Operating air velocities for fiber separation from corn flour using the Elusieve process

Fiber separation from corn flour could increase ethanol productivity and increase energy value as feed for non-ruminants (swine and poultry). Elusieve process, a combination of sieving and air classification, has been found to be effective in separating fiber. The objectives of this study were to determine the operating air velocities for corn particles and to compare physical properties of corn particles with that of DDGS particles from an earlier study. The operating air velocities for large, medium and small corn size fractions were 2.9–3.8, 2.8–3.0 and 2.5–2.6 m/s, respectively. Densities of nonfiber particles for corn flour were higher than for DDGS (earlier study). Compared to DDGS, the difference between fiber and nonfiber particle terminal velocities was higher for corn, which signifies relative ease of operability for fiber separation from corn flour.

► Operating air velocities for fiber separation from corn were determined.
► Operational range was higher for corn compared to DDGS.
► Better separation for corn was due to higher density of nonfiber particles.
► Density of fiber particles was similar for corn and DDGS.