Method, Apparatus And System For Transporting, Converting And Unloading Dry Sugar

Abstract

A method, system and apparatus for transporting dry granulated sugar by motor vehicle to a point of use and converting the dry sugar into liquid sugar or sugar solution of the desired Brix scale at such point of use. A semi-trailer transport tank having an improved sparger circulating system for converting dry sugar to liquid form at a desired Brix value while in the transport tank. A system for adding water at a temperature and in a quantity desired, to the dry granulated sugar in a transport tank for recirculating the same in the transport tank to produce liquid sugar of a desired Brix value, and including means for removing and conducting the liquid sugar from the transport tank to a storage tank or processing system.

Description

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in methods of and apparatus and systems for transporting dry sugar to a point of use and converting the dry sugar into solution or liquid sugar while unloading the sugar from the transporting vehicle at the point of use.

It is one object of the invention to provide a new and improved method, apparatus and system for transporting dry sugar from the refinery to a point of use and converting the dry sugar into liquid sugar when unloading the sugar from the transport at the point of use.

An important object of the invention is to provide a new and improved method, apparatus and system for converting sugar in a transport vehicle from dry state to liquid state at a desired Brix value by adding a predetermined quantity of water thereto at a predetermined temperature at the point of use and then unloading the liquid sugar from the vehicle into a storage or processing tank.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved method, apparatus and system for converting sugar from dry crystalline state to liquid state, including means for effecting control of the Brix value or sugar content of the liquid sugar, whereby a desired Brix value may be obtained by the user at the time of converting the dry sugar into liquid sugar while preparing it for unloading.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method, apparatus and system for converting dry crystalline sugar into liquid form, after the dry sugar has been transported to the point of use, whereby the costs of transportation are reduced.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus and system for quickly and economically converting dry sugar into liquid form in a motor transport vehicle trailer transport tank at the point of use, and for completely cleaning the transport vehicle tank of sugar to prevent contamination, or spoilage by bacteria accumulation in the tank, to reduce the dangers inherent in such conditions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved method, apparatus and system for converting dry sugar into liquid form by injecting water into the transport vehicle tank under conditions of flow and temperature which prevent the formation of lumps or blocks of sugar in the tank, and that assure that the dry sugar all enters solution.

A particularly important object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus and system for converting dry sugar into liquid sugar which permits variation in the Brix value of the sugar in solution, effected by varying either the temperature of the water mixed with the dry sugar and circulated in the system and tank or by controlling the volume of water and temperature of the water to produce the desired Brix value in the liquid sugar.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved sparger system for use in a transport tank to expedite the conversion of dry sugar into liquid sugar without formation of solid masses of insoluble sugar in the tank.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a sparger system in a simple form which assures circulation in all directions in the tank without obstructing or restricting flow of the fluids being circulated.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a transport vehicle tank for use in practicing the method in the system of the invention, a flow line structure which provided substantially no restrictions or obstructions to flow of liquid sugar and eliminates trapping areas.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the reading of the following description of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the system used in carrying out the method of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a motor vehicle transport tank trailer for use in the method;

FIG. 3 is an elongate fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the center of the bottom of the tank;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of a portion of the sparger conduit and nozzles used in the tank;

FIG. 5 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view of one of the sparger nozzles and the sparger conduit showing the construction of the same;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the sparger nozzle and conduit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the sparger conduit and inlet conduit to the sparger from exteriorly of the tank;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the sparger conduit showing one of the supports for positioning the same in the tank;

FIG. 9 is a view taken at right angles to FIG. 8 showing the support for the sparger conduit in the tank;

FIG. 10 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken through the transport tank adjacent the tank recirculation outlet and drain manifold;

FIG. 11 is a view taken on the line of 11 -- 11 of FIG. 10 with parts of the conduits broken away;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 10 taken from the opposite side of the circulation conduit and drain conduit of the tank; and,

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the tank and the sparger conduit showing the inlet connection to the sparger conduit in the tank.

In the drawings in FIG. 1 is shown a schematic support system used in connection with a portable transport tank for converting dry crystalling sugar in the tank to liquid form at a point of use, and by means of which the dry sugar is removed from the tank and delivered to a storage tank or processing system in a liquid sugar or dissolved form.

