Changes in consumer needs call for adjustments to the associated production processes. But finding the most suitable solution is not always immediately possible.
The specialists from the Buhler Extrusion business unit have substantially streamlined the previous process for making Multigrain Flakes and improved its cost.
In close co-operation with customers, Buhler Extrusion business unit have now found a way of substantially streamlining the grain precooking process. Instead of applying a drum precooker, an existing Buhler preconditioner was modified and integrated in the Multigrain process.
In the conditioner, the grains are not precooked in batches, but continuously. This allows direct and continuous feed of the material to the final mixing stage inside the extruder. It takes only a few minutes for the material to pass through the machine, which is much less time than required by batch cooking.
Moreover, the precooking process can be interrupted and modified whenever necessary. And finally, conditioning is done with a lower moisture content, reducing the energy requirement for drying.
The entire precooking process is integrated in the fully automatic overall production process. This eliminates the need for separate operator attendance and reduces the associated costs. Together with the lower capital investment – a conditioner costs about half as much as a batch cooker – and the drastically reduced process costs, the new Buhler Multigrain process cuts costs significantly.
Bühler AG is based in Uzwil, Switzerland. www.buhlergroup.com
