| abstract |
In the method, the tobacco is fed to a cylinder driven by a rotating table, which successively moves the cylinder to four process stations. In the second station, the tobacco is compacted by a piston, and in the third batch the tobacco is transferred to a pressure vessel and cooled by passing carbon dioxide gas. The outlet is then closed and the pressure is increased to moisten the batch. Initially, a controlled amount of carbon dioxide condenses in the tobacco during cooling. The pressure is then released and the moistened tobacco is cooled due to the expansion of the gaseous carbon dioxide and the evaporation of the liquid carbon dioxide. In the fourth station, the volume of tobacco is increased by heating. |