As one of the world’s major rice producers and exporters, Thailand possesses abundant rice bran resources. Rice bran is a by-product of rice milling and is rich in dietary fiber, plant protein, vitamins, minerals, as well as valuable rice bran oil. This oil contains bioactive components such as γ-oryzanol. For a long time, rice bran has mainly been used as low-value animal feed or even discarded. As a result, its high value-added potential has remained largely untapped.
A Thai customer specializing in the deep processing of rice bran and functional food ingredients encountered several challenges with their existing milling equipment. These included coarse particle size, wide particle size distribution, easy oxidation, nutrient degradation, and low production capacity. Due to these limitations, the customer was unable to meet downstream quality requirements for ultrafine rice bran powder with a D50 of around 30 μm. After extensive evaluation and comparative testing, the customer ultimately selected the Air Classifier Mill (ACM) system from Qingdao Epic Powder Machinery Co., Ltd. (Epic Powder) for ultrafine rice bran processing.
Equipment Selection and Process Solution
Rice bran is a high-oil (15–22%), high-fiber, and heat-sensitive material. During grinding, excessive heat can easily cause oil exudation, oxidation, and nutrient loss. Based on these characteristics, Epic Powder recommended an advanced Air Classifier Mill (ACM) system. This system integrates mechanical impact grinding with dynamic airflow classification. This design enables precise particle size control while effectively limiting temperature rise.
- Peralatan utama:
Epic Powder ACM main unit equipped with a high-precision turbine classifier, wear-resistant hammers/pin discs, pulse dust collection system, and closed-loop circulation design. - Auxiliary systems:
Feed pre-cooling unit and optional inert gas protection system (nitrogen circulation) to prevent oil oxidation; anti-sticking inner lining to reduce material adhesion. - Process features:
Low-temperature grinding, negative-pressure enclosed operation, and fully automated control ensure hygienic, safe, and environmentally friendly production.
This solution is not only suitable for rice bran, but can also be extended to other grain by-products and plant-based raw materials for ultrafine processing.
Processing Results and Performance Indicators
| Category | Performance |
|---|---|
| Particle Size Distribution | D50 = 30 μm; D97 < 80 μm; narrow particle size distribution; regular and uniform particle morphology |
| Powder Characteristics | Good flowability with no caking; golden color with natural aroma well preserved; minimal loss of key nutrients such as γ-oryzanol and vitamin E; low oil absorption, easy for downstream blending |
| Throughput & Energy Consumption | Single-line capacity of 200–500 kg/h (depending on oil and moisture content of raw material); reasonable energy consumption, significantly better than the customer’s original equipment |
| Quality Stability & Compliance | High batch-to-batch consistency; fully compliant with Thai and international food-grade standards such as HACCP and ISO 22000; suitable for export to Europe and North America |