EXTRACTOR WITH SCREEN WASHING SYSTEM

• US 20150336035A1
• Filed: 05/20/2015
• Published: 11/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crown Iron Works Company (CPM Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Crown Iron Works Company (CPM Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Floan, Benjamin Wayne, Anderson, George E.
• Granted Patent: US 10,441,905 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 11/023 using moving bands, trays fixed on moving transport chains
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 33/0158 self-supporting
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 33/50 with backwash arms, shoes or nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 33/72 for feeding
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/20 Arrangements of several outlets along elongated bodies, e.g. perforated pipes or troughs, e.g. spray booms spray booms for agricultural uses A01M7/0071; spray bars for treating roads E01C19/176; Outlet elements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B07B 1/55 with fluid jets
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/02 Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays

Abstract

An extractor can be used to extract solvent-soluble molecules, such as aqueous or organic-soluble molecules, from solid material feedstock for downstream processing and recovery. In one configuration, the extractor is a percolation extractor having one or more extraction chambers each containing a screen supporting the solid materials as it is conveyed through the chamber, a fluid supply system delivering extraction fluid disposed above the solid material, and a fluid recovery system disposed below the solid materials for receiving the extraction fluid and solvent-soluble molecules contained therein. The extractor further includes a screen washing system disposed under the screen and supported against movement. The screen washing system includes a washing fluid intake and a plurality of outlet nozzles directed upward towards the screen. The screen washing system can keep the screen from plugging during operation, improving the extraction efficiency of the extractor.

Claims

1. An extractor comprising:

an extraction chamber;

a conveyance system to convey solid materials through the extraction chamber in a direction of material travel;

a screen to support the solid materials as they are conveyed by the conveyance system, the screen supported by a screen frame;

a fluid supply system disposed above the solid materials and configured to apply a fluid to the solid materials;

a fluid removal system disposed below the solid materials and configured for removing the fluid after it has passed through the solid materials and the screen; and

a screen washing system disposed under the screen and supported against movement in the direction of material travel, the screen washing system including a washing fluid intake and a plurality of outlet nozzles directed upward towards the screen.

2. The extractor of claim 1, wherein the fluid applied to the solid materials includes a mixture of an alcohol and water, or a hydrocarbon.

3. The extractor of claim 2, wherein the washing fluid is a same fluid as the fluid applied to the solid materials.

4. The extractor of claim 1, wherein the washing system includes at least one washing fluid delivery pipe having a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the direction of material travel within the extraction chamber.

5. The extractor of claim 1, wherein the washing system includes at least one washing fluid delivery pipe in fluid communication with the washing fluid intake and the plurality of outlet nozzles.

6. The extractor of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of outlet nozzles is positioned such that a washing fluid spray fan from the nozzle is aligned with a slot in the screen.

7. The extractor of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of outlet nozzles has a washing fluid spray fan of about 30 to about 65 degrees.

8. The extractor of claim 1, wherein the plurality of outlet nozzles are placed about 10 inches to about 30 inches from the bottom of the screen.

9. The extractor of claim 1, wherein the screen washing system is configured to oscillate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of material travel within the extraction chamber.

10. The extractor of claim 9, wherein the screen washing system is configured to oscillate a distance of about 18 inches.

11. The extractor of claim 9, wherein the screen washing system is configured to move at a rate of about 48 inches per minute.

12. The extractor of claim 9, further including a drive mechanism to drive the oscillation of the washing system frame.

13. The extractor of claim 12, wherein the drive system includes a drive shaft, rotor, and connector to connect the drive shaft to a frame of the washing system.

14. The extractor of claim 1, wherein the screen washing system is suspended from the screen frame.

15. The extractor of claim 14, wherein the screen washing system includes a frame pivotably connected to the screen frame.

16. The extractor of claim 15, wherein the washing system includes a link bar having a first end pivotably connected to the screen frame and a second end pivotably connected to a washing frame beam, the washing frame beam being connected to a cross-member, and a washing fluid delivery pipe connected to the cross-member.

17. The extractor of claim 1, wherein the screen frame supports the screen from the underside of the screen.

18. The extractor of claim 1, wherein the screen includes a plurality of longitudinal members having a longitudinal axis aligned with the direction of material travel, further including a gap between adjacent longitudinal members.

19. The extractor of claim 1, wherein the screen includes a plurality of longitudinal members and a plurality of stiffener members attached underneath the plurality of longitudinal members, the plurality of longitudinal members having a longitudinal axis aligned with the direction of material travel, and the plurality of stiffener members having a longitudinal axis aligned perpendicular with the direction of material travel.

20. The extractor of claim 1, further including a washing system control system with an input device, memory, and a processor in signal communication with one or more flow control valves operably connected to the fluid supply system, a washing fluid intake, and/or the fluid removal system.

21. The extractor of claim 1, wherein the washing fluid intake of the screen washing system comprises a connector configured to rotate after attaching a washing fluid supply hose to the intake using the connector.

22. The extractor of claim 1, further comprising a washing fluid supply inlet extending through a stationary wall surface of the extractor, wherein the washing fluid supply inlet also comprises a connector configured to rotate after attaching the washing fluid supply hose to the washing fluid supply inlet using the connector.