SIMPLIFIED METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING WHITE FLOUR FROM WHEAT GRAIN

摘要

Apparatus and a method is disclosed for processing wheat to produce white flour by substantially removing the bran layer from the endosperm and germ portions of the wheat grain and grinding the resulting wheat product to a relatively fine state in a roll and classification train that is much simpler than prior milling equipment. Thirteen grinds with intermediate sifting are replaced with one flattening and four grinding stations and three sifts. The initially tempered wheat is passed between spaced, smooth surfaced compression rolls which flatten the wheat grains and then directed between corrugated spiral breaking rolls rotated at different rotational rates with each roll having at least 20 surface corrugations per circumferential inch. The comminuted product is then directed between corrugated spiral grinding rolls rotated at different rotational rates and each having at least 26 corrugations per circumferential inch. After selective classification through mesh sieves, the comminuted wheat is further reduced in size by passage between corrugated spiral reduction rolls having at least about 36 corrugations per circumferential inch which are also rotated at differential rotational rates. The final flour is produced by directing the comminuted product between smooth surfaced finishing rolls rotated at different rates of rotation.