Abstract:
This is a method for degumming decorticated plant bast fiber, such as ramie, flax, or hemp bast fiber, to remove pectin-containing material and coloring gums therefrom. The decorticated plant bast fiber is desirably washed with a washing solution containing a surface active agent to penetrate the plant bast fiber and remove water soluble material and other debris therefrom. The washed plant bast fiber is then rinsed. The washed and rinsed plant bast fiber is treated with an aqueous acidic treatment solution of fungal pectinase for a period of time of between 10 and 30 minutes to remove the pectin from the plant fiber. The acidic treatment solution is maintained at an elevated temperature in the range of between 60.degree. C. and 70.degree. C. and has a pH between about 2.0 and 3.5. Thereafter, the plant bast fiber with the pectin removed therefrom, is removed from the acidic treatment solution and a sufficient amount of NaOH is added thereto to increase the pH of the treatment solution to about 11.0. The plant bast fiber with the pectin removed therefrom is then further treated in the basic solution for a period of time between about 15 to 60 minutes to remove the coloring gum adhering to the plant bast fiber. The plant bast fiber with both the pectin and the coloring gum removed therefrom is then rinsed to remove the treating solution therefrom.
Abstract:
Wet milling of starch bearing materials (e.g. corn, potatoes or wheat) wherein water being used in the process is separated by reverse osmosis or ultrafiltration, into two fractions, one fraction (the first fraction) having a lower content of soluble and insoluble matter than the other (second) fraction. The first fraction is then recycled to the washing step of the milling process where it is used to wash the starch. The separation and recycling steps reduce the water requirement of the milling process and also reduce the volume of effluent leaving the process, which needs to be evaporated and/or disposed of.
Abstract:
Starches useful as tablet disintegrants consist essentially of a free-flowing, crosslinked and pregelatinized starch powder having a moisture content of about 12% by weight or less. The starch is characterized by its uniformly swollen, virtually non-birefringent granules, by a swelling value in cold water of above 3 ml. and below 25 ml., and by an acid viscosity breakdown of 400 B.U. or less, all of which are correlated to this disintegration performance. The better starch disintegrants (i.e. the more highly crosslinked) have swelling values of 18 ml. or less and show little or no breakdown (0-150 B.U.). The modified starches may be used in any tabletting method (e.g. direct compression or granulation), typically in amounts of about 10% by weight or less.
Abstract:
Corn is steeped in a process in which corn is continuously added at the top of a cylinder of a height of at least 1.5 to 2.5 times its diameter, water is continuously circulated upward through downflowing corn. This water, comprising a combination of steep water moving with steeped corn together with fresh mill and water containing corn solubles, is continuously withdrawn from the top of the tank. A conical bottom of the tank of specific dimensions aids in the continuous down-flow of corn.
Abstract:
Device for gluten washing including a cylinder of increasing diameter having protruding helical flights. The cylinder presents an outward surface of peaked, elbow-shaped ridges. The cylinder and its helical wings are encompassed by a cylindrical, screen stator and the whole set at an angle above the horizontal in an enclosing tank. The bottom end of the stator is partially open to communicate with a feed hopper while the upper end, along with the cylinder, is subject to spray nozzles. A recirculation system conducts liquid from the bottom to the top of the tank.
Abstract:
1. A PROCESS FOR TREATING A SOLIDS-CONTAINING LIQUID STREAM WHICH COMPRISES: (A) PASSING SAID SOLIDS-CONTAINING LIQUID SERIALLY THROUGH A PLURALITY OF CONCENTRATION ZONES; (B) PASSING A CONCENTRATED SOLIDS-CONTAINING SLURRY TO A SETTING ZONE PROVIDED WITH A REMOVABLE LINER MATERIAL;
(C) DECANTING LIQUID FROM SAID SETTLING ZONE; AND (D) RECOVERING SAID SOLIDS IN SAID REMOVABLE LINER MATERIAL FROM SAID SETTLING ZONE.