World Grain - October 2011 - 80

MILLINGOPERATIONS

Fig. 3 Endosperm values
70.4 % Endosperm

A B 52.3% Endosperm 80.4% Endosperm 88.5% Endosperm 88.8% Endosperm 91.0% Endosperm 90.1% Endosperm 91.7% Endosperm 93.8% Endosperm

1 B C D E F G H I J

C D E F G H

1041 900 750 630 500 425 355 240 132
J

92.5% Endosperm

gap settings for ﬁrst and second break result in nine different 1BK/2BK combinations. The ﬁrst and second break roll gap combination which provided the best recovery of endosperm was 0.022 inch (0.559 mm) for ﬁrst break and 0.010 inch (0.254 mm) for second break. The ﬁrst and second break roll gap combination 0.024/ 0.014 inch (0.610/0.356) roll gap for ﬁrst and second break resulted in the poorest endosperm recovery. The proportion of endosperm per unit of extraction was 0.90 and 0.83 for the optimal and sub-optimal combination, respectively. The endosperm content of the ﬂour released was 100% and 98.8% for the optimal and sub optimal combination, respectively. With the more aggressive combination, the total ﬂour produced was higher. However, as might be expected, the non-endosperm fraction also increased. CONCLUSION Near infrared focal plane array quantitative imaging has potential applications to mill process development and management. It could be further used to enhance understanding of the tempering process along with changes in the grinding process due to roll wear or corrugation selection. Mass balance and control can be obtained by the unit process through screen selection and puriﬁer settings to accomplish the intended goal. The granulation curve is a valuable tool identifying mass balance based on particle size. Its use in stream separation with respect to quality is dependent on the user’s understanding and knowledge of the milling process and the anticipated quality characteristic of the material. The cumulative ash curve tool addresses both the measurable but dubious quality characteristic of ﬂour ash and its presence in the ﬂour as the ﬂour mass is known. Again, user understanding and knowledge of the milling process is critical in its use. The adage of “Grind to Sift and Sift to Grind” is based on the existence of a ﬁxed milling system with a predetermined allocation of grinding, sifting and puriﬁcation capacity and set up. The saying addresses the need to properly tend to the equipment in place and properly manage machine setting and screen selection. The adage also justiﬁes, in part, alternative mill ﬂow designs and adaptations. However; it does not address “optimization.” Near infrared focal plane array quantitative imaging has the power to provide both mass and qualitative information about intermediate processing streams. Its focus is on the material millers strive to recover in their process - endosperm. We need to improve the economic return on asset and wheat by taking an innovative approach to the concept of mill balance and optimization.
Jeff Gwirtz is chief executive officer of JAG Services Inc., a consulting company serving the milling and grain industry. He may be reach at jeff@jagsi.com.

micron screen, statistically there are distinct differences of 38%, 52%, 80% endosperm. For the 80% endosperm image, red pixels start to dominate. Material A (tail over of 1041) go to the third break and has the lowest amount of endosperm. Material (-1041, +355; A-G) are sent to sizings in the experimental mill, but in a commercial mill it could be diverted to puriﬁers 1 and 2 or a ﬁne break. Based on observations and our imaging analysis, one could identify size fraction destination. For example, B could be sent to a 3 BK ﬁne roll. Puriﬁer 1 could process fractions D, E and possibly F since they are similar in endosperm content. Puriﬁer 2 could process slightly smaller, but more pure material could process F and G. Destination of F is dependent on granulation speciﬁcations and purity requirements. Of interest is endosperm connected to the non-endosperm (compound particles). Puriﬁers will aid in the separation of compound particles containing greater proportion of endosperm from those containing predominantly bran. Quantitative near infrared imaging enables high-tech determination of endosperm content. Endosperm content can then be multiplied by the ﬂow rate to obtain the mass balance of endosperm in the process of grinding and separation. From these data, endosperm yield can be determined as a function of particle size. BREAK SETTING STUDY A study utilizing three ﬁrst break settings, and three second break settings with ﬁxed setting of a third break, sizings, and 1 Midds (reduction) was conducted in a single replication to determine if near infrared focal plane array quantitative imaging could detect differences in endosperm released from the primary breaks. First break gap settings were 0.020, 0.022 and 0.024 inches (0.508, 0.559, 0.610 mm). Second break gap settings employed were 0.010, 0.012 and 0.014 inches (0.254, 0.305, 0.356 mm). Third break was set at 0.003 inches (0.076 mm), Sizings gap was 0.005 inches (0.127 mm) and 1 Midds (reduction) was 0.001 inches (0.025 mm). Three different roll
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World Grain - October 2011

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