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Measuring particle sizes and optimizing processes

13 September 20183 min reading
“Constant particle size distribution among flour and semolina particles is an important factor in achieving consistent quality when processing grain products in bakeries or producing pasta. Bühler offers an innovative solution for monitoring the granulation distribution with MYTA PSM (Particle Size Measurement), which can be either installed fixed in a plant or, now, is also available as a portable version.” Untitled-11 Thomas Ziolko Product Manager Milling Solutions Wheat & Rye Bühler AG Whether monitoring relevant grinding passages or end products: Particle size distribution is one of the most important parameters for millers in optimizing their grinding processes and in ensuring constant quality for their end products. For customers, such as bakeries or pasta producers, the defined distribution of particle size is decisive for the success of a reproducible processing of flour or semolina. The particle size distribution of the flour and semolina has a significant influence on the water absorption capacity and the rheological behavior of the dough in the subsequent processing steps. In the ongoing process instead of in the lab Bühler’s Particle Size Measurement (PSM) MYTA provides an alternative to the classic laboratory sifter. It can be used for particle size measurement in the 10 - 5000 μm range either online for continuous monitoring or as a portable unit for a wide variety of measuring positions. The result are reproducible end products with a constant particle distribution. Measuring the granulation: Automatically and in real time For online particle size measurement, a representative amount of product is taken using the integrated sampler and fed to the sensor back-to-back.The continuously calculated measurement results are shown and archived as a trend graph and as a numerical particle size distribution. The measurement system is installed in the gravity spouting. Manual sampling is unnecessary which makes the measuring results representative, constant and also unrelated to the person doing the measuring. Mobile measuring unit The advantage of the mobile PSM (Particle Size Measurement) MYTA is its portability and easy operation. The system can be freely moved to different measuring points in the plant. An external power connection as well as an air connection is sufficient. Operator error is almost impossible. The control unit is an integral component of the system and delivers the granulation distribution within just a few minutes. The software allows an offset to be entered which can be used for a direct comparison to an individual sieve stack in the laboratory sifter. Applications in the grinding process The PSM system MYTA can be used in a variety of grain mills with different applications: • Online flour monitoring: For continuous quality assurance after grinding. • Online monitoring of durum semolina: For continuous monitoring of the semolina granulation after grinding. If there is a granulation shift or deviation from the set point, an alarm sounds. • Online monitoring of grist: For automatic setting of the grinding gap in a roller mill. Optimization over the entire line The PSM (Particle Size Measurement) MYTA helps stabilize the entire grinding process. Problems in the ongoing process can be quickly detected. While the online version also allows automatic correction at a defined measuring point in the ongoing process, the mobile version is suitable as an alternative to the classic lab sifter for different measuring positions. Any deviations from the set point can be responded to immediately. The specification for the particle size is ensured. Thanks to the traceability, transparency is guaranteed. Last but not least, the sensor also optimizes the efficiency of a plant: faulty batches are avoided and the yield in relation to the correct particle size distribution is optimized.
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