Grain cleaning machine

Types of grain cleaning machines

Grain cleaning machines are vital pieces of equipment in the grain processing industry. They help remove all the unwanted materials like dust, sand, pebbles, straws, weevils, and-much more that can harm the quality of the grain. There are several types of grain cleaning machines used to sort through grain with varying levels of delicacy and efficiency.

• Pre-cleaners

  Grain pre-cleaners like floor sieves and sieving hoppers remove large foreign objects before the grain goes through further refined cleaning procedures. They mainly focus on the rudimentary task of separating oversize objects like potatoes and carrots. While they are an integral part of the grain cleaning machine family, pre-cleaners do not drastically improve the quality of grain cleaning.

• Air classifiers

  Air classifiers are grain cleaning machines that make use of the differences in weight and size among various particles to remove lighter contaminants. Often, weights are added over the grain cleaning machine conveyor belts to delicately drop grain onto the belt from various heights. Once the grain is moving forward on the conveyor belt, air is blasted from below with the help of a fan. Because lighter objects like dust and straw have less weight, they get blown away by the air while heavier objects like grain continue moving forward. The machine's design allows airborne contaminants to be collected in a bag or hopper, separated from the grain, which is further processed.

  Air classifiers are popular choices because they are efficient and straightforward. However, users have to be careful and periodically change the bags as the hoppers can get full fast.

• Screen separation cleaners

  Screen separation cleaners are grain cleaning machines that use screening to separate various objects based on their size. Such machines typically have multiple screens or sieves, which are often shaken, jolted, or rotated to separate unwanted materials like small pebbles, clumps of dirt, dust, etc. The screens can have different mesh sizes, shapes, and configurations depending on the kind of grain the cleaning machine was made for.

  Wet grain screeners often use water to improve cleaning efficiency. While they still use the sieving method, screens separate contaminated grain from the rest with the help of water. The process involves putting dirty grain through a grain cleaning machine pipeline where water is then sprayed onto the grain. The contaminated grain is then separated when friction and sieve action occur. The clean, now-scrubbed grain is then allowed to pass through while the dirty water is removed from the system.

  Like other grain cleaning machines, including air classifiers, screen separation cleaners are more efficient than pre-cleaners. However, they also require more maintenance as screens and sieves get clogged from all the dust and dirt that go through them.

• Magnetic separators

  While many grain cleaning machines focus on size and weight to separate contaminants, magnetic separators use magnetism. As the name suggests, these grain cleaning machines employ magnets to attract and remove ferrous contaminants like nails, nuts, and bolts. The magnet is generally located in a grain pipe or conveyor belt where it catches any ferrous contaminants. Once they are attracted, they are removed manually or automatically with the help of a scraper.

  Magnetic separators are very low-maintenance options for grain cleaning machines. They are mostly automatic, and users only have to remove the contaminants now and then.

Grain cleaning machine specifications and maintenance

Several specifications describe the performance features of a grain cleaning device.

• Flow rate

  The flow rate refers to the volume of grain that passes through the machine per unit time. It is usually expressed in tons per hour (TPH) and can range from 1 TPH to 50 TPH depending on the machine's size, design, and capacity.

• Screen area

  The total area of the screening surfaces in a grain cleaning machine. It is usually measured in square meters (m2). The screen area determines the total surface available for filtering unwanted particles from the grain. It can range from 1 m2 to more than 25 m2, depending on the capacity and design of the machine.

• Number of screens

  Grain cleaning machines have multiple screening decks. Each deck comes with meshes of different sizes which are used to classify grains and separate impurities. The number of screens in a grain cleaner can vary from 2 to 12, depending on the design and function of the machine.

• Fan power

  The fan power in a grain cleaning device is the electrical power used to operate the fans. These fans blow air through the grains to remove light impurities such as dust, leaves, and insect parts. The fan power is usually measured in kilowatts (kW) and can range from 2 kW to 15 kW, depending on the capacity of the machine and the cleaning requirements.

• Overall dimensions

  Overall dimensions refer to the height, length, and width of the grain cleaning device. Due to its large size, cleaning capacity, and the need to install it in grain processing facilities, this equipment often occupies a significant amount of space. Its dimensions are crucial for planning the assembly and location of the machinery in the facility, as well as for considering the logistics of transportation.

