IMPROVEMENTS IN MALTING GRAIN AND IN THE MACHINERY APPARATUS OR MEANS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1884

page_text: I EDWIN POWLEY ALEXANDER of 36 Southampton Buildings in the County of
Middlesex Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents do hereby declare the nature
of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MALTING GRAIN AND IN THE MACHINERY
APPARATUS OR MEANS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN" which invention has been
communicated to me from abroad by Joseph Nicolas Galland of Paris in the
Republic of France Engineer to be as follows:-
"
This invention relates to a peculiar pneumatic process of malting grain as well
as to the combination and arrangement of the apparatus employed therein.
In the transformation of grain into malt it passes through the following seven
successive periods or stages:-
-
1st The steeping of the grain.
2nd The sprouting.
3rd The active germination.
4th The Turning or retardation of germination.
5th The Disaggregation of the germinated grain.
6th The drying of the same.
7th The heating or kiln drying of the dried grain at a more or less elevated
temperature according to the degree of Torrefaction required.
The said improved system or process of pneumatic malting consists generally of
such a combination of apparatus as shall ensure the grain being heated with air in
a condition suitable to each of the above mentioned seven stages of the said
malting process.
The apparatus for supplying the moist air at the required temperature for the
first four stages consists essentially of a coke tower containing two separate
layers of coke or other suitable porous material supported on gratings--The air to
be treated is drawn or driven from below upwards through the coke (kept moist
by a descending shower of cold water) and gives up any dust on traversing the
lower layer of coke and whilst passing through the upper layer in contact with the
[Price G11
!

page_text: water it becomes saturated or moistened and acquires the desired temperature by
exchange of temperature with the water and by the lowering of the temperature
produced by the evaporation of a portion of such water. The air thus filtered
temperated or cooled and humidified passes through suitable conduits to the various
apparatus containing the grain under treatment. The water having descended the
coke tower to the top of which it may be supplied in a filtered or unfiltered
condition by a regulating cock from any convenient source is re-utilized by
being pumped up again from the bottom of the tower but before being again used
its further impuritics are removed by upward or downward filtration either in a
separate filter or in a filter formed at the top of the tower the filter being cleaned
by reverse currents of water when required. The air thus treated passes direct
into the steeping vat formed with a perforated false bottom in which the grain
remains in steep from about 48 to 60 hours when the water is drawn off and the
grain allowed to remain undisturbed for about two or three days. During this time
which constitutes the second period or stage the vat is kept hermetically closed by
a suitable covering and cool moist air is supplied direct from the coke tower
through a conduit and regulating valve and caused to permeate the layer of grain
in the vat from above downwards or from below upwards alternately as desired to
avoid the heating of the grain and to equalize the temperature of the mass.
It
will now be necessary to stir the grain in order to check its growth and prevent
entanglement of the rootlets for which purpose it is discharged into a revolving
drum of peculiar construction. This drum may be of sheet metal revolving on a
horizontal axis supported on antifriction rollers a slow rotating motion being
imparted to it by a worm and worm wheel or otherwise. Covered openings are
provided in the surface of the drum for the introduction and discharge of the
grain. Inside this drum are perforated air distributing passages extending
longitudinally from end to end thereof and attached to its inner surface these air
distributors communicating either through an inner chamber of the drum or
through external tubes with the air supply ducts. In the centre of the drum is
another perforated air distributor all being in communication with an exhaust fan
which (during the 3rd period or stage lasting about 4 days) draws cool moist air
regulated by a valve direct from the coke tower into the drum and through the
mass of grain therein. Radially disposed blades or plates extending the length of
the drum are disposed round the central perforated air distributor to prevent
settlement of the grain. The air may obviously be forced into the drum by any
well known air forcer in lieu of by an exhaust fan.
During the 4th stage namely when the germination is retarded a suitable mixture
of cool moist air and of hot dry air is supplied to the grain in the drum for a
period of about 2 days. The hot air is obtained from a hot air chamber or con-
venient heater and the temperature of the mixture is regulated by valves on the
respective air supply pipes.
During the 5th stage or disaggregation of the grain it is heated by air saturated
with moisture up to a temperature not exceeding 45° to 50° centigrade thereby
producing sacharrification of the feculent matter. For this purpose the air is
supplied to the drum direct from the hot air chamber alone, the saturation of the
air being effected by a jet of steam introduced therein before or at the moment of
entering the drum."
+
The 6th period or stage of the process is accomplished by supplying the grain
with hot dry air at a temperature of about 50° centigrade and when sufficiently
dried the temperature of the air is increased according to the result to be obtained
under the 7th stage.
The air may be heated in any suitable manner but it must be supplied to
the grain at regular temperatures capable of adjustment at will. The heating
apparatus preferred consists of a furnace provided with a lieat storing chamber
filled with bricks or refractory material heated by the passage through the inter-
stices of the products of combustion thus forming a heat accumulator.
products of combustion thence pass-into a-mixing chamber where they mingle
The.

