fig. 3, and at a suitable
distance above this grooved surface is situated the brush surface B consisting of either
bristle or of metal wire. It may for facility of construction be composed of separate
sections secured in one and the same plane upon an upper dise P, as indicated
at Fig. 4, which disc serves to connect the brush surface B to the shaft A. To the
upper surface of the disc P is fixed a central boss G of cast iron or sheet metal
having the form of an inverted hopper, the sides of which are connected by a suitable
number of arms to a collar M, which is slid upon the shaft A and fixed thereto by
meaus of keys or setting screws. The grain to be cleansed is introduced through the
upper end of the boss G from which it passes on to the bottom $ in falling between
the lining D, and the sides of the hopper G. The bottom S and the brush B
are of the same diameter. Round the periphery of the bottom S is formed an
annular gutter R of finely perforated zinc into which passes the grain escaping from
between the brush and the bottom plate S. In this gutter is situated a vertical
scraper E which is also perforated and which is fixed in a suitable manner to the
brush B so as to revolve therewith. Or it may be attached directly to the shaft A or
to the hopper G by means of a radial arm. At one or more suitable points of the
circumference of the gutter are formed openings with an area equal to the width
of the gutter and which serve as entrances to the discharge shoots R' for the grain,
the bottoms of these shoots being also perforated and made to converge to a common
centre. Between the discharge shoots R' are arranged beneath the circular gutter R
recipients or conduits serving to receive the material that passes through the
perforated bottom of the gutter and similar conduits are arranged below the perforated
bottoms of the discharge conduits R'. The entire apparatus is enclosed by a cover C
so as to prevent the larger quantity of the dust resulting from the brushing from
being spread about. In order to remove the quantity suspended in the air outside,
the cover C, a suitable suction apparatus may be provided driven by the shaft A,
and situated above the apparatus in the chamber in which it is placed. The cover C
has passing through it a feed pipe V₁ for the grain as also a water supply pipe T both
of which open into the hopper G of the brush. Below the bottom plate S there is
fixed on the shaft A the pulley P' by means of which it is driven. In order to enable

page_text: the brush B to be moved nearer to, or farther from the bottom plate S, the step
bearing J for the lower end of the shaft, A can be raised or lowered either by means
of a lever L baving its fulcrum on the bed plate of the framing and connected in any
suitable manner at its outer end such as by a screw and nut, so that by raising the
shaft A the brush is removed from the bottom plate and on lowering the shaft it is
made to approach the same.
The mode of operating with this machine will be readily understood as also
its efficacious action in consequence of the above described arrangement. The grain
issuing into the hopper G is immediately spread by the brush B upon the bottom
plate S where the grain is turned over and over by the action of the fibres upon the
grooves and ribs of the bottom plate becoming thereby completely freed from their
germs and other impurities by the time it arrives at the periphery of the bottom plate;
whence it falls into the annular gutter R from which it is removed by the revolving
scraper E which delivers the grain into the discharge shoot R' leading it to the
pneumo-steaming apparatus or to any other locality.
It will be seen that in order to combine with the brushing process very efficient.
washing, it will be sufficient to open the cock on the pipe T; water then enters
simultaneously with the grain which is brushed and washed simultaneously upon the
bottom plate S. The water flows off through the perforated bottoms of the gutter and
channels and the grain arrives at the steaming apparatus in a perfectly cleansed con-
dition, which cannot be obtained by any other known means.
As above described, the treatment by steam is effected in a vertical channel V in
which the grain in descending, meets the steam and hot air ascending, In the
channel V are inserted baffle plates H of lozenge form in the centre and of triangular
form on the sides so as to form zig zag passages for the grain in which it alternately
separates into two and then meets again, thus affording a very perfect contact of
all surfaces of the grain with the steam. The grain is introduced at the upper part
of the channel by a side opening forming the continuation of the discharge shoot R¹
of the brushing apparatus, while the upper end of the passage itself communicates
with a chimney through which the steam, hot air, and dust escape after passing the
entrance for the grain. At the lower end of the channel V is provided the steam jet
having a regulating cock and the necessary accessories. The steam jet is provided
with a dispersing rose X situated below the last lozenge shaped baffle plate in the
central axis of the channel, so that the steam will be well distributed in the latter and
that the grain in falling from the channel cannot fall upon the steam nozzle so as to
choke the passages thereof. At a suitable distance below the steam jet are situated
the inlets for heated air N, such inlets being covered with wire gauze in order to
prevent the grain from passing through them. These inlets open into a tubular passage
leading to a reservoir of hot air. As the steam jet produces an upward draught of
some force the hot air of the stove will be drawn up and will rise with the steam,
and effect the drying of the falling grain. Should the upward draught of the channel
not be sufficiently great, the hot air may be compressed in the stove, and thus be
made to increase the draught. To the lower end of the channel is attached the sack
or receptacles for the completely purified grain.
As is shewn at Fig. 1 the residues resulting from the cleansing escape from the
upper end of the channel and can be made to pass into the escape funnel for the dust
arranged, above the brushing apparatus thereby forming a simple and compact
arrangement occupying a very limited space relatively to the quantity of grain which
can be cleansed thereby.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The use for cleansing grain of a current of steam made to act thereon, either
after or before it has been subjected to a brushing or washing operation.
2. In the process of cleansing grain by steam referred to in the preceding claim
the use of a steaming apparatus consisting of a vertical channel V having suitable

page_text: baffle plates H for spreading the grain which in descending in the channel is brought
in contact with an ascending current of steam issuing from the dispersing jet X together
with hot air either at atmospheric or greater pressure entering through inlets N from
a hot air stove the grain after passing in contact with the steam and hot air
being collected in a receptacle at the bottom of the channel substantially as
described.
3. The construction of apparatus for brushing and washing grain preparatory or
subsequently to its treatment with steam, consisting of a fixed bottom plate S
grooved on its upper surface and a disc shaped brush B revolving at any desired
speed upon the plate S, the said brush being vertically adjustable and having a
central hopper G into which the grain and water are introduced a circular trough
or gutter R with perforated bottom being provided at the circumference of the
plate S for the reception of the grain after being acted upon by the brush the water
and dirt being made to escape through the bottom of the gutter while the cleansed
grain is delivered by revolving scrapers E into discharge shoots R₁, leading to where-
ever required substantially as herein described.
Dated this 1th day of Inna 1800
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.