Importance

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Abstract

A system for treating flowable materials wherein an elongated cylindrical housing is provided with an inlet for introducing material to the housing at one end thereof. An inner wall surface is defined by the housing and the temperature of the inner wall surface is controlled for heat exchange between the material and the surface. An outlet for the material is provided at the other end of the housing, and an agitator extends within, and at least partially along the length of, the housing for rotation within the housing. The agitator comprises a plurality of paddles extending from adjacent the axis of rotation of the agitator toward the inner wall surface, the paddles being positioned in spaced apart locations over at least a portion of the length of the inner wall surface whereby rotation of the agitator results in the moving of the material around the inner wall surface and the propelling of the material from the inlet to the outlet. A plurality of nozzles are associated with the agitator, and gas is supplied to the nozzles and directed from the nozzles into contact with the material. This action serves to spread the material over the inner wall surface for thereby maximizing the extent of contact between the material and the surface, and for otherwise maximizing the efficiency of the material treatment.

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First Claim