page_text: with the fresh air admitted therein through a regulating door. To render the
mixture more complete it passes through a perforated plate into a second or
distributing chamber whence the supply of heated air for the various apparatus is
drawa. The temperature of the mixture may be regulated by valves or dampers
admitting more or less of the external air into the air conduits and controlling the
amount of hot air passing through them.
The drum may be used alone in the 5th, 6th and 7th stages or it may be used in
combination with a perforated drying floor. In this case the hot air after being
drawn through the grain in the drum enters a closed depositing chamber or germ
arrester wherein is deposited the dust carried over with the air, and the air is then
forced by a fan or equivalent apparatus through a pipe which conveys it above the
surface of the mass of grain on the perforated floor the temperature of the air
being regulated by admitting more or less cold air into the mouth of the said pipe.
If desired hot air may be admitted direct from the mixing chamber before referred
to by a separate pipe and regulator communicating with the pipe which connects
the depositing chamber with the centre or exhaust portion of the fan.
The air having thus traversed the grain in the drum and the grain on the
perforated floor finally escapes through a suitable chimney or air shaft. The
perforated floor may if desired be replaced by a drum. In effecting the 7th stage
of the process by the combination of drum and perforated floor more or less steam
may be injected into the air before it reaches the grain on the drying floor by the
aid of a steam jet pipe. The dried malt descends into the drum and when properly
kilned is discharged from the drum into spouts or hoppers to be finally cleaned or
separated from the germs and rootlets.
EDWIN P. ALEXANDER,
Fel. Inst. P.A.

page_text: في
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
-
I EDWIN POWLEY ALEXANDER of 36 Southampton Buildings in the County of
Middlesex Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents do hereby declare the nature
of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MALTING GRAIN AND IN THE MACHINERY
APPARATUS OR MEANS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN " (Communicated to me from
abroad by Joseph Nicolas Galland of Paris in the Republic of France Engineer)
and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly' described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:
In the
This Invention relates to a peculiar pneumatic process of malting grain as well
as to the combination and arrangement of the apparatus employed therein.
transformation. of grain into malt it passes through the following.seven successive
periods or stages namely
1. The steeping of the grain.
2. The sprouting.
3. The active germination.
4. The turning or retardation of germination.
5. The disaggregation of the germinated grain.
6. The drying of the same.
7. The heating or kiln drying of the dried grain at a more or less elevated
temperature according to the degree of torrefaction required.
The said improved system or process of pneumatic malting consists generally of
such a combination of apparatus as shall ensure the grain being treated with air in
a condition suitable to each of the above mentioned stages of the said malting
process.
Figure 1 of the drawings annexed is a vertical section of the apparatus for
supplying the moist air at the requisite temperature for the first four stages.
The apparatus consists of a coke tower or suitable receptacle of sheet iron masonry
wood or other suitable material containing two separate layers of coke or other
suitable porous material B and C supported on gratings b and c, manholes B', D
and D serving for the introduction withdrawal and arrangement of the coke or
porous substance.
The air to be treated or attemperated is drawn through the coke from below
upwards in a contrary direction to the cold water which descends in the form of a
shower.
The air enters the apparatus by the pipe A placed at its lower part and gives up
any dust to the first layer B and whilst passing through the layer C in contact
with the descending water it becomes saturated and acquires the desired temperature
by exchange of temperature with the water and by the lowering of the temperature
produced by the evaporation of a part of this water.
The air thus filtered cooled and humidified passes to the apparatus containing
the grain by the conduits C2 C³.

