Fig. 15 a.
The principal of construction is founded on the fact that each roasting is connected with a loss of weight and it is logical that the same quality of beans always yields the same loss of weight at a certain degree of roasting. On an average cacao yields a loss of 6-7 %. According to this, the loss of weight which can at first be empirically ascertained, for example by a new kind of bean, can be calculated and can be indicated on a regulator, on the principle of the Roman scale. When the beans have lost the weight in question the counterpoise of the regulator raises the axle of the roasting sphere by means of which the working of the whole machine is set in motion.
There is no exception to the rule that only beans of one and the same kind should be roasted and broken up together, as thickness or thinness of the shells determines to a large extent the time required for roasting, and also an even size of bean is necessary to the smooth operation of the breaking machine. The husks of the roasted cacao bean are hygroscopic, and consequently the roasted unshelled beans contain more moisture after having been kept for a time, than they do in the raw state; but the drier the bean is, the easier it shells. The cacao is therefore to be worked up as quickly as possible, or at least kept in well covered metal boxes till further treatment can be proceeded with.
Fig. 15 b.
As sources of heat we find direct and indirect stoking with house coal and coal gas, and besides these, for the installations of larger factories Dowson gas is especially suitable, as it does not involve too high a temperature, and the outlay is not so great as when coal-gas is used.
Fig. 16.
The roasting machine in fig. 16 for Dowson or coal gas belongs to the class of roasters with direct firing. It corresponds to the one diagrammed in Fig. 15 as regards charging and emptying. Here also the front wall of the drum can be removed, and the interior consequently laid completely open. The transmission of gas is effected at an air pressure of one atmosphere, for the attainment of which an air pump is fitted up in the vicinity, capable of feeding four machines at the same time. The drum holds about 150 kilos. It goes without saying that the regulating of the requisite heat is in this instance of the utmost ease and nicety. Another preponderating advantage of this machine as compared with those heated with coke or ordinary coal is its clean operation and the extraordinary speed with which it can be both started and stopped. Form 3-4 cbm. of coal gas are needed for 100 kilos of beans, whilst for Dowson gas, which has not such a high heating value, much larger quantities are required, and consequently a stronger framework becomes necessary, though here no air pumps need be put in operation.
