Analysis of milling characteristics of wheat during long-term storage

This article presents an analysis of the results of studying batches of wheat grain during storage in terms of milling properties. The results showed that single-grade flour with a yield of 70% was consistently produced from wheat at the stages. Wheat of the 3rd class after 6 years of storage can be used for milling purposes.

Effect of Gamma Irradiation and Microwave Energy on Milling Characteristics of Pigeon Pea

Pulse milling industries in India are facing problems of low milling recovery and increased brokens, in spite of using pre-treatments like conditioning with oil, chemicals and enzymes. Experiments were carried out to study the effects of gamma irradiation and microwave energy on milling characteristics of pigeon pea. Conditioned pigeon pea samples at four moisture levels (7, 10, 13, 16 %, w.b.) were pre-treated with four dosage of irradiation (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 kGy) before milling. Gamma irradiation did not improve dehulling efficiency of pigeon pea. Grains at moisture levels of 10, 13, and 16 % (w.b.) were treated with different dosages of microwave. Dehulling efficiency and degree of dehulling was observed to be higher in microwave treated sample, and significantly increased with increasing dosage of microwave energy. Compared to untreated samples, dehulling efficiency and degree of dehulling of treated samples was increased by 18.04 % and 21.65 %, respectively, at microwave dosage of 864 J.g-1 and moisture content of 10 % (d.b.).

Nature instigated Grey wolf algorithm for parametric optimization during machining (Milling) of polymer nanocomposites

The new era of engineering society focuses on the utilization of the potential advantage of carbon nanomaterials. The machinability facets of nanocarbon materials are passing through an initial stage. This article emphasizes the machinability evaluation and optimization of Milling performances, namely Surface roughness (Ra), Cutting force (Fc), and Material removal rate (MRR) using a recently developed Grey wolf optimization algorithm (GWOA). The Taguchi theory-based L27 orthogonal array (OA) was employed for the Machining (Milling) of polymer nanocomposites reinforced by Multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT). The second-order polynomial equation was intended for the analysis of the model. These mathematical models were used as a fitness function in the GWOA to predict machining performances. The ANOVA outcomes efficiently explore the impact of machine parameters on Milling characteristics. The optimal combination for lower surface roughness value is 1.5 MWCNT wt.%, 1500 rpm of spindle speed, 50 mm/min of feed rate, and 3 mm depth of cut. For lower cutting force, 1.0 wt.%, 1500 rpm, 90 mm/min feed rate and 1 mm depth of cut and the maximize MRR was acquired at 0.5 wt.%, 500 rpm, 150 mm/min feed rate and 3 mm depth of cut. The deviation of the predicted value from the experimental value of Ra, Fc, and MRR are found as 2.5, 6.5 and 5.9%, respectively. The convergence plot of all Milling characteristics suggests the application potential of the GWO algorithm for quality improvement in a manufacturing environment.

Impacts of Specific Power of Microwave at 915 MHz Frequency on Drying and Milling Characteristics of Parboiled Rough Rice

HighlightsThis research investigated the feasibility of using a microwave (MW) set at 915 MHz frequency to dry high moisture content (MC) parboiled rough rice at 44.3% MC dry basis (d.b.).The research evaluated the impacts of specific power delivered during the drying of parboiled rough rice using a MW on post-drying milling characteristics.The volumetric heating phenomenon provided by MW offered a method to quickly remove 23.1% points of moisture from parboiled rough rice in one-pass to a MC of 21.2% d.b., with minimal impacts on the kernel quality.The findings suggest that increased MW specific powers have a positive effect on rice MC reduction but negatively affects the rice milling characteristics, especially the head rice yield.The study recommended that MW specific powers exceeding 2.92 kW.[kg-DM]-1 should not be exceeded during drying of parboiled rough rice to preserve the rice milling yields.ABSTRACT. The objectives of this research were to study the impacts of specific power of MW generated at 915 MHz frequency to dry high MC parboiled rough rice on moisture removal and milling characteristics of the parboiled rough rice. Long-grain rough rice of the cultivar (cv.) Mermentau at harvest MC of 31.6% dry basis (d.b.) was parboiled by soaking at 73°C for 3 h and then steamed at 67 kPa for 10 minutes. Following the parboiling process the sample was subjected to the MW drying. The drying was accomplished at MW specific powers that ranged from 1.10 to 8.77 kW. [kg-DM] -1 and 0.37 to 2.92 kW. [kg-DM] -1 (power per unit dry matter mass of the grain). These treatment levels of MW specific power were varied by heating parboiled rough rice for 2 and 6 minutes (min) at MW powers that ranged from 1 to 24 kW. The process of parboiling increased the rough rice MC to 44.3% dry basis (d.b.). During the MW drying, as the specific power increased, the general tendency was for rough rice final moisture content (FMC), milled rice yield (MRY) and head rice yield (HRY) to decrease while the drying rate increased. Parboiled rough rice samples treated with a specific power of 8.77 kW.[kg-DM] -1 while maintaining specific energy input at 0.29 kWh.[kg-DM] -1 had least-square means FMC, drying rate, MRY and HRY of 19.7% d.b. (S.D ± 1.1%), 12.3% d.b. [min-1] (S.D ± 0.8%) (2 min drying duration), 68.18% (S.D ± 1.70%) and 67.51% (S.D ± 0.73%) respectively. However, treatment at a lower specific power of 2.92 kW.[kg-DM] -1 while maintaining the same specific energy input of 0.29 kWh.[kg-DM]-1) resulted in least-square means FMC, drying rate, MRY and HRY of 21.2% d.b. (S.D ± 0.5%), 3.9% d.b. [min-1] (S.D ± 0.1%) (2 min drying duration), 73.22% (S.D ± 0.84%) and 73.21% (S.D ± 0.21%) respectively. The increased drying rates for treatments with higher specific power was associated with higher treatment powers and shorter treatment durations. Higher specific powers negatively impacted the observed MRY and HRY. The findings suggest that increased MW specific powers have a positive effect on rice MC reduction but above a certain threshold of specific power (2.92 kW.[kg-DM]-1) may negatively affect the milling characteristics of the parboiled rice. When used to dry high MC parboiled rough rice, rice processors should know that there exists an optimum drying rate that if exceeded the milled rice quality is negatively affected thus generating an economic loss to the parboiled rice industry. The volumetric heating phenomenon provided by microwave (MW) offers a means to quickly dry high MC parboiled rough rice. This can translate to considerable economic savings for the rice processor who often experiences low drying rates because of limited drying capacity, especially at peak rice harvest times. When drying rates are optimized, rice processors can expect minimal impacts on the kernel quality which can also be translated to considerable economic savings for the rice processor. Keywords: 915 MHz microwave, Microwave drying, Milling Quality, Parboiled rice, Specific power.