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PROCESS DESCRIPTION DIRECT EXPANSION
- In
a mixer-moistener, the raw materials suitable for extrusion are mixed and/ or
brought to the right moisture content.
- Potato
granules or flour can be used in combination with at least 40% maize grits or
rice grits.
- The
moisture content can be 13 - 19%, depending on the type of raw material.
- The
prepared mix is fed into the extruder hopper.
- With
the extruder you produce a half-product with moisture content of 8-13%.
- For
a good shelf life of the product it is necessary that the moisture content is
as low as possible.
- This
means that we have to dry the half-product.
- This
is done in a rotating dryer or a belt dryer.
- From
the dryer, the half-product is transported to the coating drum where the product
is flavoured with an oil-flavour mixture.
- The
oil-flavour mixture is prepared in the small mixing vessel and it flows into the
coating drum by gravity.
- After
flavouring in the coating drum, the product is led to a silo or stored in plastic
bags to enable the aroma to soak in the product.
-
If stored in a silo, the product must be packed within an hour.
- In
plastic bags, if closed, the product can be kept for a longer time.
- The
last operation of the process is packing the product with a packing machine.
- The
transport of the product between the different units goes by means of suitable
convey-systems, depending on the erection of the machines.
- An
extruder plant can be installed vertically as well as horizontally, depending
on the building and the available space.
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