Determination of grinding parameters of fenugreek seed

Experiment to identify ambient grinding conditions and energy consumed was conducted for fenugreek. Fenugreek seeds at three moisture content (5.1%, 11.5% and 17.3%, d.b.) were ground using a micro pulverizer hammer mill with different grinding screen openings (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mm) and feed rate (8, 16 and 24 kg h-1) at 3000 rpm. Physical properties of fenugreek seeds were also determined. Specific energy consumptions were found to decrease from 204.67 to 23.09 kJ kg-1 for increasing levels of feed rate and grinder screen openings. On the other hand specific energy consumption increased with increasing moisture content. The highest specific energy consumption was recorded for 17.3% moisture content and 8 kg h-1 feed rate with 0.5 mm screen opening. Average particle size decreased from 1.06 to 0.39 mm with increase of moisture content and grinder screen opening. It has been observed that the average particle size was minimum at 0.5 mm screen opening and 8 kg h-1 feed rate at lower moisture content. Bond’s work index and Kick’s constant were found to increase from 8.97 to 950.92 kWh kg-1 and 0.932 to 78.851 kWh kg-1 with the increase of moisture content, feed rate and grinder screen opening, respectively. Size reduction ratio and grinding effectiveness of fenugreek seed were found to decrease from 4.11 to 1.61 and 0.0118 to 0.0018 with the increase of moisture content, feed rate and grinder screen opening, respectively. The loose and compact bulk densities varied from 219.2 to 719.4 kg m-3 and 137.3 to 736.2 kg m-3, respectively.