Turmeric Processing Plant

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a "Golden Spice" valued for its Curcumin content, aroma, and colour. However, processing it presents unique challenges:

  • Hardness: Dried turmeric rhizomes (gattha) are rock-hard and abrasive, requiring heavy duty pre-crushing.
  • Heat Sensitivity: The essential oils and Curcumin are highly sensitive to heat. Standard grinding can generate temperatures >90°C, causing volatile oil loss (aroma depletion) and colour degradation (darkening).
  • Staining & Hygiene: The fine yellow dust is staining and requires strict containment to maintain a clean plant environment.

RIECO Industries provides a specialized Single Stage Grinding Plant designed to address these issues. By using its Air Swept Mill we ensure high capacity, precise fineness, and "Cool Grinding" temperatures (< 45°C) to retain the maximum Curcumin value. The Air Swept Mill (ASM) provides a high-efficiency, low-heat grinding solution for producing fine turmeric powder (300–400 microns). Continuous air movement prevents heat build-up, preserves product quality, maintains natural oil content, and ensures a consistent, flowable product.

Turmeric Processing Plant

Design and Working Principle

The Air-Swept Turmeric Grinding system operates in a continuous closed-loop circuit with controlled feeding, impact grinding, air conveying, and filtration.

Step 1: Vibro Feeder Feeding

Turmeric fingers/bulbs are dosed uniformly via a Vibro Feeder.

  • Provides smooth material flow
  • Controls feed rate to avoid mill overload
Step 2: Inclined Belt Conveyor

Transfers material from feeder to mill inlet.

  • Designed for continuous, choke-free feeding
  • Ensures stable loading to Air Swept Mill
Step 3: Grinding in Air Swept Mill

Inside the mill, turmeric is reduced by:

  • High-speed impact
  • Shearing between rotor & liner
  • Turbulent airflow carrying material through chamber

Key advantage: Air acts as a cooling medium → prevents colour loss & volatile oil loss

Step 4: Pneumatic Conveying to Cyclone

Fine material is picked by conveying air and carried to the cyclone separator.

  • Air stream keeps product temperature low
  • Ensures uniform particle size
Step 5: Cyclone Separation

Cyclone separates powdered turmeric from conveying air.

  • Heavy particles fall into Rotary Air Lock
  • Minimizes dust load to bag filter
Step 6: Bag Filter Dust Collection

Remaining ultrafine particles are captured.

  • Ensures < 20 mg/Nm³ emissions
  • Provides > 99% product recovery
Step 7: Product Discharge

Powder collected below cyclone and bag filter through two RALs into collection bins/packing line.

Step 8: Central Control Panel

Controls all motors, interlocks, feeders, and safety parameters.

Model Description

Variant Model Capacity (Approx.) Target Fineness
TP-15-SS ASM 15 SS 304 80-100 Kg/hr 95% 400 Microns
TP-25-SS ASM 25 SS 304 150 – 200 kg/hr 95% 400 Microns

Key Components

Component Function Key Technical Feature
Air Swept Mill Responsible for grinding turmeric into fine uniform powder Screenless design, low-heat operation, impact + air sweep grinding, 300–400 µm fineness
Bag Filter System Separates fine powder from air & controls dust emissions Pulse jet cleaning, >99% product recovery, hygienic operation
Centrifugal Fan Provides required airflow for conveying & cooling High-volume airflow, ensures <15–20°C temperature rise
Vibro Feeder Doses turmeric fingers evenly into conveyor/mill Controlled feeding, avoids mill surges
Inclined Belt Conveyor Transfers turmeric to mill Stable, continuous feed, food-grade belt option
Cyclone Separator Separates powder from conveying air High separation efficiency, reduces bag filter load
Rotary Air Lock (Below Cyclone & BF) Air-sealed discharge of product Ensures steady discharge without air leakage
Control Panel (PLC/HMI) Controls complete system VFD-based feeder & fan control, safety alarms, interlocks

Features & Benefits

  • Curcumin Retention
  • The "Cool Grinding" airflow design minimizes temperature rise, preventing the oxidation of Curcumin and preserving the bright yellow-orange colour.

  • Low-Heat Grinding
  • Preserves Curcumin & Volatile Oils

  • Uniform Powder Fineness (300–400 microns)
  • Dust-Free Operation
  • The entire line is negative-pressure sealed. No yellow dust escapes into the factory, ensuring operator health and hygiene.

  • Wear Protection
  • Critical wear parts (hammers, liners) are made from Hardened Alloy Steel or Tungsten Carbide tipped to withstand the abrasive nature of turmeric.

  • Continuous Industrial Duty:
  • 24/7

  • Automation
  • PLC-controlled feed rates ensure the mills are never overloaded, maximizing uptime.

Applications

  • Culinary: Standard 60–80 mesh powder for curry mixes and retail packs.
  • Extraction: Coarse grits (20–40 mesh) for Oleoresin/Curcumin extraction plants.
  • Nutraceutical: Ultra-fine (100+ mesh), high-Curcumin powder for capsules and supplements.
  • Natural Colorant: Super-fine powder for food colouring applications.
Model Variants
Variant Model Capacity (Approx.) Target Fineness
TP-15-SS ASM 15 SS 304 80-100 Kg/hr 95% 400 Microns
TP-25-SS ASM 25 SS 304 150 – 200 kg/hr 95% 400 Microns

Technical Parameters
Parameters Details
Input Material Dry Turmeric Fingers (< 8% Moisture).
Output Fineness D95 400 microns
Grinding Temp Standard: 40–50°C | Cryogenic: -20°C to 10°C.td>
Yield > 98% Recovery.