Grain Cleaning Systems • Pre-cleaning Units
Integrated systems with high-capacity pre-cleaning units that separate stones, dust, straw, and foreign matter from grain in minutes, ensuring the safety of ensiling and processing processes.
Why is Grain Cleaning Critical?
As the world's population grows and grain production and storage capacity increase, the rapid and reliable separation of stones, dust, straw, sand, and foreign matter from the grain has become critical for both silo safety and product quality.
From Traditional to Industrial
What used to be a days-long manual sifting process can now be managed on an industrial scale with automated pre-cleaning units that clean tons of grain in hours.
Silo & Process Safety
By separating stones, metal, sand, and heavy particles, mechanical damage that may occur on elevator, conveyor, and silo floors is minimized; the risk of explosion and fire is reduced.
Quality & Efficiency
Grain free from foreign matter offers more homogeneous storage and processing; it improves quality and yield in milling, feed and food processing.
Integrated Line Management
The pre-cleaning unit, which works integrated with the elevator, conveyor, silo and drying systems, forms the first filtration point in the entire grain flow.
Working Principle of the Pre-Cleaning Unit
The path the grain follows from the elevator to the cyclone is through airflow and sieving action.
1. Product Feeding with Elevator
The bucket elevator, used as silo equipment, conveys the grain to the upper hopper (aspirator) and transfers it through the suction hopper in the upper hopper to the rotating drum inside the main casing.
2. Aspiration & Dust Removal
A radial fan attached to the rear of the upper hopper draws in dust and light particles from the grain as it flows into the drum, sending them to the cyclone. This both cleans the product and reduces the dust load within the plant.
3. Rotating Drum and Screening Motion
The product moves horizontally inside a rotating drum with a suitable inclination angle. As it passes through sieves wrapped around the drum, it is classified according to particle size.
4. Classification on Sieves
The upper sieves separate stones, straw, and large pieces; the lower sieves separate fine dust and sand. The grain is brought to the desired level of purity with the appropriate sieve combination.
5. Bottom Discharge Openings & Conveyors
Intermediate compartments in the main sieve prevent the product and separated foreign matter from mixing again; each fraction is transferred to the conveyors through its own lower discharge opening.
Main Components of the Pre-Cleaning Unit
Long-lasting design with high-strength body structure and industrial components.
Drum Case & Main Case
The main casing and upper chamber are made of high-strength galvanized sheet metal. This corrosion-resistant structure ensures a long service life, even in outdoor conditions.
Rotary Drums & Screens
The rotating drum with a suitable incline and the sieves wrapped around it ensure the controlled movement of the product. Sieve combinations are optimized according to the product type.
Upper Chamber (Aspirator)
This is the initial entry point for the product coming from the elevator. It forms the aspiration zone with the suction hopper and air ducts, ensuring efficient operation of the radial fan.
Cyclone & Radial Fan
Manufactured from ST37 grade black sheet metal, the cyclone separates dust and light particles drawn in by a radial fan. The parts are joined by a welded structure; corrosion resistance is increased with 2 coats of primer + 1 coat of paint.
Chassis & Fasteners
The entire unit's support frame is designed to withstand combinations of vibration and load. High yield strength is ensured by 10.9 grade bolts and dacromet-coated nuts.
Line Integration & Capacity Planning
Pre-cleaning lines that work integrated with elevator, conveyor, silo and drying systems.
The pre-cleaning unit is typically located before silo filling. The elevator feeds the grain into the pre-cleaning unit; the cleaned grain is then directed into the silos via distributors and conveyors.
Drum size, sieve structure, and fan flow rate are determined according to the product type (wheat, corn, barley, etc.), initial moisture content, and target capacity. It can be scaled up to configurations that clean tons of grain per hour.
Process equipment can be protected by defining intermediate pre-cleaning stations in the product flow to mills, feed plants, or packaging lines.
Durability, Ease of Maintenance & Operation
Industrial design suitable for heavy-duty working conditions and requiring low maintenance.
Corrosion Resistance
The galvanized sheet metal body, with 2 coats of primer and 1 coat of paint on the cyclone side, offers superior corrosion resistance; it is particularly suitable for dusty and humid environments.
Modular Housing & Screen Replacement
Because the sieves and drum internal components are designed with a modular structure, sieve changes and maintenance operations can be completed with minimal downtime during product changes.
Dust Management
The cyclone and aspiration line removes dust from the system in a controlled manner; integration with the filtration system ensures a cleaner and healthier working environment.
Secure Business
Access hatches, service platforms, and checkpoints allow you to perform cleaning and maintenance operations in accordance with occupational safety standards.
Grain Cleaning Line Gallery
Images of the pre-cleaning drum, cyclone, aspiration line, and field applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be used with grains such as wheat, corn, barley, rye, and oats, as well as products with similar grain structures. Sieve selection and settings are configured according to the product type.
Typically located at the elevator outlet, before the silo or drying line. The outlet bottom discharge openings are connected to a conveyor or distributor, allowing the clean grain to move through the process.
Depending on the fill level and product type, regular screen cleaning, drum inspection, and removal of deposits inside the cyclone are recommended. Downtime can be minimized with a periodic maintenance plan.