Optimization of wheat debranning using laboratory equipment for ethanol production

Authors

  • Elizabeth George Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada
  • Bayartoghtok Rentsen Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada
  • Lope G. Tabil Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada
  • Venkatesh Meda Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada

Keywords:

wheat debranning, ethanol production, Satake mill, tangential abrasive dehulling device, grit size, retention time, rotational speed, starch separation efficiency

Abstract

Abstract: Ethanol production from starchy cereal grains is increasing rapidly due to increasing demand for alternative fuels. In Canada, wheat is the primary feedstock in ethanol plants. To improve the productivity of the ethanol plants in terms of product quality and yield, debranning of wheat grains may be employed. Debranning is advantageous in two ways. Firstly, bran removal increases the starch content of the feedstock, improving the fermentation efficiency of the ethanol plants. Secondly, bran, a valuable co-product can be used as an animal feed ingredient. In this study, experiments to optimize the debranning process were carried out using two kinds of abrasive equipment, the Satake and the TADD (tangential abrasive dehulling device) mills. Wheat samples (30 and 200 g) were debranned in the Satake mill at 1 215, 1 412, and 1 515 r/min rotational speeds, 30, 36, and 40 grit sizes, and 30, 60, and 90 s retention times, and in the TADD mill at 900 r/min rotational speed, 30, 36, 50, and 80 grit sizes, and 120, 180, 240, and 300 s retention times. In addition to debranning efficiency, the starch separation efficiencies of the two mills were calculated in different debranning conditions. In the Satake mill, the 30 g and 200 g sample size, 1 412 r/min and 1 515 r/min rotational speeds, all grit sizes, and 60 s of retention time demonstrated the highest debranning efficiency. Correspondingly, optimal results in the TADD mill were obtained with 200 g sample size, 900 r/min rotational speed, 50 and 80 grit sizes, and 180 s and 240 s retention times. However, based on the experimental results, Satake mill provided better debranning values compared to the TADD mill. The starch separation efficiency values supported these results. Keywords: wheat debranning, ethanol production, Satake mill, tangential abrasive dehulling device, grit size, retention time, rotational speed, starch separation efficiency DOI: 10.3965/j.ijabe.20140706.008 Citation: George E, Rentsen B, Tabil L G, Meda V. Optimization of wheat debranning using laboratory equipment for ethanol production. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2014; 7(6): 54-66.

Author Biographies

Elizabeth George, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada

M.Sc. Candidate. Tel: +1-3069665318, Fax: +1-3069665334.

Bayartoghtok Rentsen, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada

Research Assistant, Phone: +1-3069665317. Fax: +1-3069665334.

Lope G. Tabil, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada

Dr. Tabil started at the Department of Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering of the University of Saskatchewan in August 2000. Prior to this position, Dr. Tabil was a Research Engineer with the then Agricultural Value-added Engineering Centre (AVEC) of Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development from October 1997 to July 2000. Prior to joining AVEC, he worked as a Research Associate for over a year at the Department of Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering of the University of Saskatchewan. He worked on an NSERC-funded project on "Alfalfa Cube Quality Characterization". He was also involved in a project evaluating binders in compressed forages. Dr. Tabil's Ph.D. research was on the "Pelleting and Binding Characteristics of Alfalfa". He has expertise in pelleting of feeds and forage and optimizing the process involved in feed and forage processing, physical properties of agricultural materials and postharvest technology of agricultural crops.

The areas of research in which he works and maintains interest include bioprocess engineering, value-added engineering and postharvest handling of crops. He has also conducted applied research and development projects related to value-added processing of agricultural products including storage, drying and cooling, and physical properties of agricultural and biological materials. For the past few years, he has been working in projects dealing with the utilization of flax straw as fibre reinforcement for biocomposites. He is presently working on bioplastic development from pulse starch, postharvest treatment for red lentil milling, and conversion of lignocellulosic waste into bioproducts, and many others. Dr. Tabil continues to work and have interest in projects such as agricultural waste and processing byproduct utilization and the processing of agricultural materials into industrial products.

Venkatesh Meda, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada

Associate Professor, Phone: +1-3069665309. Fax: +1-3069665334.

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Published

2014-12-30

How to Cite

George, E., Rentsen, B., Tabil, L. G., & Meda, V. (2014). Optimization of wheat debranning using laboratory equipment for ethanol production. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 7(6), 54–66. Retrieved from https://ijabe.migration.pkpps03.publicknowledgeproject.org/index.php/ijabe/article/view/645

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 6 (2014): IJABE

Section

Renewable Energy and Material Systems

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