The transport tank T may be of any desired type useable for transporting dry or granulated crystalline sugar from the mill to the point of use. Preferably, the transport tank will be a motor vehicle semi-trailer type transport tank, as shown in FIG. 2 wherein the tank 10 is mounted on a pair of rear trailer wheels 11 having a frame 12 supporting the wheels in the usual manner, and a fifth-wheel pivotal connection 13 at the forward end of the tank provides means for operably connecting the transport tank semi-trailer to a motor vehicle or truck tractor unit V, shown in fragmentary form, having wheels 15 mounted on the frame 14 of the motor vehicle V. The usual ground support 16 and tire carrier 16a are also connected to the underside of the forward position of the tank 10 of the transport tank trailer T. The tank 10 is shown to be of the double conical type with a slope downwardly to the center thereof, having sections joined by seams and supported at spaced longitudinally spaced points by channel type ring stiffeners 17 which are secured to the frame and support or extend completely around the tank in the usual well known manner. As shown in FIG. 2, manways or reclosable openings 18 for filling the tank are provided at longitudinally spaced positions along the upper surface of the tank and form entrances or openings into the tank for cleaning the same or the like, in the usual manner. Grating walkways 19 are secured to the upper surface of the tank between the manways to provide a walkway for operators. In addition, a ladder 20 may be secured to the side of the tank and extend upwardly to the upper central walkway. The motor vehicle transport tank semi-trailer T, therefore, is very similar in construction to the usual transport tank semi-trailer.

Within the transport tank 10 is a sparger system S which comprises an elongate longitudinal conduit or conductor 21 mounted centrally at the bottom of the tank and spaced upwardly therefrom a distance by supporting rods 22 secured, as by welding, at one end of the underside of the sparger conduit 21 and at the other end to the bottom of the tank 10, as clearly shown in FIG. 9. The sparger conduit 21 is closed at its opposite ends by smooth side continuous weld concave caps 23, and an inlet conductor or pipe 24 extends through the bottom wall of the tank 10 and is connected by means of a smooth interior and exterior weld with the sparger conduit or conductor 21. The projecting portion of the liquid inlet conduit 24 outside the tank has a quick-connect coupling 25 on its outer end, and a removable fill cap 26 closes the inlet when the tank is being moved between the refinery and the place of use.

A discharge manifold D includes a pipe 30 which extends smoothly from the bottom of the tank 10 downwardly below the tank and has a butterfly valve 31 connected thereto by quick-connect couplings 32 with smooth interior surfaces. An elbow 33 is connected by the lower coupling 32 to the butterfly valve 31 and is welded to a swage nipple 34 and tee 35 which has one of its arms 36 connected by means of a quick-connect coupling 37 to a second butterfly valve 38 which is also connected by a quick-connect coupling 37 to the lower projecting end of a recirculating withdrawal conduit 40 extending upwardly from the bottom of the tank 10 to a point below the upper surface of the tank 10 where its upper end is bent downwardly in a reverse U-turn or hook 41 to provide a re-circulating entrant opening 42 positioned approximately three-quarters of the diameter of the tank above the bottom. The other arm of the tee 35 has a quick-connect coupling 39 connected thereto and closed by a removable fill cap during transport. The valves 31 and 38 of the discharge manifold provide means for controlling the circulation of fluids from the tank through the outlet 30 and through the re-circulation outlet conduit 40, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

Fluid entering the tank through the sparger inlet conduit 24 and flowing therefrom into the sparger conduit 21 is sprayed or jet-ejected through a plurality of sparger nozzles 45 extending vertically downwardly from the sparger conduit, as shown clearly in FIGS. 5 and 6. The nozzles have their lower ends flattened and flared as at 46 to provide an elongate narrow slot type opening 47 at their outlet ends, which deliver a wide fan-like jet of liquid when fluid is forced or circulated under pressure through the sparger conduit and outwardly through the sparger nipples. At the ends of the sparger conduit 21 end nozzles 48 are connected in the caps 23, and these nozzles are directed at an angle of approximately 60.degree. from the horizontal toward the concave curved surfave 51 between the substantially cylindrical portion of the tank and the dome or concave enclosures 10a thereof, so that the fluid being circulated will be ejected at the point of curvature to assure that there is no striation, or dead space or unmoved material, in the bottom of the tank. The sparger ends nozzles 48 also are flared as at 49 to provide narrow flared openings 50, which direct a flared thin fan-like stream of fluid at the juncture of the tank body and the concave caps 10a. As clearly shown in FIG. 4, the vertically directed spargers 45 extending downwardly from the sparger pipe 21 are each so positioned that the elongate portion of the narrow flared opening 47 extends longitudinally of the bottom of the tank 10, and the nozzles are spaced apart a distance sufficient to assure that the jet of fluid ejected therefrom toward the bottom of the tank will cover the entire interior bottom surface of the tank between adjacent nozzles. Also, since the nozzles are directed vertically downwardly toward the bottom of the tank, the ejected jet of liquid will divide upon striking the bottom of the tank and will flow upwardly along each concave inner side surface of the tank to each side of the sparger conduit in the mid portion of the tank. In contrast, the end nozzles 48 are disposed with the elongate narrow portion of the opening 50 extending transfersely of the longitudinal axis of the tank so that the jet of liquid ejected through the end nozzles is quickly spread widely around the end caps 10a and assures that all materials adjacent the caps is agitated and subjected to the action of the jet of liquid.

