Separation kinetics of karnal bunt (Tilletia indica) infected wheat (Triticum aestivum) grains in a fluidized bed / Cinética de separación de granos de trigo (Triticum aestivum) infectados con carbon parcial (Tilletia indica) en un lecho fluidificado

Abstract

Infection of breadmaking wheat grains by karnal bunt (Tilletia indica) is a common disease in north- western Mexican states, causing major economic losses. In this work, the feasibility of separating infected from wholesome wheat grains by using fluidized bed technologies was evaluated. The pro posed separation equipment was of the batch type and fluidization was attained via direct air injec tion into the grain bed. Minimum fluidization rates were determined and effects of infected grain composition in the bed were studied. The experimental results showed that the separation of infected grains was quite possible with small losses of wholesome wheat grains. A quantitative characteriza tion of the separation process was made by determining the separation kinetics from the available experimental data. Separation kinetics were shown to be useful for estimating the equipment operat ing time to attain an allowed level of grain infection, as established by the Mexican government for the commercialization of wheat.