Process for precooking grains and an equipment for precooking grains

Abstract

A process of precooking grains is described, which comprises the steps of: a) Charging the grains into a reactor ( 4 ) in a controlled manner; b) Applying a first negative pressure to the reactor ( 4 ); c) Heating the grains contained in the reactor ( 4 ); d) Applying a second negative pressure to the reactor ( 4 ); and e) Cooling the grains. An equipment for precooking grains is also described, which comprises at least one reactor ( 4 ), which is associable with means ( 9 ) for applying negative pressure.

1 .- 25 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         26 . A method of precooking grains comprising the steps of: 
 charging the grains into a reactor in a controlled manner;    applying a first negative pressure to the reactor;    heating the grains contained in the reactor;    applying a second negative pressure to the reactor; and    cooling the grains.    
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein during the step of applying the first negative pressure to the reactor the internal pressure of the latter ranges from about an absolute pressure of 6 mmHg to about a relative pressure of 4 Kg/cm2.  
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein air is evacuated from inside the reactor during applying of the first negative pressure.  
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein, in the step of heating the grains contained in the reactor, a direct injection of vapor onto the grains and an indirect heating takes place, the dry saturated vapor passing through a sleeve that transfers heat to the grains.  
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the temperature ranges from 100° C. to 125° C. at the end of the step of heating the grains.  
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 26 , further comprising a cooking step before applying the second negative pressure.  
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein the temperature ranges from about 100° C. to 125° C. and the pressure ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 Kg/cm2 during the cooking step.  
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the pressure inside the container is about negative 0.9 Kg/cm2 in the step of applying the second negative pressure.  
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein in the step of applying the second negative pressure, the temperature ranges between 60° C. and 150° C., and the humidity of the grains ranges between 12 and 12.5%.  
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein during the step of applying the second negative pressure, a lyophilization process occurs, which comprises evaporating water from the grains.  
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein the lyophilization process consumes heat from the grains and reduces mycotoxins by about 99% and pesticides by about 75-99%.  
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 26  wherein the cooling occurs partially in the reactor and partially in a cooler subsequently.  
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the cooling takes place in the reactor.  
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein the internal pressure of the reactor is negative and is about 0.9 Kg/cm2 during the cooling step.  
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 39 , wherein the temperature is within a maximum limit of about 70° C. and a minimum of about 10° C. during the cooling step.  
     
     
         41 . An apparatus for precooking grains, comprising at least one reactor wherein the reactor is associable with means for applying negative pressure.  
     
     
         42 . The apparatus according to  claim 41 , further comprising a feeder associated with a dosing means the dosing means being associated with the reactor to enable selectively charging grains into the reactor.  
     
     
         43 . The apparatus according to  claim 41 , wherein the means for applying negative pressure comprises a vacuum pump.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus according to  claim 41 , wherein the means for applying negative pressure corresponds to at least one ejector and one thermocompressor-type ejector.  
     
     
         45 . The apparatus according to  claim 43 , wherein the vacuum pump is associated with a barometric tank and a barometric condenser.  
     
     
         46 . The apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the ejector is associated with a barometric tank and with a barometric condenser.  
     
     
         47 . The apparatus according to  claim 45 , wherein the apparatus comprises an indirect-heating system and a tangential vapor-injection system dipped together with the grains.  
     
     
         48 . The apparatus according to  claim 41 , wherein the reactor comprises homogenizing and substantially inclined flaps, arranged in an internal portion of the reactor.  
     
     
         49 . The apparatus according to claims  41 , further comprising at least one moistener associated with the reactor.  
     
     
         50 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the apparatus is controlled and monitored by an automation system.  
     
     
         51 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein the internal pressure of the reactor is negative and is about 0.9 Kg/cm2 during the cooling step.  
     
     
         52 . The apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the apparatus comprises an indirect-heating system and a tangential vapor-injection system dipped together with the grains.  
     
     
         53 . The apparatus according to claims  48 , further comprising at least one moistener associated with the reactor.