GB633013A - Improvements in apparatus for the controlled germination of grain during malting - Google Patents

Abstract

633,013. Air conditioning. STEWART, Sir F. C. July 23, 1947, No. 19706. [Class 137] [Also in Groups VI and XXXV] An apparatus for the controlled germination of grain during malting comprises a fan 1, an air conditioner 2, a germinating chamber 8, air circulating ducting 5, 6, 7 including an inlet 81 for fresh air and an outlet 9 for exhaust air each having respectively valves 10, 11 operated by a servo motor 12 under the influence of a thermostat 13 (see Group XXXV), a control device 14 responsive to changes in the proportion of CO 2 present in the system, said device being operative to override the functioning of the valve-controlling thermostat when the rate of intake air is insufficient to maintain efficient germination. A source of heat 3 is arranged in the air stream to the air conditioner or may be in a spray water circuit of the conditioner. Cooling means may also be provided for the spray water. The thermostat may include a differential thermostat of the wet bulb type having-one bulb located in the air circulating system and another bulb located exteriorly of the system. To prevent the germination temperature rising above a preferred level the thermostat acts to open the air inlet valve 10 to allow more fresh air to be drawn in and should the temperaturg fall too low the valves are closed. If the CO 2 content increases too much the control device operates to override the action of the thermostat should this have caused the valves to close to prevent the temperature from falling. Should the outside wet bulb temperature rise so that the fresh air passing through is incapable of absorbing the germination heat, chilled water is introduced via pipe 16, two-way valve 17 and spray pump 15 into the air conditioner. The chilled water supply is controlled by a servo motor 18 operating the valve 17 and to which current is fed directly or through a relay by the closing when the valve 10 is fully open of a switch associated with the servo motor 12. The differential thermostat' 19 having both bulbs of the wet bulb type are 21 being located in the air duct 5 and the other 22 in the outside air operates when the outside wet bulb temperature exceeds the germinating temperature by bringing the servo motor 12 to the position where fresh air is shut off except as demanded by the control device 14. If the atmospheric temperature is low, heat is supplied to the air circulating system and controlled by a switch on the motor 12 which closes when the valve 10 is closed and directly or through a relay feeds current to a servo motor 23 controlling the supply of the heating medium or operating a contacter controlling the electric supply.