The manway openings 18 provide access into the tank for cleaning or inspection when desired. The ground engaging support or trailer support 16 may be extended downwardly in the usual manner to engage the ground and support the front end of the tank semi-trailer T when the motor vehicle tractor V is disconnected therefrom and moved to another point or used for transporting other tanks. The tank semi-trailer when in a stationary position at the point of use is thus supported with the tank 10 on a substantially horizontal position by the support member 16 and the gear wheel trailer section 11, in the usual manner.

All fittings and connections through which any fluid flows are finished smooth and without recesses or traps or settling areas therein, so that no sugar will be trapped in the tank or sparger and circulating and withdrawal manifold systems to spoil therein. The butterfuly valves 31 and 38 and the other fittings and pipes are likewise smooth finish and smooth flow type fittings. The valves have smooth interior finishes so that there is no restriction or turbulence or trapping of fluids at the valves.

When the tank 10 of the transport tank trailer T is conveyed by the tractor or motor vehicle V to the point of use, carrying the dry granulated sugar crystals therein, the tank is set at the proper point for connection into the system shown in FIG. 1. The ground support 16 is lowered to the ground and the tractor or motor vehicle may be disconnected therefrom leaving the tank in place. At this time the tank is connected to the sugar melting and circulation system and storage system shown in FIG. 1.

The sparger inlet conduit or conductor 24 is connected by means of a quick coupler 60 to a flexible hose 61 leading to coupler 62 connected to a circulation input pipe 63 having a valve 64 therein communicating by means of a pipe 65 with one arm of a tee 66 having its stem connected to a valve 67 and its other arm connected by a pipe 65a to a check valve 68 connected to the discharge conduit line 68a of a pump 69 driven by a motor 70. The intake conduit line 71 into the pump is connected by means of quick coupler 72 to one end of a flexible hose 73 which is connected at its other end by a quick coupler 74 to the quick connect nipple 39 from the tee 35 on the discharge manifold D of the tank truck T. The valve 31 is closed and the valve 38 is opened. A water supply conductor 75 is connected to the intake conduit line 71 to the intake of the pump 69 between the coupler 72 and the pump, and a valve 76 connected in said water supply conductor 75 controls the flow of water into the intake of the pump through a meter 77 in a supply line 78 having a valve 78a therein leading from a hot water supply storage tank 80, which is insulated to maintain water contained therein at a high temperature.

Water is supplied to the supply storage tank 80 through a conductor 79 leading from a water heater 81. A check valve 82 is connected in the conductor 79 between the storage tank and heater on the down-stream side of a pump 83 which picks up the water from the heater 81 and pumps it into the tank 80. The pump 83 is driven by a motor 84 in the usual manner. The supply of water for the hot water heater is conducted into the supply storage tank through a conduit 85 leading from a heat exchanger 86 connected by a pipe 87 with a pump 88 connected to a pipe 90 from a source of supply of pure water, and driven by a motor 89. The water from the pipe 90 is forced by the pump 88 through the conduit 87 to the heat exchanger 86 around the pipes 86a and 95 extending therethrough for conducting liquid sugar from the transport tank 10 to a storage tank 97. The water leaving the heat exchanger 86 flows through a conductor 85 past a valve 91 into the conductor or pipe 79 and through that pipe into the tank 80. The check valve 82 prevents the cold water from entering the pump 83 or the heater 81 at this point. The conductor 95 from the heat exchanger 85 to the liquid sugar storage tank 97 has a valve 96 connected in the conductor which closes off flow into the tank until desired. An outlet flow line 98 from the liquid sugar storage tank 97 leads through a valve 99 and a strainer 100 to a pump 101, driven by a motor 102, which pumps the liquid sugar through a pipe 103 past a check valve 104 to the plant process system. The check valve 104 prevents back flow from the system to the storage tank.

