Performance evaluation of a laboratory scale steep battery for corn wet milling
A laboratory-scale steep battery was designed and fabricated to serve as a research tool for simulating the continuous counter-current steeping process in corn wet milling plants. The main objective of the study was to generate baseline information on the performance of the steep battery. Steep water profiles of pH, total acidity, SOz concentration, and solids content, stability of pump flow rates, and milling yields of steeped corn were used to evaluate the performance and stability of the battery. Results were compared with industry data from published literature. Profiles of pH, total acidity, and solids content were similar in appearance to actual plant profiles; however, significant differences in levels were observed due to differences in a variety of operating parameters such as incoming solids and lactic acid levels, battery length, and draw rate. Better comparisons could be achieved if the evaluation could be carried out using the same corn, process water, and battery settings of an actual wet mill. Continuous steeping was difficult to maintain due to unpredictable breakdowns of pumps and water level sensors. Constant observation and daily maintenance checks were needed to maintain the system in a continuous mode of operation. Mean tank temperature was 45.0°C with a standard deviation of 1.8°C. Mean pump flow rate was 4.5 mL/sec with a standard deviation of 0.5 mL/sec. Stability of temperature and flow rates may be improved if heating and pumping systems were redesigned. An operating manual was compiled for future user's reference which contained descriptions of the system’s components, operating procedures, and repair and maintenance procedures.
Performance Evaluation, Laboratory Scale, Steep Battery, Corn Wet Milling, Agricultural Engineering
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
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