An investigation of the mechanics of cereal flaking
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate a number of aspects of the cereal flaking process. Little has been written about this commercially important process. Included in the objectives of this work were the prediction of the effect of pellet shape, size and feed rate and roll size and speed of the shape of the flakes produced and the power and forces required, the effect of these operating variables on the formation of multiple flakes (a determinant of system capacity), and the effect of operating variables on the physicochemical properties of the flakes produced. These objectives were met by a combination of a number of computer simulations of the process and experimental production of flakes in a commercial pilot plant. The simulations at least qualitatively predict the effect of the important processing variables on flake shape, power, forces, and the formation of multiple flakes. The models and data also indicate that the process is extremely noisy, exhibiting somewhat unpredictable behavior. It is believed that the deviances between the models and operating data is a consequence of errors in determination of pellet rheology, the models' assumption of a constant temperature process, and the models' inability to describe extensional and viscoelastic flows that are clearly occurring. The data collected shows that the flaking process has a significant effect of the physicochemical properties of the flakes produced.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Okos, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Agricultural engineering
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