When the water tank 80 has been filled with water from the pipe 90 from the source of supply by the pump 88 directing the same through the conductor pipe 87 and the heat exchanger 85 past the valve 91 and through the pipe 79 into the tank, the valve 91 is closed and the cut off valve 78a in the conductor pipe 78 between the water supply storage tank 80 and the water meter 77 is likewise closed. The water from the tank 80 is then drawn through a conductor 110 connected at one end to the water heater 81 and at the other end to the pipe 78 between the valve 78a and the storage tank 80 into the hot water heater 81 past a valve 111 connected in the pipe 78 between the water heater and the storage tank. After the water has been heated in the heater 81 it passes outwardly therefrom through a conductor 112 to the pump 83 from where it is pumped past the check valve 82 into the tank 80. The water is recirculated until it has reached the desired temperature as controlled by a thermostat 115 in the tank which is connected by a conductor 116 to a control 118 for the heat supply of the water heater 81 and by a conductor 117 to the motor 84 driving the pump 83, whereby the thermostat senses the temperature of the water in the storage tank 80 and energizes the controls for the supply of heat to the water heater and power to the pump. Thus, the water in the insulated water supply storage tank is maintained at a desired elevated temperature for use.

In utilizing the apparatus and the support system or converting dry crystalline sugar in the tank to liquid sugar and for transferring the liquid sugar from the tank into storage at the point of use, a predetermined quantity of water at a desired elevated temperature is injected through the sparger system into the transport tank 10 and is circulated in the tank by the pump 69 of the support system until it has been assured by visual check and by a reading of the Brix hydrometer scale to determine the Brix value of the molten or dissolved sugar to be that desired.

In carrying out this process, the first injection of water into the transport tank 10 is at a high rate and at an elevated temperature. A large supply of hot water is stored in the tank 80, by pumping water from the pipe 90 from the source of supply through the pump 88 past the heat exchanger 86 and into the tank. After the tank 80 is filled with water, with the valves 67 and 78a closed, the valve 91 is closed and the valve 111 is opened. The water heater 81 is then energized and water in the heater is raised to an elevated temperature of approximately 200.degree. to 205.degree. F. The entire body of water in the tank 80 is elevated to the desired temperature by recirculating the water from the tank 80 through the hot water heater 81 by means of the water circulation pump 83. The thermostat 115 senses the temperature of the water in the tank and automatically controls activation of the water heater and the circulation pump. When the body of water in the tank has been raised to approximately 200.degree. to 205.degree. F by circulating hot water from the heater therethrough, the valve 111 is closed.

After the tank T has been connected to the system by means of the quick-couplers 60 and 74, with the valves 38 and 31 of the discharge manifold D closed, the valves 78a and 76 are opened, permitting water to be drawn from the tank 80 to the pump 69 from which it is ejected under high pressure at a high rate of flow through the valve 64 and the injection pipe 63 and hose 61 to the sparger inlet 24 and to the horizontal sparger conduit 21 forming a part of the sparger system in the tank 10. The hot water is injected at the rate of at least 265 gallons per minute and at an elevated temperature of from 190.degree. to 200.degree.. The quantity of water to obtain the desired Brix value is known and is metered by the water meter 77. When the desired quantity of water has passed the meter 77, which may be a metering valve, the valves 78a and 76 are closed and the valve 38 is opened, while the valve 31 remains closed as is the valve 67. The predetermined quantity of hot water delivered into the tank 10 through the sparger nozzles 45 and 48 is injected at the elevated temperature and at the high rate which agitates and quickly subjects the entire mass of dry granulated sugar in the tank 10 to contact with the water injected therein through the sparger system. The sparger nozzles spaced along the bottom of the tank in the manner shown in FIG. 3 assure that the entire mass of dry sugar in the tank is quickly subjected to exposure to the hot water simultaneously. When the desired volume of water has been added to the tank, the level of the liquid in the tank is above the inlet 42 to the exhaust or recirculation outlet conductor 40, and the liquid sugar solution in the tank is drawn downwardly through the recirculation conductor 40 past the open valve 38 through the return hose 73 and the pipe 71 to the pump 68, where it is again forced outwardly through the check valve 68 past the valve 64, through the injection pipe 63 and hose 61 to the sparger system S, where it passes upwardly through the sparger riser or inlet 24 to the horizontal sparger conductor 21 and outwardly through the sparger nozzles 45 and 48 into the body of sugar in the tank. The sugar liquor or liquid sugar is again driven through any body of granulated sugar remaining in the tank and the jet of liquid sugar agitates and thoroughly stirs the dry sugar in the tank and again exposes such dry sugar to liquid at an elevated temperature which adduces rapid entry of the dry sugar into solution as liquid sugar. Thus, the dry sugar is converted into liquid form by the water jetted through the sparger system into the tank, and the recirculated sugar assures a uniform solution of the sugar throughout the entire system.

