Abstract

CORTAZAR-FIGUEROA, L. M.; MELENDEZ-PEREZ, R.  and  OLIVER-HERNANDEZ, D. M.. Energy consumption and size distribution in the grinding of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and black pepper (Piper nigrum L). Rev. Mex. Ing. Quím [online]. 2008, vol.7, n.2, pp.123-130. ISSN 1665-2738.

The grinding of cinnamon and black pepper was carried out for the determination of energy consumption and particle size distribution. It carried out in three different mills with different forces. The initial diameters were controlled for both spices and the feeding speed stayed constant: 35.84 Kg/h (sd ± 0.025). In the exit of the mills there was a mesh with a constant diameter of 2 mm; the real energy consumption was evaluated measure the current intensity, the obtained products of the grinding carried out themselves a Sieve Analysis. The smallest diameters were obtained in the Pulvex mill; for the cinnamon were 0.31 mm (sd ± 0.007) and 0.32 mm (sd ± 0.016) for the initial diameter 17.22 and 18.56 mm respectively and the pepper 0.45 mm (sd ± 0.002) y 0.47 mm (sd ± 0.009) for 3.75 y 7.84 mm of initial diameter respectively. The energy consumption was little for the pepper in the Pulvex 0.98 and 0.96 Wh/kg and for the cinnamon were 2.30 and 2.28 Wh/kg in the mill of blades. To conclude, the application of impact and shear forces permit to obtain homogeneous products and facilitate the grinding of the studied spices.

Keywords : energy consumption; grinding; size distribution.