Improvements in the Methods of Malting and Drying Grain and the like, and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 24th May, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 24th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 20th May, 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Methods of Malting and Drying Grain and the
like, and in Apparatus therefor.
I, JAMES SLEEMAN, of Carlton House, Portishead, in the County of Somerset,
Maltster, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
I construct a metallic vessel preferably of cylindrical form, and capable of
being rotated, and of which the outer walls or shell may be impervious to air,
or not, as desired.
In one form of the apparatus this vessel has at one, or at both ends an inner
diaphragm or partition with a space between that and the outer end shell. This
space I term an end space.
In one form of the apparatus there is an end space at both ends. In another form
at one end only viz. at the end at which air is forced or drawn into the machine.
And in yet another form of the apparatus no end spaces are provided, but
openings are made in the end shells, of the cylinder for the supply and discharge
of air respectively.
In the first case, the air passages, hereinafter referred to, communicate, as to
one half, with the end space at the right hand end and as to the other half, with
the end space at the left hand end.
In the second case one half of the air-passages communicate with the air-inlet
end space only, and as to the other half of the air-passages, they communicate
with openings for the escape of air made through the end shell of the machine.
In the third case one half of the circular air spaces communicate with the
openings made in the right hand end of the cylinder shell, and the other half with
the openings made in the left hand end of the cylinder shell, alternately.
I divide the body of the vessel into compartments or divisions of unequal width.
When the vessel is cylindrical these compartments or divisions are concentric. The
inner partitions are all of perforated metal, or of some material giving free passage
to air. These spaces, divisions, or compartments are alternately spaces for air
passages, and spaces for grain or malt. The wider spaces are for malt, and the
narrower for air passages. The partitions are suitably fixed and stayed in order
that they may bear the weight and pressure of the contents of the grain spaces.
In one form of the apparatus I use longitudinal stays, which are fixed at regular
intervals, the whole length and width of the air passages, and serve a double
purpose:-
1. They stay the internal parts of the machine and keep them firm, and
2. They also divide the circular air passages into sections, longitudinally, and
thus enable the air supply to be regulated according to the varying level of the
growing malt, by the following means i.e. all the passages for the admission of air
which open into the sections of the circular air passages above the level of the
malt spaces, are kept closed, and those passages for the admission of air below the
aforesaid malt level are kept open; hence there is no waste of air, and the whole
of the air currents are, utilized by being compelled to pass through the growing
molt

page_text: The spaces for grain in the body of the vessel do not communicate with the
end spaces.
The air passages in the body of the vessel communicate with the end spaces, but
no air passage is arranged to communicate with both end spaces at the same time.
Every air passage is sealed (either permanently or by covers) as to one end, and open
as to the other end, and these passages are open and sealed as to the two end spaces
alternately, so that one air passage communicates only with the left hand end space,
while the air passing nearest to it communicates only with the right hand end
space. Between every two of such air passages stands a space for grain or malt.
This arrangement applies to all the air passages and to all the malt or grain spaces
in the vessel.
In the outer shell of the vessel, at each end, is a controllable opening,
communicating with the end space for the admission or escape of air.
In the side walls of the malt spaces I make openings with doors or covers. These
covers open and close automatically or are actuated by levers or equivalent devices
from outside the vessel. These doors or covers are so constructed that when
open, they permit communication only between the different malt spaces and do
not permit any communication between the malt spaces and the air passages but
the same covers which open communication between the malt spaces form covered
passages shutting off communication between the malt spaces and the air passages.
Suitable openings with covers are provided for examination of the grain and
for charging and discharging the same to and from the machine.
In another form of the apparatus no end spaces are provided, but the machine
is a plain cylinder with internal cencentric divisions, alternately air passages
and grain spaces as before described and any means other than by an air distributing
end space may be used for the supply of air to the circular air passages through
openings in the shell of the cylinder; all that is necessary is that the air shall be
prevented from passing from the air sections above the level of the malt but shall
be compelled to find its way through the growing malt.
In one form of the apparatus, and as an alternative to the arrangement described
for the control of the air currents, I provide moveable caps or coverings resting
on the top of the grain, and also at the corresponding level in the air passages,
thereby shutting off the space above the grain level at the top of the machine in
order to prevent waste of the air supply, and in order to compel the air to pass
through the malt in the malt spaces.
These caps or coverings may be made to work automatically and to fall into their
places by gravity or they may be actuated by lever's rod's and cog's from outside
the machine.
