Corn is one of the most important
cereal of the world that is consumed both by humans and cattles. After
harvesting, corn is processed by various machines resulting in the
production of diversified product out of it. The machine can processed
corn into flour, grits, chips, corn flakes, etc. Corn is normally
processed in two ways :
- Wet corn processing system
- Dry corn processing system
Simmering, soaking, grinding, washing, sheeting are some of the
steps of dry corn processing. Soaking process is carried out after
simmering. After soaking, washing and sheeting is done.
Soaking operation
Simmering and soaking is an integral part of the dry corn processing
system. Under simmering process corn is heated up to a temperature which
is below boiling point. Soaking is carried out in a soaking tank where
the hulls are loosened and the corn with the desired moisture content
and texture for milling is produced.
Corn is transferred to the soaking tank from the simmering kettle
through transfer pipes. A corn is flushed from the tank by water spray
as it is being pumped to the soak tanks. Flushing water is controlled by
a timer in the simmer or soak control panel. Simmered corn is pumped out
by stainless steel tube from the receiver tank to the soak tanks. After
the soaking is completed, the corn is transferred to the washer through
steel header. Header and soak tanks are attached with each other through
flexible tubes.
