Module 4: Storage, Handling & Transportation Flashcards
What are some advantage of using packing bins instead of packing directly from mill?
“1. Packing can be carried out as day-time activity, reducing labour costs.
2. Flour can be stored more hygienically
3. Less warehouse space needed, packing based on JIT
4. White and brown flour can be packed on separate lines, reducing risks of bran specks”
What is the minimum diameter of a bin?
1.5 meters
What should be taken into account when designing packing bins?
“1. Bin Diameter - to prevent ““bridging”” of material
2. Wall surfaces - Smooth to facilitate discharge
3. Access to bin - for cleaning and maintenance
4. Bin height - prevent excess pressure on hopper (especially when using fluidised dischargers) “
What are the three types of dischargers from bin?
“1. Fluidised dischargers - using aeration to allow material to flow like liquid
2. Mechanical dischargers - agitation of product at hopper outlet and convey material to discarge point
3. Vibrating dischargers - Usage of a vibrating cone to keep products moving”
What are the purpose of exhausts in storage bins?
“1. Pneumatic conveying causes air displacement from the bins.
2. If air displaced from bins and air used for conveying are not exhausted correctly, the bin will become over-pressurised.
3. This leads to escape of dust, conveying problems and risk of explosion”
Describe the two types of exhausts for bins.
“1. Central exhaust
2. Individual bin exhaust “
What are the considerations when planning for bin access?
“1. Avoid entry into confined spaces whenever possible
2. If entry is necessaray, safe system of work must be developed.
3. Always used PTW
4. Ensure adequate procedures for rescue and communication are documented, communicated and tested.
5. Ensure all people involved in confined spaces work are competent and trained. “
How can bin contents be monitored?
“1. Capacitance (Continuous level indicator)
2. Mechanical (Bin dipping devices)
3. Ultrasonic (use of sound waves)
4. Bulk bin mounted on load cells “
What are the challenges of storing bran and wheatfeed?
- Outer bran layer which has high moisture may enter a bin without being mixed with dryer wheat fractions, this cause layering which blocks bin outlets, or might stick to the sides of the bins/
What are some methods to overcome challenges of bran and wheatfeed storage?
“1. Installation and proper usage of bin activators.
2. Utilising a continuous turnover system.
3. Pelleting wheatfeed. “
Why is blending important in flour?
“1. Evens out inconsistencies from milling process.
2. Individual wheat varieties can be milled then bleneded to suit the specification of finished flour
3. Out-of-spec flour can be brought into specification by blending with another flour.
4. Allows varied characteristics & ““Custom-made”” flour tailored to customer specs
5. Consistent flour protein and finished product”
Describe the main components of a batch blending system
“1. Weighers - Ensure accurate proportioning of ingredients.
2. Mixers and homogenizers - e.g., mechanical mixer, airmix unit & homogenizer.
3. Base flour bins
4. tubular screws - for feeding base flour to the scale hopper
5. Post-mixer hopper with discharge elements
6. Magnet, sifter and exhaust filter
7. Microdosing scales for additives.
8. Batch control computer “
Describe the purpose of magnets and how they should be monitored.
“1. To remove ferrous materials and act as protection & indication of machine damage.
2. Check and clean at regular intervals, monitor Gauss value at regular intervals.
3. Conduct investigation and corrective action if ferrous material found. “
What is the purpose of a redresser?
- Installed in the packing process to remove non-cereal and cereal related foreign matter larger than sieve.
What are the two parts of a flour weighing scale?
“1. Feed arrangement (two speed screw feeder, double screw feeder)
2. Weigher/Scale (mechanical system, electronic load cell system, differential dosing scales) “