If desired the shell of the machine may be made air tight and water tight so
that the operations of washing steeping, germinating, and kilning or all or any of
them, may be carried out therein, and also in order that the grain in the meantime
may be isolated from the outer atmosphere, and be supplied only with air of the
desired quality humidity, and temperature.
Suitable valves openings, valve tap's fan's and other usual appliances are
provided for securing efficient working.
The grain is fed into the space's allotted for that purpose, and, when washing and
steeping is desired to be carried out, water is introduced the machine is
rotated for the purpose of agitating and cleansing the grain, the foul water is drawn
off, and clean water admitted for steeping. The aeration of the grain is effected by
air being drawn or forced into the air passage's which connect with the air inlet
end. This air can only escape by passing through the malt and out through the
air passages which have openings in the opposite end of the machine. Thus the
grain or malt is aerated and kept at the desired temperature and the products
of germination are drawn away therefrom.
I
The stirring of the grain is effected by rotating the machine. Each malt space
may either be isolated and hold and complete the working of its own portion of

page_text: malt, or by means of the passage's and coverings before described a flow and
interchange of malt may be made between the several malt spaces.
By the use of my invention I obtain a superior description of malt even
aëration economy of labour, a saving in power fuel space and time and particularly
the germination of the malt can be effected, and control of its temperature and
condition assured without an excessive supply of air, which is especially important
during the withering proces's thu's preventing an undue exhaustion of the grain,
and yielding a malt plumper and sounder, and giving a higher extract than can be
attained by other appliances.
Improvements in the Methods of Malting and Drying Grain and the
like, and in Apparatus therefor.
I, JAMES SLEEMAN, of Carlton House, Portishead, in the County of Somerset,
Maltster, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement: —
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in malting drying and
otherwise treating grain and the like and to construct apparatus therefor in a
new and improved manner, whereby superior results are obtained and economy in
power, fuel, space, time and labour is ensured.
According to my invention I make use of a vessel preferably of a cylindrical
shape the shell of which is impervious or pervious to air and the interior is divided
into a number of compartments whereby the bulk of grain is divided into sections
the divisions or partitions being constructed as supply and exhaust ways alternately,
the connections with the supply and exhaust ways are so arranged that the air or
other fluid is compelled to pass through the grain in order to reach the exhaust,
suitable valves being provided to regulate the flow.
In one form of the apparatus this vessel has at one, or at both ends an inner
diaphragm or partition with a space between that and the outer end shell. This
space I term an end space.
In one form of the apparatus there is an end space at both ends. In another form
at one end only viz. at the end at which air is forced or drawn into the machine.
And in yet another form of the apparatus no end spaces are provided, but openings
are made in the end shells of the cylinder for the supply and discharge of air
respectively.
In the first case the air passages, hereinafter referred to, communicate, as to
one half, with the end space at the right hand end, and as to the other half, with
the end space at the left hand end.
In the second case one half of the air-passages communicate with the air-inlet
and space only, and as to the other half of the air-passages, they communicate with
openings for the escape of air made through the end shell of the machine.
In the third case one half of the circular air spaces communicate with the
openings made in the right hand end of the cylinder shell, and the other half with
the openings made in the left hand end of the cylinder shell alternately.
In the side walls of the malt spaces I make openings and sometimes provide them
with doors or covers. These openings are so constructed that when open, they

page_text: permit communication only between the different malt spaces and do not permit
any communication between the malt spaces and the air passages.
Suitable openings with covers are provided for examination of the grain and
for charging and discharging the same to and from the machine.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascer-
tained reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings in which similar
letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is a transverse section through a cylinder constructed according to my
invention and Fig. 2 is a similar section through the end space. Fig. 3 is a detail
view. , is a cylinder provided with a concentric hollow cylindrical partition d
and a central tube c. The partition is made up of two perforated cylinders
and a central division (not perforated) d', these and the perforated cylinder fixed
to the cylinder shell are stayed internally by webs or stays which serve also to
divide the air or fluid passages into chambers so as to enable certain of them to be
shut off from the supply or exhaust at will. Also an opening e is made in the side
wall to allow the grain to mix together. The central tube is also of perforated
metal or gauze, suitably stayed, having one end closed, each air chamber being
connected with the supply trunk and each other chamber d being connected with
the exhaust trunk. In no case is any one chamber connected with both the
supply and exhaust trunks.