It will thus be seen that, since the liquid sugar is uniformly sprayed throughout the length of the bottom of the transport vehicle tank and leaves the tank through a single central outlet recirculating conduit 40 near the mid-point of the tank, all sugar in the tank is thoroughly agitated, either in liquid form or in dry form, to assure complete conversion of the sugar from dry form to liquid form and to develop a uniform Brix value throughout the tank.

By closing the valve 38 in the recirculating discharge manifold, in addition to the drain valve 31, it is assured that the desired full charge of water has been ejected under pressure at high temperature into the tank to positively subject the body of dry sugar in the tank to contact with the water and initiation of conversion of the dry sugar to the liquid sugar state before the discharge or outlet conduit 40 of the recirculating system is opened. Thus, the sugar is in substantially complete solution before the recirculation is commenced. When recirculation is commenced, all sugar in the tank is agitated until complete solution and uniform concentration of sugar in the liquid form has been obtained.

It is known that for a given volume of dry sugar, a given volume of water at a given elevated temperature will produce a desired sugar concentration in solution, or a desired Brix value. Therefore, a slightly lesser amount of water than is needed to obtain the desired Brix value is injected into the tank through the sparger system before recirculation is commenced. Also, a slightly higher temperature may be used, provided that the temperature is not so high as to cause inversion of the sugar in the liquid form.

After the solution has been circulated until it appears uniform, solution is tested by the Brix refractometer, or hydrometer, and the Brix value determined. Since a smaller amount of water has been used than is known will produce the desired Brix, the reading shows a Brix value which is slightly higher than that desired. After the Brix reading has been taken to determine the Brix value, and, if the Brix value is as expected higher than that desired, the valve 38 is closed and the valves 76 and 78a are opened to admit water through the meter 77 and the pump 69 into the tank through the sparger system in an amount sufficient to produce a proper Brix reading. The valves 76 and 78a are then again closed and the liquid further recirculated through the tank 10 to obtain a uniform sugar solution. When the desired Brix value has been obtained, the valve 64 is closed as is the valve 38, and the valve 31 is then opened along with the valve 67 and the valve 96. The valve 64 being closed, as are valves 76 and 78a and the valve 38, the pump 69 draws the liquid sugar solution from the tank 10 through the discharge hose 73 and pipe 71 and pumps the solution through the valve 67 and the conductor 86a past the heat exchanger 86, and through the conductor 95 and the valve 96 into the liquid sugar storage tank 97.

