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the recovered grains sent for feed and raise the cost of continuous operation to an unacceptable level. “We also considered screw presses, but smaller units that t our budget and footprint were unavailable. “This narrowed our choices to mechanical sifter-type separators. Kason Corporation manufactures
both circular vibratory and centrifugal screeners, so we provided the company with a 38L sample of stillage for testing on both machine types in its laboratory.” The circular vibratory unit proved unable to handle the 189 L/min infeed rate required to handle the stillage pump capacity, but the centrifugal screener handled the ow rate with capacity to spare.
Opening the hinged end cover of the centrifugal separator allows the paddle assembly and screen cylinder to slide off the cantilevered shaft
Grain solids unable to pass through screen apertures are propelled in a helical pattern through the screen cylinder until being discharged through its open end, into a chute that funnels the dewatered solids into a plastic tote on a pallet below. When a tote is full with about 1,136kg of the damp grain, a pallet truck replaces it with an empty tote. The full totes are stored in a holding area to be picked-up by a farmer. The screener separates 83 to 125L/ min of 40 percent solids (by weight) Lowe says. “For our solids content, the optimal rate is 76 to 95L/min.” Cleaning and maintenance The centrifugal sifter’s end housing can be opened, allowing tool-free
removal of the screen cylinder and paddle assembly from the cantilevered shaft for cleaning. However, operators simply backwash the sifter with water as it runs, cleaning the pipes and the screens at the same time. “It takes two or three minutes and has worked well, eliminating the need to climb a ladder and physically access the machine,” notes Lowe. He says no maintenance has been required, or reliability issues encountered. “We have not opened the door on that thing in six months,” he says.
8 Feathers purchased an MO-SS Centri-Sifter model with a 140 mesh (105 micron) heavy duty reinforced stainless steel screen to provide effec- tive separation and minimise the risk of screen blinding. Installing the sifter Lowe says,“The results were as good as or better than anticipated. The sifter processed a 5678L test sample with 40 percent solids, fed at 151L/min without any degradation of performance. The separated grain was at an acceptable level of dryness for transport. After the test run, the unit was opened to inspect the screen for evidence of blinding, and none was found.” Separating grain from water centrifugally Installed 2.6m above the plant oor, directly over the vat that receives the water, the unit measures 533mm wide, 832mm tall and 1899mm long, includ- ing its 3hp (2.2kW) motor. The water/grain mixture is fed by a lobe pump into the inlet at the upstream end of the centrifugal sifter, where a screw feeds the mixture into the open end of a horizontal screen cylinder. Rotating helical paddles propel the water/grain mixture against the screen, accelerating the passage of water through the screen and against the wall of the chamber which funnels the water by gravity through a 254mm outlet into a 7570L polyethylene vat below. It is further treated with soda ash to adjust pH before nally owing into the public wastewater system.
Kason Europe Ltd. +44 1782 597540 sales@kasoneurope.co.uk www.kason.com
The sifter measures 1899mm in length including the 3hp (2.2kW) motor, and processes 189 litres of stillage per minute
november 2019 I BREWER AND DISTILLER INTERNATIONAL ● 57
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