Abstract A method for processing grain, e.g. corn, to provide a flour or grit product suitable for human consumption and by-products suitable for use as animal feed and industrial products which includes forming a slurry of the grain with water and passing the slurry through a plurality of pump stages having turbine pumps equipped with turbine pump impellers to remove the husks from the grain kernels without cracking a substantial portion of the kernels. The slurry is then passed through a centrifuge to remove excess water, surface dried and passed through an aspirator to separate the husks from the grain kernels. The dehusked kernels are sent through a centrifugal impact cracker to break up the kernel and separate th germ and oil from the endosperm. The broken kernel pieces are then milled to produce flour.
A method of processing corn to make masa comprising the steps of: mixing water with the corn to form a slurry; pumping the slurry successively through a plurality of pump stages, each stage having a turbine pump and a turbine pump impeller, in each turbine pump, raised to provide sufficient clearance so that the pump will pass the corn as a whole kernel and separate the husks from the kernels without cracking a substantial percentage of the kernels; removing the water from the slurry; surface drying the corn; aspirating the corn to remove the husks from the kernels and; cooking the aspirated kernels.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of processing corn to make masa comprising the steps of: mixing water with the corn to form a slurry; pumping the slurry successively through a plurality of pump stages, each stage having a turbine pump and a turbine pump impeller, in each turbine pump, raised to provide sufficient clearance so that the pump will pass the corn as a whole kernel and separate the husks from the kernels without cracking a substantial percentage of the kernels; removing the water from the slurry; surface drying the corn; aspirating the corn to remove the husks from the kernels and; cooking the aspirated kernels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of pumping the slurry comprises reducing the pressure in the pump stages using a pressure reducing valve disposed between two adjacent stages.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the mixing step comprises mixing about two pounds of water to one pound of grain.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said cooking step comprises steam cooking the aspirated kernels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4 and further comprising wet grinding the cooked kernels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 5 and further comprising drying the ground kernels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the drying step comprises air column drying the ground kernels.