page_text: Fresh water is admitted by the cock J into the reservoir E whence it is distri-
buted onto the layer of coke C by means of the perforated pipes El and after having
traversed the layer B it falls into the basin A¹ to which the tube A serves as an
overflow.
When it is desired to cool the air by the lowering only of the temperature
produced by the evaporation of the water the water which has passed through the
coke is taken from the basin A¹ and discharged into the reservoir E by a circulating
pump H.
The cock J is regulated according to circumstances in such manner as to com-
pensate for the loss of water taken up or absorbed by the air or to ensure the
refrigeration according to the quantity of water disposable.
The water which has traversed the coke being more or less impure requires
purifying for which purpose the pump H returns it by the pipe H₁ to the lower
part of a filter G.
This filter consists of à layer G of any suitable filtering material resting on the
grating or perforated plate g. The water to be filtered enters at the lower part
between the grating and the bottom of the filter and after having passed through
the filter from below upwards falls into the cup or basin g¹ supplying the
perforated pipes E¹.
If the fresh water entering by the cock J retains impurities it is drawn off from
the bottom of the filter.
When the filter becomes obstructed or clogged the current of water is reversed
by opening the cock K the deposited water being then carried off by the descending
current of water, and by means of openings n n the bottom of the filter can be
cleansed.
In figure 1 the filter is placed directly above the coke tower but it may be
separated from it.
The apparatus by which the grain is transformed into malt consists of a steeping
vat A and a drum C shown in vertical section taken along the axis of the drum in
figure 2. Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section of the drum.
The steeping vat provided with a flat or other bottom is furnished with a
perforated false bottom a and with cocks for the entrance and exit of the water.
The grain to be malted is introduced into the vat where it is steeped in the
water for from 48 to 60 hours which constitutes the first or steeping stage.
The water having been run off the germs commence to sprout shortly after and
the grain is left undisturbed for two or three days and contrary to usual practice
the vat during this period is covered or closed with a lid or covering of wood or
sheet iron so adjusted as to close it hermetically.
In order to prevent or neutralize the resulting heating of the grain fresh moist
air is supplied to the grain direct from the coke tower by the pipe B the amount
being regulated by the valve b. This air drawn in by the pipe B¹ traverses the
layer or mass of grain from above downwards and passes off to the ventilator or
exhaust apparatus. The apparatus may be arranged in such a manner that the air
shall pass through the grain from below upwards alternately in order to equalize
the temperature of the mass.
After these three days which constitute the second stage in the process the grain
must be stirred to check the growth and entanglement of the rootlets for which
purpose it is dropped into the drum C by opening the plug a².
The improved malting drum consists of a cylinder C of sheet iron placed
horizontally and closed at its two extremities by the iron cover plates c¹ and c².
At a short distance from the end plate c¹ is a vertical partition D having at its
circumference a number of openings d to which correspond conduits E traversing
the cylinder to its extremity c² said conduits being closed at this end and suitably,
perforated along the sides.
•
To the central portion of the partition is fixed a perforated tube F' traversing, the
cylinder longitudinally but open at its end.

page_text: To this tube are fixed several radially disposed iron plates f of a width sufficient
to prevent settling or subsidence of the grain.
Air enters the drum through the end c¹ by means of a tube I fitting into the
box L and its exit is effected by the pipe K forming a prolongation of the tube F
and entering the box M.
The cylinder turns on antifriction rollers G and is driven by any suitable means,
in the drawings the movement is imparted by a worm V gearing into the worm
wheel H. The pipes I and K are so adjusted as to turn freely in the boxes L
and M. The grain is introduced into and removed from the drum through an
opening C3 or by several openings if necessary.
The air which enters the drum at I is dispersed through the chamber N from
whence it passes by the distributing conduits E into the entire mass of grain as
shown by the arrows (figures 2, 3, and 4) towards the central perforated tube F by
which it is drawn in and passes out by the pipe K. The drum may be arranged in
such a manner as to receive the air by the pipe K and allow it to pass out by the
pipe I, also instead of sucking or drawing in the air into the drum it may be forced
therein from either side.
The drum turning in the direction of the arrow (figure 4) the grain takes the
position xy and is turned over in an uniform and continuous manner.
The plates are to prevent the subsidence and to facilitate the turning of the
grain.
During the third stage which lasts about four days the grain receives fresh moist
air direct from the coke tower through the pipe P fitted with a regulating valve p.
During the 4th stage that is to say when the germination is retarded a mixture
of cool and moist air and hot and dry air is admitted to the grain for about two
days, this latter enters by the pipe P₁ from a hot air chamber the proportions of
the mixture being regulated by the valves p and p¹.
To carry out the fifth stage that is to say the complete disaggregation of the
sprouted grain the said grain must be heated with air saturated with water and at
a temperature not exceeding 45° to 50° Cent. which causes saccharification of the
feculent matters contained in the grain to commence.
For this purpose air from a hot air chamber only must be caused to enter the
drum a quantity of steam sufficient to saturate the hot air at the desired
temperature is injected into the chamber N by the small pipe and tap R mounted
on the box L.
If desired the saturated air may be prepared outside the drum.
The sixth, stage is reached by admitting to the grain hot dry air at a
temperature of about 50° Cent. and when the grain is sufficiently dried the
temperature of the air is raised according to the result desired under the seventh
stage.
The air employed in the different stages is conducted along the pipe S to the
exhaust fan or apparatus.
The air of the hot chamber may be prepared in any suitable manner by a steam
heating apparatus or otherwise but it should be admitted to the grain at regular
temperatures capable of regulation as desired.
The heating apparatus employed under the improved system consists of a
furnace A (fig. 3) the products of combustion produced on the grate a passing into
a chamber A filled with bricks or other refractory bodies in sufficient quantity to
form a heat accumulator thence the products of combustion pass into a mixing
chamber D into which the air enters from outside the supply being regulated by
the regulator d. To ensure a more perfect admixture the air passes through a
perforated plate d¹ into a distributing chamber D' whence it passes into the drum
by a pipe E.
.
The temperature of the hot air is regulated by admitting the external air in the
pipe E through the pipe F, the valves e and f serving to regulate the quantity of
each.

