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Title: A Unique Approach to Micronization

Author
item GWIRTZ, JEFF - JAG SERVICES INC
item HOSNEY, CARL - R&R RESEARCH SERVICES INC
item Dowell, Floyd
item HUBBARD, R - PULSEWAVE LLC

Submitted to: International Miller
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2007
Publication Date: 6/1/2007
Citation: Gwirtz, J., Hosney, C.R., Dowell, F.E., Hubbard, R. 2007. A unique approach to micronization. International Miller. 06/07:60-66.

Interpretive Summary: Resonance destruction occurs when the vibration of a certain material exceeds its natural resonance frequency, such as when the Tacoma Narrows Bridge failed in 1940. This research reports the use of this resonance destruction phenomenon to process grain. We used a Pulsewave™ Technology machine with a capacity range of 500-8,000 pounds per hour to reduce wheat grain to flour. The Pulsewave™ Technology has the ability to reduce a very high percentage of clean endosperm into flour in a single pass and thus potentially uses significantly less energy than a conventional mill. This technology causes grain to break into fractions differently than a conventional mill, and thus produces flour with different, possibly superior, quality traits.

Technical Abstract: Resonance destruction occurs when the vibration of a certain material exceeds its natural resonance frequency and is a new technology to be applied to grain processing. We used a Pulsewave™ Technology machine with a capacity range of 500-8,000 pounds per hour. The operational parameters of Pulsewave™ Technology can be adjusted to replace a portion of the primary break system in a mill as well as in the sizings operations. Pulsewave™ Technology has the ability to reduce a very high percentage of clean endosperm into flour in a single pass. This could eliminate reduction passages in the gradual reduction system. Pulsewave™ Technology experiments to remove endosperm from the bran have shown some promise and would replace bran dusters and reduce or eliminate low grade and secondary reduction grinding and sifting operations. With the correct vibrational frequency and speed for each product it might be possible to increase flour extraction from wheat to more closely match the available endosperm. Pulsewave™ Technology processing of tempered wheat causes a separation to occur at the bran-endosperm interface. This should be ideal to separate the material into pure or relatively pure bran and endosperm fractions. Moisture loss is an important issue affecting economics as well as flour performance that will have to be addressed in future work.