While the liquid sugar or sugar solution is being withdrawn from the tank 10 and transferred to the liquid sugar storage tank 97, cool water from the source of supply of water is usually pumped from the pipe 90 by the pump 88 and through the pipe 87 into the heat exchanger 86 for cooling the sugar solution to a desired temperature, approximately 80.degree. or ambient temperature of the plant for liquid sugar of 67 Brix value, or a higher temperature for higher Brix values, such as temperature of approximately 125.degree. F for 72 Brix value liquid sugar, and the like. The cooling water passes through the heat exchanger 86 and the conductor 85 past the valve 91 and into the hot water supply storage tank 80 to replenish the water which has been withdrawn therefrom in converting the dry sugar into liquid form. For higher Brix value liquid sugar requiring an elevated temperature to maintain it in liquid form, hot water from the storage tank 80 may be circulated through the heat exchanger 86 by way of a pipe 120 connected to the pipe 78 from the tank, a cut-off valve 121 and a pipe 122 leading to the intake pipe 90b into the pump 88. A cut-off valve 90a cuts off flow from the water supply pipe 90, and the pump 88 forces hot water through the pipe 87 and the heat exchanger 86 and through the pipe 85, valve 91 andpipe 79 back into the storage tank 80. Thus, with the valve 78a closed, the valve 90a closed, and the check valve 82 operative, hot water is circulated from the tank 80 through the heat exchanger 86 and back to the tank 80, for heating the liquid sugar being transferred from the transport tank T to the liquid sugar storage tank 97. When the valve 121 is closed and the valve 90a is opened cool water from the water supply pipe 90 may be circulated through the heat exchanger, as has already been explained. Thus, the liquid sugar may be either heated or cooled as it is transferred from the transport tank T to the liquid sugar storage tank 97, as desired or required.

After all the liquid sugar has been withdrawn from the tank 10, the valves 67 and 96 are closed and water from the water supply storage tank 80 is delivered through the conductor 78 past the valve 78a, the meter 77 and the valve 76 to the conductor pipe 71 and the pump 69, and it is pumped into the tank 10 through the sparger system S to flush and sterilize the tank. For this operation, the drain valve 31 is opened to permit water to drain from the tank and flush any sugar solution remaining in the tank from the tank to prevent crystallization of sugar residue or the formation of bacteria in the tank. The water circulated from the tank may be conducted through a waste line (not shown) connected to the quick coupler connector 39 on the discharge manifold D and sufficient water may be pumped from the water supply storage tank 80 through the pump 69 and the sparger system to assure complete flushing and cleaning of the tank. Also, if desired, additional water or steam may be injected through the manway openings 18 in the top of the tank.

It is also believed readily apparent that a butterfly valve (not shown), similar to the valve 31 on the drain pipe 30 of the discharge manifold, may be connected to the sparger inlet conduit 24 between the coupler connection 26 and the tank for controlling flow through said inlet conduit. Also, a similar valve may be connected between the coupler 60 and the hose 61 to prevent leakage when the coupler is disconnected.

When the tank has been flushed, the quick coupling 74 is disconnected from the quick coupler connection 39 and the quick coupling 60 is disconnected from the lower quick coupler connection 26 on the inlet pipe 24 to the sparger system, and fill caps are replaced on the quick coupler connector members. The valves 38 and 31 are closed and the manway covers are reinstalled, whereupon a motor vehicle tractor unit V may be reengaged with the fifth-wheel connector pin 13, and the vehicle used to transport the semi-trailer tank back to the refinery for receipt of another load of dry sugar and repetition of the process.

In transporting sugar in the dry state, a reduction in weight some 35 percent in the load being carried is effected over the weight of a load of liquid sugar or sugar in solution, since that much weight is added by the water into which the sugar is dissolved. This effects a substantial saving in transportation costs and permits use of highway transport motor vehicles and semi-trailer transport tanks for conveying the dry sugar from the refinery to the place of use. Also, at the point of use, the temperature of the water and the amount of water added to the tank in the first step of injecting hot water in a predetermined quantity into the tank to cause initial conversion of the dry sugar to the liquid state may be controlled and varied to obtain a desired Brix value. If, for example, a 72 Brix value is desired rather than a 67 Brix value, a lesser amount of water is introduced at a high temperature under two hundred degrees for quick conversion of the dry sugar into the liquid sugar or solution form. A lower Brix value would require a larger amount of water, although the temperature would still be between 160.degree. F and 205.degree. F. The lower temperature water introduced into the tank would require a longer period of recirculation and agitation to assure complete conversion of the dry sugar into the liquid sugar form. There is also a possibility that, at the lower temperatures, some lump sugar or undissolved sugar may be produced in the conveyor transport tank. At the higher temperatures, the sugar is converted more readily from dry to liquid state, but here is a danger of inversion of the sugar into an invert state which is undesirable for use of the liquid sugar in certain products, such as those that require a clear sweetener or clear liquid sugar and those in which no discoloration of the sugar and the product can be permitted.

