摘要 |
The present invention provides a continuous method of preparing a liquid extract of cereal grain by comminuting cereal grain at a rate of at least 100 kg of dry cereal grain per hour and extracting the comminuted cereal grain with a liquid, said method comprising: continuously combining cereal grain with a liquid; continuously disintegrating the grain particles contained within the liquid by colliding freely suspended grain particles with one or more rotating blades, thereby producing a milled suspension; continuously transferring at least a part of the milled suspension, optionally after further treatment, to a separation device for separation into spent grain and liquid extract; wherein the one or more rotating blades are rotating at a tip speed of at least 10 m/s; the total mechanical energy transferred into the milled suspension by the one or more rotating blades is in the range of 5-1000 kJ per kg of dry cereal grain; and the distance between a tip of said one or more rotating blades and the axis of rotation is in the range of 2-25 cm. The invention also provides a system for comprising a milling apparatus and a separation device suitable for use in the aforementioned method. The present method and system offer several advantages, including savings on capital expenditure and maintenance, short milling times and hygienic design. |