In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, an end space is fitted to one end of the
cylinder, Fig. 2 being a transverse section through such end space. In this figure
a number of inlets fitted with valves are provided connecting the chambers
with the air supply, the end space acting as a reservoir or air supply chamber.
Those valves connecting chambers which are situated above the malt level are
closed during aeration or germination so as to economise the air.
It will therefore be seen that the space between the partitions being filled with
malt or grain the supply can only reach the exhaust by passing through the
grain each section being similarly and simultaneously treated.
Suitable manholes valves and other fittings are provided for charging and dis-
charging the contents for examination purposes and for controlling the supply and
exhaust currents and temperature..
In order to economize the air and to insure it passing through the grain I
provide moveable caps or coverings (Fig. 3) made of india-rubber or other
suitable flexible material or they may be made up of a number of metal sections;
they are sometimes held in position by rods suitably and adjustably secured at their
ends to the shell or partition. As the grain & grows and the bulk expands the
covers are raised to accommodate the expansion, and are removed when washing
or steeping, and when the cylinder is to be rotated.
Although I have described the apparatus as of the form of a cylindrical vessel of
circular section, I do not confine myself to this shape as a square or other poly-
gonal shape may be employed. If the shell is not impervious to air the cylinder is
fitted in an airtight chamber the various connections being made through the walls
of the chamber.
The method of working is as follows:-Water is admitted to the cylinder, and
then the grain to be malted, the air valves having been closed; the cylinder is
rotated whereby the grain is washed and cleansed and the dirty water discharged;
fresh clean water is then admitted (as often as desired) and the grain allowed to
steep or soak. The water is drawn off the air valves opened and germination or
growing is commenced; fresh pure air is forced into and withdrawn from the
cylinder, the air passing completely and evenly through the grain and being with-
drawn in a vitiated state through the exhaust ways and trunk. This aeration is
continued until the grain is sufficiently germinated, when the malt is ready for
kilning. The kilning may be effected in ordinary kilns used for the purpose or it
may be effected in the cylinder. In the latter case, the supply trunk is connected
with a hot air furnace and the hot air forced through and drawn from the malt
in a similar manner to the aerating by fresh air.

page_text: By my improved apparatus and method of malting, I am enabled to obtain the
necessary perfect control over the air currents whereby the germination of the malt
is more easily and perfectly effected than by any other means at present in use.
Also the germinating malt can be kept at the desired temperature without the
necessity of an excessive quantity of air, which is especially important during the
withering process.
Similarly a more even kilning is obtainable the malt being cured without
scorching at a higher temperature than by any other process or means.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In apparatus for malting and otherwise treating grain and the like the com-
bination of a cylindrical vessel capable of being rotated the interior of which is
divided into compartments the partitions being formed hollow with or without
a division wall impervious to air and two gauze or perforated walls; the chambers
formed thereby and those attached to the walls of the cylindrical vessel being so
connected with the supply and exhaust trunks that the air cannot proceed from the
supply to the exhaust except by passing through the grain, substantially as set
forth.
2. In apparatus as aforesaid, the combination with a vessel of suitable shap
interior of which is fitted with a number of hollow partitions constructed as
described and forming compartments for grain, of a supply pipe and air ducts con-
nected with certain of the chambers, a central exhaust tube connected with the
exhaust trunk and also with certain others of the chambers as set forth.
3. In apparatus as aforesaid the combination with a vessel of suitable shape
formed with hollow partitions as described of an end space at the supply end of the
cylinder for the distribution and control of the air to the interior air ways and
valves for regulating the supply and exhaust substantially as set forth.
4. In apparatus as aforesaid the combination with a vessel of suitable shape con-
structed with hollow partitions as described of an end space at both ends of the
vessel one end communicating only with the supply chambers and the other end only
with the exhaust chambers, the supply and exhaust being regulated by suitable
valves substantially as set forth.
5. The combination with apparatus constructed and arranged as described and
claimed of caps or covers arranged to be placed or secured at the top of the malt or
grain substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
6. In apparatus as aforesaid the combination with a vessel or receptacle capable
of rotation and provided with partitions as described, the shell of which vessel is
not impervious to air or other fluid, of an air-tight chamber enclosing said vessel
or receptacle and means for connecting the supply and exhaust ways with their
respective trunks, substantially as set forth.
7. The improved method of and apparatus for malting and drying grain and
the like, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
Dated 24th March 1899
GEORGE DOWNING & SONS,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.