Potato flakes, Germany

Grinding potato flakes for the food industry

Food

Customer: DS Schüttgut & Emsland Food

Application: Grinding of dried potato flakes to a defined grain size

Procedure: Grinding tests in Tietjen’s technical center, then purchase of the machine

Solution: Grinding module with LDE hammer mill, explosion protection

Later end product: mashed potatoes or potato chips

The grinding process of potato flakes with the high-speed mill LDE

After drying, the potato flakes are ground to a particle size specified by the processor. The flake size is usually specified in bulk density g/l. This method can be checked very quickly and easily in the continuous quality assurance process.

Potatoes are a natural product and processing is therefore subject to variations. In order to adjust the final product to the customer’s specifications, a Tietjen grinding module was specifically selected.

Grinding tests in the Tietjen technical centre, carried out together with the plant manufacturer DS-Schüttgut, allowed the usual bulk weights to be run up and the specific grinding parameters to be recorded. As a result, the Tietjen LDE7.3S hammer mill was selected. It is designed as a compact hammer mill. Due to the simple screen change during the mill is running, it is possible to react very quickly to a changed particle structure. The screens, which are guided in screen cage, can be easily replaced without tools. The large handles also allow the screens to be neatly hung on hooks on walls or support frames. This keeps the floor clear for cleaning work.

For this application, extra wide and heavy beaters have been selected to generate high centrifugal force of the beaters even at low speed. In addition, all parts of the mill that come into contact with the product are made of stainless steel. This ensured hygienic grinding.

A very precise adjustment of the grain structure is possible by adjusting the mill speed, the screen sizes and the aspiration volume.

High-speed mill LDE

E-Vent relief valve

Potato processing: Plant safety at the highest level

Since the potato flour dust from the grinding process has explosive properties, special attention was also paid to high availability and plant safety. The explosion protection concept of the Tietjen grinding module provides for a decoupling from the adjacent production steps and the production room. A flameless pressure relief of the module, which is designed for a maximum explosion overpressure of 0.4 bar, enables a hygienic variant. This means that there is no need to work with an extinguishing agent or water, which would result in costly cleaning work in the event of an explosion. In addition, this Tietjen “indoor concept” does not require the installation of an exterior relief channel. Any penetration of an exterior wall is also requires costly sealing measures.

Convincing quality and technology for potato processing

The plant has now been in operation since April 2020 and produces potato flakes every day, which are used as a basic ingredient for mashed potatoes or crisps. Both the plant manufacturer and the end customer are very satisfied with the process, support and the result of the grinding plant. We would like to thank DS-Schüttgut and Emsland Food for the good cooperation and the successful project.

Impressions from Cloppenburg
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