page_text: If desired the drum alone may be used for carrying out the 5th, 6th, and 7th
stages or if preferred it may be combined with the floor of a malt kiln.,
Figure 3 shews this latter arrangement.
The drum C receives the hot air by the pipe E at regulated temperatures
according to the indications of the thermometer e¹.
1
Having traversed the grain the air passes into a chamber F which I call the germ
arrester as it retains the germs and dust carried over along with it and terminates
in a ventilator V by the pipe F¹.
,
This air is forced out, through the nozzle V₁ in the pipe V2 which conveys the air
above the drying floor B.
To regulate the temperature the valve or stopper m m is opened more or less
which increases or diminishes the force of the indraught of outer air produced by
the injection of the air from the ventilator through the nozzle V' in the pipe V2
constructed so as to obtain the best effect. A pipe N furnished with a regulating
valve allows hot air to enter by the pipe F¹ directly from the distributing
chamber D of the coke furnace in order to increase the temperature of the drying
air at will.
The air traverses the grain on the drying floor from above downwards and
escapes by the opening H into the chimney I.
If desired the drying floor may be replaced by a drum.
In this combination of drum and drying floor more or less steam is introduced
by the jet pipe M in the pipe V2 according to the degree of saturation desired.
The dried malt falls into the drum by the pipe B¹ and the kilned malt passes out
by the door of the drum into a hopper T to be cleansed or separated from the
germs and rootlets.
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. The mode of re-employing in the coke tower the water which has already
passed through it by the use of a circulating pump or other apparatus conveying
the said water back to the upper part of the tower for the purpose of cooling the
air by the lowering of the temperature produced by the evaporation of a portion of
such water.
2. The preliminary filtration of the water destined for the cooling process in the
coke tower especially that which has already passed through the coke and which
is contaminated by the dust conveyed in the air by any suitable filter and
particularly by a filter acting in an upward direction in such a manner as to be
cleansed by a descending current of water.
3. Conducting the air direct from a coke tower to the steeping vat in order to
protect the grain during the second stage from the surrounding air of the chamber
which is always slightly saturated and at a varying temperature.
4. The herein before described construction of malting drum and especially the
application to the interior thereof of air distributing conduits E of any convenient
section placed longitudinally at its circumference and communicating either by an
interior chamber N or by external pipes corresponding to each distributor with the
two air conduits P and P¹ also the application and use of plates f disposed
longitudinally round the central exhaust tube in order to prevent settlement or
subsidence of the grain in the drum and to facilitate the turning over of the same.
The air may either be exhausted through the conduits E entering in that case by
the central tube For the drum may act by insufflation of air from one side or the
other.
5. The application and use of a drum such as herein before described to and in
the carrying out of the 6th and 7th stages that is to say for the drying and heating
of the fresh malt.
6. The herein before described peculiar construction of heating apparatus and
the application of a beat accumulator to regulating the temperature of the gases
produced by combustion,

page_text: 7. The complete or partial moistening of the heated air by the injection therein
of steam or otherwise in order to heat the fresh malt without drying it to a
temperature of about 50° Cent..and to maintain it at that temperature as long as
may be required in order to effect disaggregation by the commencement of
saccharification either on the floor of the malt kiln or in the aforesaid drum or in
any other suitable drying apparatus.
8. The utilizing of the hot air which, has passed through the heating drum for
drying the fresh malt on a floor or in a separate drum also the various means
herein described for regulating the temperature of such air.
EDWIN P. ALEXANDER,
Fel. Inst. P. A.