INFRA RED PROCESS SYSTEM

Infrared cooking has been developed as an alternative to steam cooking of cereal grains and pulses. It is a short time, high temperature process using moisture, temperature and mechanical pressure to achieve the conditions required for cooking and starch gelatinisation.

The system has been successfully used on all types of grain including wheat, barley, oats, maize and rice. It is also suitable for flaking of soya, peas, beans and other pulses.

This process normally includes four steps:-

• Conditioning: moisture in the grain increased by soaking in hot water and held for a period of time.
• Infra Red Cooking: conditioned grains spread evenly across a conveyor and subjected to infra red radiation, softening and cooking the grain.
• Flaking: heavy duty roller mill used to flake the grain and stabilise the cooked starches.
• Cooling: efficient ambient air cooler to reduce flake temperature before storage to minimise risk of condensation and mould growth.

Standard capacity: 2 - 10 ton/hr
Fuel Usage: 2 therms/tonne (dependent on product)
Total Electrical Load: 12 kW/tonne (dependent on product)

Conditioned Grain Feed into IRP		Infra Red Panel
Product Discharge from IRP		IRP System in production
IRP viewed on discharge end with Flake Mill		Flaked Product on Cooler

The IRP is primarily used to produce flaked cereals and pulses for inclusion in animal or human feeds.

Typical applications would be :-

• Pelletised or coarse mix rations for immature animals;
  
• Dairy and horse feeds; pet foods;
  
• Muesli mix; snack foods;
  
• Bread ingredients; brewery supplies;
  
• Speciality flours; quick cooking pulses`