Pulses in Indian parlance are commonly called dal. These are mostly consumed as dehusked splits. Some are termed difficult-to-mill pulses as the outer layer of the grain (husk) is attached to the cotyledons of the pulse grains and in some grains this bonding is extremely strong as there is a layer of gums in between the husk and the cotyledons. Examples are like pigeonpea, mungbean and urad bean. Most other pulses like chickpea, pea, lathyrus etc. are weakly bonded and hence milled easily and are called easy-to-mill pulses. These become fit for consumption as dal only after the outer husk layer is removed from the cotyledons and split in two halves.
This process of removal of husk from the cotyledons is technically known as dehusking. The total process of dehusking and later splitting of cotyledons, cleaning, polishing and grading is technically termed as milling. Dehusking is necessary as it enhances product quality, palatability and digestibility apart from product texture & appearance leading to greater marketability. The majority of avoidable loss occurs at this stage during various different stages of milling. The actual amount may vary from 10 to 15% as per the type, quality, the process and machinery employed and related factors. Millers and investors consequently therefore, need to scrutinize diverse aspects of milling in order to ensure optimized processes and machinery in order to gain maximum production by diminishing milling losses.
As the leading Rice Mill Consultants & Rice Mill Project Consultants, in India, Nextech Solutions extends total consultancy in every aspect of edible grain production in India and across the world. Nextech Solutions handholds and mentors each process related to Pre-drying Process in a Modern Dal Mill Plant. As a renowned Rice Mill Consultant, it has acute knowledge and expertise over Dal Mill Process and is renowned for has always innovating to customize each equipment & process. Thus each stage displays minimum running cost, and maximum output and returns through least maintenance. Even before the setting up of mills, strategic planning is undertaken to ensure optimum material, process and people flow. Nextech Solutions possesses the expertise and experience to erect and operationalize optimal continuous processes while fully complying with latest global standards.
Pulse milling is the third largest food processing industry following rice and flour milling and approximately 75% of pulses produced are taken for processing in Pulse Processing Plant for production of dal of various types. Being Rice Mill Engineers & Designers with long experience we also set up pulse mills with optimum equipment machinery, plant, processes and people.
Milling of pulses is undergone in two major steps:
- Loosening of husk
- Removal of husk and subsequently are split into cotyledons with machine.
All kinds of pulses require some pre-milling treatment for easing the process of husk removal. These processes and equipment vary widely while encompassing processes like loosening of husk, separation of husk from cotyledons and its splitting differ from crop to crop, cultivar to cultivar and place to place. Dehusking is developed very early but now is undertaken at a large-scale organized industrial level.
Defining Pre-Drying
“Pre-drying” refers to that stage of the post-harvest system when the harvested beans are dried before undergoing the next stage of threshing, under optimal conditions. Pre-drying important as the cut portions of the plant do not all mature at the same time. Hence, it may include too much green plant matter as all the grains do not have a uniform process or degree of maturing and may retain undesirable levels of high moisture content. This necessitates pre-drying making it imperative.
Nextech's strengths in designing Process flow & control knows how along with expertise in designing & engineering ensures competitive advantage.
