INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGICAL PARAMETERS ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY AT THE PRODUCTION OF CORN EXTRUDES

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to determine the effect of screw speed and moisture level on the efficiency and energy consumption of the extrusion process. The extrusion process (Q) was measured by determining the mass of the extrudates, and the energy consumption was determined using specific mechanical energy. Based on the results of the research, it was found that the factor that significantly affects the measured values was the screw rotation speed. Along with the increase in this parameter, the efficiency of energy consumption and the efficiency of the extrusion process increased during the processing of maize grains. The efficiency of the extrusion process also depended on the moisture content of the raw materials. With a lower raw material moisture, the efficiency decreased with increasing screw speed, and at a moisture level above 18%, respectively, increased.