To keep a grain cleaning machine running well, it needs constant care. Every day, operators should look for loose parts, signs of wear, and things stuck in the machine. Belts, chains, and screens should be cleaned of grain dust and leftovers. Filters need to be unclogged from time to time to allow fresh air into the motor. Lubricating oil must be applied to moving parts while waste needs to be cleared away to prevent overheating and overworking of the cleaner. Periodic in-depth maintenance involves cleaning the entire device, checking fan blades and screen holes, tightening all fasteners, and applying lube to all parts. Parts that are damaged or worn out must be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. If fans have adjustable speeds, they need to be set per the new grain types to be cleaned. The operating manual must be followed for more detailed maintenance routines. With regular maintenance, the grain cleaner can run smoothly for a long time.

Applications of Grain Cleaning Machines

Grain cleaning machines are used in agriculture and food production industries to clean raw grains and improve their quality and market value. Larger farming operations and food production companies often use larger automated cleaning machines, while smaller scale farmers or livestock owners may use smaller manual machines because they have fewer grains to clean.

A grain cleaning machine is the first step in processing dirty grain. It is followed by further processing with a grain milling machine. After being cleaned, the grain can be fed to livestock or sold for human consumption and used as an ingredient in various food products. Uncleaned, contaminated grain can harm human health and lead to financial losses. Cleaning contaminants includes removing debris from the fields, stones, dust, sand, and other foreign material, including spoiled or diseased grain, mold, insects, and chemicals.

Grain cleaning machines can also be used before grain is exported overseas. Many countries require a strict grain inspection process before export, and a grain cleaning machine can help grain pass inspection and fetch a better price in the international market. Cleaning procedures are required before rice, wheat, corn, barley, oats, pulses, beans, millet, sorghum, and other crops can be exported. Using a grain cleaning machine before export can eliminate the need for costly fumigation and storage procedures used to rid grain of insects and other contaminants.

In addition to being used in the agriculture and food industry, grain cleaning machines are used by:

• Food manufacturing companies that produce flour, rice products, bakery items, pasta, and other food products.
• Breweries that use oat and barley as their primary ingredients.
• Farming cooperatives that clean grain for their members.
• Airports and other security facilities that wish to eliminate any possibility of terrorist threat containment, such as sequential chemical or biological outbreak involving potential harvests like millet, sorghum, etc., which may have been infected.

Grain cleaning machines are a cost-effective solution for the above industries' efforts to improve grain quality, maximize yields, eliminate the risk of loss and avoid financial penalties.

How to choose grain cleaning machines

When buying grain cleaning equipment for sale, it is essential to consider consumer needs. Usually, buyers will look for a machine that can perform various functions, such as the ability to clean, separate, and de-dust various types of grains. Additionally, it would help to invest in a machine with excellent output capacity and efficiency.

Further, customers will prefer a machine that consumes less power and has low operating costs. It would help if buyers also considered machines that are easy to operate, set up, and maintain. In most cases, buyers will look for cleaning machines with established post-purchase support systems. In this case, it would help to buy machines with easy-to-obtain replacement parts and readily available technical support.

As noted earlier, grain cleaning machines come in various types and sizes. Therefore, it is important to consider the space requirements of potential customers. When buying specific types or models of grain cleaners, it is important to familiarize oneself with the specifications of the machines. Some may have advanced technological features, while others have more traditional or basic settings.

It would also help to choose a machine that complies with specific local regulations and industry standards. Such machines foster smooth business operations by eliminating the bureaucratic frustration of regulatory compliance. Finally, when buying grain cleaning machines for retail, it is crucial to consider the supply chain. Choose a reputable supplier who can ensure timely delivery and a smooth importation process.

Grain Cleaning Machine FAQ

Q1. What is the difference between grain cleaning and grain milling?

A1. Grain cleaning refers to the removal of all contaminants and unwanted material from the grain before it is processed. Grain milling refers to the process of converting whole grain into flour or meal.

Q2. What are the main steps in grain cleaning?

A2. The main steps in grain cleaning are pre-cleaning, fine cleaning, chemical treatment, and fumigation and storage.

Q3. Which grains typically require extensive cleaning before being processed?

A3. Rice, wheat, barley, oats, corn, rye, millet, and pulses such as lentils and beans.

Q4. What are the main types of grain cleaning machines?

A4. The main types of machines are air separators, aspirators, drum sieves, magnetic separators, gravity separators, destoners, and washers.

Q5. Do grain cleaning machines eliminate mycot toxins?

A5. Grain cleaning machines can help reduce the content of mycot toxins by removing moulded grains and improving the quality of grain entering the storage facility. However, they cannot completely eliminate mycot toxins.