FBR

In cocoa and chocolate manufacture, the dehulling (winnowing) of cocoa beans is without doubt one of the most important process steps. The efficiency of a dehulling plant has a direct influence on the economy of a production line. Kernel losses can only be prevented with a well-functioning dehulling plant.
The plant is designed in such a way that the product flow is divided already at start of the process. The aim is to prevent the formation of fines and dust fractions. The beans are supplied via an elevator initially to a large pre-screen. In this way, only whole beans are passed to the main crusher. Pre-crushed beans are transported past the main crusher, directly to the downstream screen frame. Products that resist crushing are guided to a return crusher. Division of the product flows combined with the specific treatment of the different product fractions minimise the formation of fines and dust fractions. Aspiration losses and therefore yield losses are reliably reduced.
The nib-shell mixture is then moved to a screening and aspiration unit to be separated in five fractions. The screening unit consists primarily of a five-deck screen box, whereby the floor of the final deck remains closed. Separation is carried out at the end of each sieve deck by ascending sifters. The nibs spill over to the sides and are collected in a channel.The ascending sifters are housed in an aspiration box. Its vacuum force is normally adapted precisely to the individual sieve decks or fractions via adjustment flaps. After being deposited, the suctioned shells reach a closed shell collection channel via a discharge screw.