Abstract: Processes for selectively comminuting impure psyllium seed husk. These processes comprise milling impure psyllium seed husk in a mill which causes the husk to be fragmented by collision under conditions whereby the mean particle size of the husk material is reduced relatively more than the mean particle size of the non-husk material. In addition, processes for purifying selectively comminuted psyllium seed husk are described.

Abstract: A process for producing corn fiber having a high total dietary fiber content. A dilute aqueous slurry of the corn fiber obtained from the corn wet-millng process is separated by means of a hydroclone to give a fiber fraction of enhanced total dietary fiber content. This fiber fraction may then be passed into a centrifual paddle screen to give a product of even higher total dietary fiber content.

Abstract: A stepwise process for the treatment of wheat as an adjunct to conventional milling is provided which permits recovery of substantial quantities of wheat embryo and scutellum, to thereby increase the yield of premium germ while enhancing the storability of the resultant flour by virtue of removal of the high oil germ fractions. The process involves initial temperating of wheat followed by impact scouring to remove intact embryo; thereupon, the deembryonated wheat is subjected to a second tempering step prior to milling. The break system of the mill is appropriately modified by judicious selection of milling gap so as to permit recovery of intact scutellum, especially from hard red winter wheat.

Abstract: In a method for setting the spacings of grinding rollers (2, 2') in roller frames (1) of a cereal milling plant, the roller frames are in each case followed by a screening system (14), from which a test signal is tapped and supplied to a computer (7), which compares it with a stored desired value and in the case of a variation brings about an automatic adjustment of the spacings of the grinding rollers by means of a control signal and adjusting means (4, 5). The test signal is only derived from the screen reject material (17) or screenings (18) of screening system (14) and is only supplied from certain selected key passages to computer (7). In a cereal milling plant for performing this method, a momentum weight measuring system (24, 29, 30, 31) for the continuous determination of the sifting work is associated with the gyratory sifter or sifters (14).

Abstract: Finely divided almond shell flour is used as an extender in plywood- and laminating-adhesives, alone or in combination with other, different, vegetable shell flours.

Abstract: A process for producing a high total dietary corn fiber. Undried corn fiber obtained from the corn wet-milling process is separated by means of a sifter to give a coarse fiber fraction of enhanced total dietary fiber content. The coarse fiber fraction is then passed through a roller mill to give a product of even higher total dietary fiber content.

Abstract: A gun-target apparatus and method for producing silicon seed particles from silicon feed particles comprising accelerating silicon feed particles from a container and propelling them into a silicon target in a target chamber. The target is movable within said chamber so that a different portion of the silicon target is exposed to the oncoming seeds. The seeds are accumulated in a receiver and separated from silicon dust and larger feed particles.

Abstract: Cotton burrs and other trash from a cotton gin are processed by first passing them over a small screen to remove sand and other fine material. Thereafter, the burrs and other trash are ground in a hammer mill. After grinding, the material passed along a large screen having about 3/8" opening. Substantially all the burrs and trash will pass through the screen except for cotton lint which will not. The burrs and trash, without the lint, is then sized by screening through screens with successively smaller openings. The burrs and trash of any one size is further separated by air classification. The resulting product is a combination of three geometric shapes, fibers, flakes, and granules. The resulting product is a lignocellulose product having softwood lignin precursors.

Abstract: A method for chopping olives comprises feeding olives into an abrading zone in a pulper having at least one rotatable brush which clears a screen extending around the periphery of the abrading zone. The brush is rotated to abrade the olive meat between the brush, the screen, and the pits from the olives. The product passing through the screen is collected and has a uniform character and is essentially pit free. The pit caps are separated from the olive pits by this process and shredded through the screen.

Abstract: In a method for identifying one or more botanical component parts from plants, a sample of the component parts is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation within the visible and/or ultra-violet and/or X-ray range for excitation of the component parts to fluorescence which is analyzed for determining characteristic fluorescence from the component parts. For determining the relative contents of the component parts in the sample, intensity measurements are carried out on the characteristic fluorescences or the number of emitters of characteristic fluorescence is counted.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing grain to provide meal, grit, flour and masa products suitable for human consumption and by-products suitable for use as animal feed and industrial products. The methods includes forming a slurry of the grain with water and processing the slurry through dehusking, germ detaching, grinding and sifting stages while maintaining the grain at a relatively high moisture content. Partially different methods are employed depending on whether the processed grain is sorghum, wheat or corn. The processing apparatus includes a dehusking unit having a plurality of pump stages to remove the husks from the grain kernels without cracking a substantial portion of the kernels. A fluidized bed dryer is utilized to remove excess water and to surface dry the kernels and husks. For sorghum grains a centrifugal impact germ detacher is utilized to break up the dehusked kernel and separate the germ and oil from the endosperm.

Abstract: A process for the separation of dehulled oats into fractions differing in composition is disclosed. The process comprises admixing comminuted dehulled oats with a solvent for oat oil and separating the admixture into at least two fractions, the solid components of which differ in composition. The comminuted oats used in the process are oats that have been comminuted by passing dehulled oats between at least one pair of rollers spaced apart at a distance of not more than 0.75 mm. Preferably at least one pair of rollers is spaced apart at a distance of 0.025-0.25 mm. The rollers may be smooth-surfaced or rough-surfaced rollers. The process is useful in the separation of a variety of products e.g. endosperm, bran and oil, from oats.

Abstract: Process for producing a clean pentosan-enriched pericarp from mixed fibre obtained from the hydroprocessing of corn. The mixed fibre is dried to a moisture content of from about 42% to about 60% by weight and abraded so as to obtain a clean pentosan-enriched pericarp fraction and a fines fraction. A feed product may be obtained with further processing.

Abstract: A method for processing grain 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 the germ and oil from the endosperm. The broken kernel pieces are then milled to produce flour.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for separating mature okra seed into its essential basic components of oil, germ, kernel material and hull. The separation is obtained by cracking the seed in, or immersing previously cracked seed in a liquid medium having a specific gravity of 1.3 plus or minus 0.2 at 60.degree. F. The liquid medium may be an aqueous solution adjusted with sodium chloride, sugar, or other water soluble organic material. However, in order to extract the oil, a solvent such as 1,1,1,-trichloroethane or a blend of trichlorotrifluoroethane and hexane is suitable. The liquid medium will separate the cracked components because of the differences in density of the various components. The hulls will sink in the liquid, and the germ and kernel floats or remains suspended in the liquid. The germ and kernel is then decanted from the hulls, the oil and liquid solvent is separated from the solids by a filter and the oil is extracted from the liquid solvent.

Abstract: A process for fractionating the whole wheat kernel into its bran, germ and endosperm components includes the steps of tempering the wheat kernel in water, pin milling the wheat kernel, sifting the milled kernal to separate the germ and bran components from the endosperm, hydrating and agitating the endosperm to just saturate it and to form a thick, dough-like mass and mechanically working, by kneading, cutting and stretching, the dough-like mass while continuously washing it with water to separate the non-gluten endosperm components from the gluten. The bran and germ components can be separated from each other by conventional gravity table techniques.