Capacity Upgrade and Retrofit

Where the constraint usually sits

1. 01

   Steam supply

   Boiler capacity, pressure stability or wet steam limit how fast grain can be conditioned.

2. 02

   Conditioning volume

   Too little retention time at the higher rate; flake quality drops before the mill is loaded.

3. 03

   Flaking mill

   Worn rolls, gap control or drive power. Often a re-corrugation recovers more than expected.

4. 04

   Drying and cooling

   The line can flake faster than flakes can be cooled to a storable moisture.

5. 05

   Conveying and storage

   Intake or discharge capacity, or gentle-handling limits that create fines.

Measurements that answer the question

• Actual tonnes per running hour, measured, not nominal
• Conditioning temperature and retention time at that rate
• Steam pressure at the chest during full load
• Flake thickness, density and fines at that rate
• Motor load on the mill drive
• Stop reasons and duration over a representative period