The system of this invention provides for maintaining a controlled temperature of the water injected into the tank for converting the dry sugar into liquid state, and for a controlled volume of water to be introduced, and also provides for rapid and complete recirculation through the transport tank to quickly convert the entire load of sugar into liquid form and produce liquid sugar of a desired Brix value.

It will further be seen that the transport tank is also so designed that it may be quickly and completely flushed and that all connections and circulating control valves and fittings present little or no traps or restrictions to flow for retaining liquid sugar or dry sugar in the tank for crystallization therein, or for spoiling or the growth of bacteria.

After the sugar has been converted from dry to liquid form it is transferred from the tank to the storage tank, from which it is directed to the production line of the user through the conductor line 98, the valve 99, past the strainer 100, and past the check valve 104 into the plant system (not shown) for use.

It will also be seen that the system permits the use of transport tanks T for delivering sugar to more than one place of use or plant and that transport tractor units may be used to transport other semi-trailer assemblies T from the refinery to other points of use while one tank is being converted and emptied into the storage tanks or the processing system at the first mentioned place of use. Thus, one truck tractor unit may haul a number of semi-trailer tank units.

Also, it is possible by use of the system and apparatus of this invention to start a load of dry sugar from the refinery to a plant desiring liquid sugar of a predetermined Brix value, and during such transportation to divert the tank of sugar to another user desiring liquid sugar of a different Brix value, and yet produce at the place of use or the plant of the user liquid sugar of the desired Brix value. Also, it is possible by use of this system to produce liquid sugar of varied Brix values at a single place of use, if desired.

It will also be seen that the sparger system nozzles of this invention perform the same function as a mechanical agitator more efficiently and in a more sanitary and clean manner. Also, the agitation and recirculation provided by this system and the apparatus used therein provides means for accurately controlling the Brix value of the sugar transferred from the transport tank to the storage tank of the user, and assures that all sugar from the tank is converted.

Also, it is believed readily apparent that a single transport system could supply a great number of users of liquid sugar in a more economical manner by use of the semi-trailer transport tanks of the invention, and a support conversion and unloading system of the character illustrated in FIG. 1 at the plant of each user. This conersion system is considerably cheaper than the transportation costs involved in transport of liquid sugar in volume from the refinery to the plant, when added to the higher cost for conversion to liquid form at the refinery before transportation.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, and changes in the details of the constructions illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A system for transporting sugar from a refinery to a place of use comprising: a transport tank for dry crystalline sugar; sparger means in the tank for injecting water into the tank to convert the dry crystalline sugar to liquid form; means for storing a supply of heated water; means for injecting a charge of heated water of predetermined volume into the tank of dry crystalline sugar; means for recirculating the water-sugar solution in the transport tank to thoroughly agitate and dissolve all the sugar into liquid form; and means for withdrawing the liquid sugar from the tank.

2. A system of the character set forth in claim 1 including: means for injecting added quantities of heated water to the liquid sugar solution being recirculated in the transport tank to obtain a desired Brix value before withdrawing the liquid sugar from the tank.

3. A system of the character set forth in claim 1 including: means for heating or cooling the liquid sugar withdrawn from the tank.

4. A system of the character set forth in claim 1 including: means for storing the liquid sugar withdrawn from the tank for use in a plant system.

5. A system of the character set forth in claim 1 including: means for flushing the transport tank after the liquid sugar has been withdrawn therefrom to clean the tank.

6. A system of the character set forth in claim 1 including: motor vehicle semi-trailer ground transport means supporting the transport tank for transporting the same over highways.

7. A transport tank for transporting dry granular sugar from a refinery to a point of use and for converting the sugar therein from dry state to liquid state comprising: an elongate substantially cylindrical tank having a discharge manifold connected thereto and communicating with the interior of the tank; a separate inlet manifold connected to the tank communicating with the interior thereof and including a sparger system having an elongate tubular conductor conduit extending longitudinally of the interior of the tank and spaced above the bottom of the tank a predetermined distance; a plurality of longitudinally spaced sparger nozzles projecting vertically downwardly from the sparger conduit toward the bottom of the tank for directing liquid against the bottom of the tank for deflection upwardly thereby in the tank for agitating the contents of the tank into solution; a circulation withdrawal conductor in the tank communicating with the discharge manifold and with the mid-portion of the tank above the center thereof; valve means in said discharge manifold controlling flow from the tank through the recirculation conductor; valve means controlling withdrawal of fluids from the tank through a discharge conduit communicating directly with the bottom of the tank at the lowest point thereof; and means for supporting the tank and transporting the same from the refinery to the point of use.

