The processing techniques developed by the N. Hunt Moore and Associates team have literally revolutionized the oil processing industry. Innovations began with the firm's first client and continue to this day with special systems that are currently under development. Each advance initiated by NHM has enhanced productivity and profits for oilseed processors.
The engineers at NHM excel at developing proficient seed cleaning processes that specifically fit each customer's needs. Seed cleaning involves separating undesirable material that is inherently contained in the seed into two or more streams. By adjusting equipment specifications, the NHM team can divide the streams into areas that fit each customer's end products by adjusting the equipment specifications. Basic components include Rotex and Kice equipment. Even the Roskamp Champion Gyro Sifter has been successfully employed with certain oilseeds such as corn germ. Other equipment such as hammermills and roll crackers are often coupled with the seed cleaning operation.
DRYING
To many processors, NHM is synonymous with advanced fluidbed technology. And although NHM's forte has been the highly effective application of fluidbed drying, certain circumstances dictate the use of a column drier to prepare the oilseeds for further processing. NHM is certainly well-versed in supplying conventional column type driers. The customer benefits as the firm's highly-skilled engineering team applies their processing know-how to assure that the drier is properly sized, incorporates energy saving technology, and includes the appropriate safety and environmental features. Additionally, NHM can offer assistance on setting up the elevator for proper segregation of the incoming seed and storage of the dried seed for tempering.
In the late 1960s, Hi-Pro plants began replacing line grade plants, and NHM was on the scene! NHM engineers developed two of the earliest lessons learned about “Hi-Pro” plants. Their first discovery was the importance of dividing cracked soybeans into proper fractions for the most effective hull and meat separations. This is accomplished in a Rotex sifter through proper selection of number of screens, wire diameters, wire spacing, screen type, and so forth. The other lesson learned was the importance of using the Kice aspirator with the correct width, number of passes and amount of air as the flow of material between the Rotex sifter and Kice aspirator must be kept spread out.
SECONDARY DEHULLING/MEAT RECOVERY
NHM provided design and equipment for some of the first secondary dehulling systems installed in the US soybean industry in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Rotex sifters and Kice aspirators are the basic components of these systems. Auxiliary equipment includes the necessary cyclones, airlocks and fans. The configuration has withstood the test of time, and the equipment has not changed significantly in the past 20 years. This equipment separates the oil-containing meats from the fiber-containing hulls. The same lessons learned with the first Hi-Pro plants, as explained above, apply in secondary dehulling and meat recovery.
NHM has supplied conditioners for a number of years. Conditioners are often underrated as a key component in the preparation of oilseeds for excellent extraction. NHM knows the value of properly sizing and controlling flow control through conditioners. For years, conventional soybean plants have relied on the rotary conditioner as one of the most cost competitive alternatives available for conditioning. Although the NHM team would recommend Escher Wyss for new soybean plants, we can and frequently do supply rotary conditioners. The rotary conditioner is an attractive solution for a plant that will “swing” between different oilseeds. Alternatively, the stack conditioner is a fairly low maintenance unit that enables the processor to control the product uniformity. NHM has developed a process flow that utilizes the stack conditioner in a modified hot dehulling approach for soybeans (see below). NHM can also supply stack conditioners for other oilseeds.
HOT DEHULLING
As mentioned above, NHM has developed a process flow using a stack conditioner coupled with Kice aspirators in a recycle loop in a modified hot dehulling approach for soybeans. The Kice aspirators and recycle loop can be employed after a rotary conditioner, as well. In general, the large and “meatless” hulls recovered in hot dehulling systems have enabled requirements for the Rotex and Kice equipment to be pushed to the limits, resulting in less equipment than comparable conventional dehulling systems.
IRLE REPLACEMENT ROLLS
N. Hunt Moore and Associates leads the way in bringing superior technology to North American manufacturers. With reliability and wear resistance as the hallmarks of this product line, you can be assured of dependable service for years to come. Each Irle roll is precision built to meet today's stringent requirements for higher speeds, greater working pressures and increased capacities.
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POLLUTION CONTROL
NHM has successfully applied the proven technology of Kice cyclones and bag filters to control air emissions for over 30 years. In special cases, NHM has worked with other fine manufacturers of air pollution control equipment to meet the customer's particular needs. As agents for Krupp, NHM now offers the incomparable ZELEM© system for reducing solids and liquid emissions from the extraction plant's waste water. Please see the Krupp section for a more detailed description of this innovative system.
PROCESS ENGINEERING CONSULTATION
NHM has its roots in process engineering consultation. Many of the company's first projects had process engineering as the scope of work. Today, as in the past, our Associates understand our customers' market requirements and the regulatory constraints they face. Listening to our customers' specific requirements is an NHM specialty. We then apply sound engineering principles tempered by our many years of experience. The result is a recommendation presented with the highest ethics expected of professional engineers.
Our consultation often results in the design and supply of specialized systems and equipment. For example. NHM introduced and supplied the majority of the mineral oil absorption systems when this innovative process was developed. Likewise, we have designed and supplied first and second effect evaporators, oil strippers, oil driers, condensers, vapor contactors, waste water evaporators, and solvent water separators. The NHM engineering team looks forward to working with you on your process equipment needs, including project concept, creating layouts, writing specifications and expediting delivery. Whether your needs include multiple conveyors, coding towers, or other process equipment, the NHM professionals offer the latest technological advances to improve your operations.
PROCESS SAFETY MANAGEMENT
Since the enactment of the PSM standard in 1992, the oilseed extraction industry has struggled to find reliable sources to complement their efforts to comply with its requirements. Our Associates have firsthand experience with the PSM standard. In fact, NHM has assisted a number of plants by facilitating process hazard analyses (PHA's), auditing PSM programs, and supplying PSM manuals. These services are offered in the spirit of helping the industry.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
NHM understands the need to keep your operation running smoothly and efficiently with as little downtime as possible. Consequently, spare parts availability has always been one of our priorities. Consistent with this mission, NHM's commitment to service starts with 24-hour, 7-day a week availability of both parts and engineering staff. Our expansive warehouse includes a full complement of the primary wear parts for Tecnal expanders as well as all components for AEG/Joest vibrating feeders. As an added advantage, NHM is located just minutes from FedEx hub headquarters. This enables NHM to offer a longer window of opportunity for overnight shipments than other U.S. cities.