Harvested grain is usually fairly clean. Usually being the operative word, as this is dependent on a number of critical factors, many of which are difficult to control:
- Using the correct settings and capacity at which the grain is harvested
- Ensuring that the grain is dry when harvested
- No heat damage taking place and kernels not being broken during the harvesting process
In addition, it is important to note that the quality of grain begins to deteriorate as soon as it has been harvested. It is imperative that dirt and impurities are removed as soon as possible to delay the deterioration process and ensure that the stored grain is of a high quality for end users. In order to ensure that the quality of the harvested grain is optimised before it goes into storage, it is therefore highly recommended that the grain is passed through a grain cleaner and/or pre-cleaner.
Pre-cleaning grain before storage plays two vital roles:
- Adding value to the grain through the removal of dirt, impurities and damaged particles.
- Ensuring a longer life of the grain whilst it is in storage.
The importance of cleaning grain before storage is important for a few reasons. Foreign matter also referred to as fines (any dirt or particles smaller than the grain) can collect in areas inside the storage silo. These pockets of fines can cause hot spots inside the silo, which has a negative impact on the aeration of the grain. This can also result in moisture collecting in these areas, which can cause rot, mold and other damage to the grain.
The additional impurities also take up valuable storage space inside the silo – an unnecessary cost that can be avoided if the grain has been cleaned before being taken into storage. The impurities can also contain harmful or poisonous seeds or particles which can cause further damage, negatively affecting the quality of the grain.
Clean grain is of a higher quality and therefore fetches a better price than grain that is full of impurities. Even if a grain producer does not have their own storage facilities, clean grain will bring a higher return on investment for the producer. Grain that is rejected by a buyer or co-op usually results in the costs of cleaning and re-submitting to be carried by the seller, costs which can ultimately be avoided.
Grain cleaners are the first and most important piece of equipment used to clean any type of grain, seed or beans. When analysing all of the elements that can have an impact on grain quality, it makes good business sense for a grain producer to seriously consider procuring their own grain cleaner. It is estimated that the cost of a grain cleaner can generally be recouped over two to three seasons, making it a viable purchase, even for smaller grain producers.
Innovation in the field of grain cleaning
Facet Engineering have been industry leaders in the field of grain handling and cleaning for more than 30 years. We have developed a range of conveyors and grain cleaners that can process grain at capacities of as high as 120 tonnes per hour.
Our range of grain cleaners includes four models, all locally manufactured in South Africa in our state-of-the-art workshop facility. All these models can be used to clean a variety of different grains, either for pre-cleaning or fine cleaning. This is achieved by virtue of the ability to change the settings on the machines as well as fitting different screen sizes on the removable screens.
These easily-operated machines work on the tried and tested principle of vibrating screens and air extraction to separate the grain from impurities. These impurities include anything larger than the grain such as sticks (also known as overs), and anything smaller than the grain like broken kernels or sand, as well as anything lighter than the grain such as husks and dirt (also known as fines).
All the models can be supplied with an optional air extraction fan, galvanised ducting and receiving cyclone for the collection and recovery of all of the light impurities.
Facet Engineering also offers other machines for the cleaning, separating and sizing of grain, seed and cereals. These include:
Destoners – used to separate and remove stones which are of a similar size to the seed or grain kernel. This machine works on the principle of separating by specific density or weight of the particles.
Gravity tables – another machine in the range which separates grain into different fractions based on specific densities. This machine is ideal for the removal of kernels which are rotten inside or eaten away.
Electronic colour sorters – highly specialised machines designed to separate or grade products such as seed, grain, beans and nuts, by virtue of their colour differences which can be configured/calibrated using pre-programmed colour parameters.
Facet Engineering’s process engineering division works extensively in the Agri-food sector, offering solutions for storage, conveying, cleaning, separating, grading, mixing, sorting and bagging of grain, seed and cereal products. Over the last 30 years, we have developed our expertise in the Agri-food processing industry and a wealth of knowledge in developing solutions for the handling and processing of grain, seed and cereal products.
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