GB1110001A - Improvements in or relating to malting processes - Google Patents

Abstract

A continuous process of malting cereal grains comprises continuously passing the grains through <PICT:1110001/C6-C7/1> <PICT:1110001/C6-C7/2> <PICT:1110001/C6-C7/3> the water in a succession of steeping baths 5, 15, Fig. 1, under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity to form green grains, continuously passing the water from each bath into the succeeding bath and draining the water from the last steeping bath, continuously passing the green grains from the last steeping bath to a conveyer 32 to move the green grains continuously through a germinating apparatus 31, continuously passing the grains from the germinating apparatus to a conveyer 32 in a kiln 40, continuously passing the grains in succession through a series (e.g. three or five) of compartments 41, 42, 43 in the kiln, and continuously discharging the malted grains from the kiln. The temperature in successive kiln compartments is increased (e.g. 70 DEG , 130 DEG and 200 DEG F.) as by the use of radiators, without the introduction of air from outside, and the final compartment may provide for cooling. Cylindrical resting bins (75, 80, 83, 88 and 93), Fig. 4, (not shown) may be interposed between some of the steeping baths. The grains may be oxygenated in both the steeping baths and the resting bins. The grain is slowly advanced through the steeping bath 5 by a worm 52, Fig. 3, and is turned over half way along by buckets 54. Similar buckets 54 discharge the steeped grain into the conduit 25. The conveyer employed in germinating and kilning the steeped grain, which is described and claimed in Specification 1,109,752, is formed of trays 101, Fig. 5, consisting essentially of a series of spaced laminar polypropylene members. The trays are mounted on chain conveyers off-centre whereby the trays tip to discharge their contents (as shown) when wooden rubbing blocks fitted on the trays are no longer held by the supports 134 and 136, and they turn over completely during their rotation around each of the sprockets 132 and 133. By the action of a tined board (165), Fig. 6, (not shown) the heap of barley discharged off the upper run is smoothed for transit along the lower run. Sealing strips at the leading and trailing ends of each tray prevent the grain from falling between adjacent trays.