Pilot-scale dry-milling runs were conducted to study the feasibility o
f using a short-duration single-stage tempering procedure for the temp
ering-degerminating system, instead of the 17.8-21.5 hr of conventiona
l three-stage tempering procedures reported in the scientific literatu
re. Using a Beall degerminator No. 0, pilot-scale dry-milling experime
nts were conducted at 10 tempering levels: 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 1
20, 180, and 240 min. Variation in moisture content of through- and ta
il-stock fractions, degerminator throughput, ratio of tail- to through
-stock, yields of different sized grits from tail- and through-stock f
ractions, and the recovery of germ and pericarp were used to compare t
empering periods. A decrease in the milling action was observed for te
mpering durations >30 min. A tempering period of 15 min gave the highe
st grit recovery and a 30-min tempering period resulted in the highest
germ and pericarp recovery. Based on these results, it was concluded
that short tempering periods of 10-30 min as compared to 17.8-21.5 hr
could be used for the tempering-degerminator system.