8. A transport tank of the character set forth in claim 7 wherein the sparger nozzles comprise cylindrical portions connected to the sparger conduit extending longitudinally of the tank and spaced above the bottom thereof, said sparger nozzles having their lower ends flattened or swaged into a substantially triangular downwardly flared shape to provide flared narrow discharge openings for discharging a thin fan-like jet of liquid therefrom, said sparger nozzles being disposed with the elongate narrow opening of the outlet ends of the sparger nozzles extending longitudinally of the tank; said sparger conduit extending longitudinally of the tank being spaced above the bottom of the tank a distance sufficient to permit the fan-like flared jet of fluid discharged from the nozzles of adjacent nozzles connected thereto to overlap at the point of contact thereof with the bottom of the tank to assure complete agitation of contents of the tank at the bottom and upwardly therefrom in paths in both lateral directions circumferentially of the tank on each side of the sparger conduit.

9. A transport tank of the character set forth in claim 8 wherein end sparger sprays are connected to the ends of the sparger conduit and directed outwardly and downwardly at an angle of approximately 60.degree. from the horizontal longitudinal axis of said conduit toward the point of convergence of the concave end closure members with the cylindrical portion of the tank, said end sparger nozzles having the flared ends thereof disposed transversely of the longitudinal axis of the tank so that the flared fan-like jet of fluid discharged from the sparger nozzle contacts the surface of the bottom of the tank and the end closure substantially along the circular concave surface between said end closure and the tank body to assure complete agitation of the contents of the tank adjacent the end closure.

10. A method of transporting sugar from a refinery to a user which comprises: loading a predetermined body of dry soluble granular sugar into a container; transporting the contents of the container to a point of use in a dry state; injecting a solvent such as water at an elevated temperature and in a predetermined volume into the container to assure solution of the granular material in the solvent; directing the solvent into the lower portion of the container in a plurality of jets overlapping and extending longitudinally of the bottom of the container and impinging the bottom of the container to agitate and dissolve and mix the granular dry material and the solvent in jet paths which spread in substantially equal paths to each side of the longitudinal bottom of the container; recirculating the mixture in the tank to assure agitation of the dry materials and the solution formed to assure complete conversion of the dry sugar into a uniform liquid mixture; then withdrawing the liquid solution from the tank.

11. The method of claim 10 including the additional step of adding additional solvent to the solution to obtain a desired concentration of the dry granular material in the solvent in the liquid form.

12. The method of claim 10 including the step of heating the solvent prior to injection of the same into the body of dry material; measuring the volume of the solvent injected into the body of dry material; measuring the concentration of the solution; and adding additional solvent to the solution to obtain a desired concentration of the solution.

13. A method of the character set forth in claim 12 including the additional step of heating or cooling the mixed solution as it is withdrawn from the container in which it is transported to the point of use to a desired temperature for storage or use.

14. A method of unloading dry granular sugar from a transport tank comprising: introducing streams of water into the transport tank adjacent the bottom of the tank in a plurality of longitudinally flared fan-like jet streams directed perpendicular to the bottom of the tank for dissolving the granular sugar into the water; continuing the introduction of the water into the tank until a desired predetermined volume of water has been added to the sugar to produce substantially a desired Brix value in the sugar solution; discontinuing the introduction of the water into the tank after a predetermined quantity has been injected through the jets; recirculating the liquids in the tank to completely agitate and dissolve all the dry granular sugar in the tank into the solution; and withdrawing the mixed solution from the tank.

15. The method of claim 14 including the step of heating the water injected into the transport tank to a desired elevated temperature prior to injecting the same into the dry sugar in the tank.

16. The method of claim 14 including the additional step of introducing additional water into the tank to produce a solution of sugar having a desired predetermined Brix value and circulating the liquid to produce a uniform solution before withdrawing the solution from the tank.

17. The method of claim 14 including the additional step of introducing additional heated water into the tank to produce a solution of sugar having a desired predetermined Brix value and circulating the liquid to produce a uniform solution before withdrawing the solution from the tank.

18. The method of claim 17 including the additional step of heating or cooling the liquid sugar solution to a desired temperature as it is withdrawn from the transport tank.