CRYOGRINDING

USING LIQUID NITROGEN

SYNOPSIS
Spices are very commonly used as most important ingredients of Indian food. Usually the products are obtained in powder form after grinding in conventional grinding plants. But this method of grinding dried spices

result in the reduction or loss of volatile components like the essential oils from spices during processing. How to check this loss? Here is the new technology for grinding with the use of liquid nitrogen. It is found that liquid nitrogen with boiling point -196 o C can be used to attain a low temperature even up to 77K.If we can maintain the temperature of the grinding chamber at around this low temperature by a system injecting
[1]

controlled amounts of liquid nitrogen regulating the heat of the grinding mill. At low temperatures, materials become brittle enough to be ground to very fine particle sizes. The dry, cold and inert atmosphere generated by liquid nitrogen vapour blanket or circulation in the grinder chamber, minimizes thermal reaction with the material and reduces the loss of components from spices during processing. This new technology has got many advantages. This grinding improves the aroma by minimising the loss of essential oils to a considerable low percentage, which is approximately 45% in conventional processing. It helps to attain smaller particles, more uniform particles size distribution and efficient process. This technology has got scope for producing powder of materials like rubber,

plastics and concentrated colour that have consistent particle size and shape imparting uniform quality. Also it is

[2]

found to save to 40% electricity, in comparison with conventional grinding mills.

INTRODUCTION
It is a truth that the various spice powder products like turmeric, cumin, etc available in the market are either adulterated or low in quality. These drawbacks arise from low level technology applied in the conventional grinding of these spices. The present mode of grinding causes loss in the aroma and volatile components of the spices resulting in the poor quality. Also there is a need for getting medicinal herbs in the sub micron sized particle for effective applications. All these problems can be
[3]

solved by applying a new technology in grinding with the use of liquid nitrogen.

DESCRIPTION
THEORY
Liquid Nitrogen has a boiling point -1960C (77K). It can be very well used for super cooling of the spices and the grinding process mill to the

temperature -1500C. At this temperature the spices become brittle and volatile components are

preserved. The dry cold and mist atmosphere generated by liquid nitrogen vapour blanket or circulation in the grinding chamber minimizes thermal reaction with the material and reduces the loss of components from spices. The bonding forces between atoms are significantly reduced in extreme cold temperature. The final ground up powder particle size is in sub-micron range
[4]

WORKING
The well cleaned green dry spices is fed into the cooling chamber provided with slowly rotating screw to ensure steady cooling. Liquid nitrogen is allowed to flow into the cooling chamber with the help of a regulator valve. When sufficient cooling say up to -1500C indicated the spice is drifted to the grinder mill The grinder consists of circular grinding blade with a filter at the bottom. The embrittled spice would be ground to fine particles (sub-micron size) and collected at the bottom. The nitrogen gas after filtration passes into the compressor system and gas regulator. The cooled nitrogen (up to -1500C) is recycled to the cooling chamber. Hence the loss of nitrogen is checked and the process becomes more economic. Prior cooling of spices by using say dry ice or deep freezer would again minimize the use of liquid nitrogen.
[5]

BENEFITS
We can grind the organic materials to very small particles and attain more uniform particle size distribution .There will not caking in mill or on other equipment .The inert atmosphere provided by liquid nitrogen guards protection against oxidation and explosion .It reduces wear and tear of grounding equipments to a very low level .Helps to

obtain heat sensitive spice products. The technology reduces energy consumption to a considerable rate in .It has got

comparison to the conventional grinding mill

wide scope in producing other heat sensitive products like pharmaceuticals from herbs.

[6]

CONCLUSION
The new technology in grinding with the help of a super cooled grinding mill could facilitate the production of quality spice powder. It is high time we use such technology in the view that the technology would lead to quality control and achievement of application in daily life. The conventional types of grinding mills are to be replaced at least in the production of spice powder, condiments and even green tea. The investment in such grinding mill would give much return in the long run. In a time when the agricultural production of spices like cumin, turmeric, chilly, tea, coffee etc is diminishing, the advanced

technology in grinding with the use of liquid nitrogen. would reduce economic loss, energy consumption and above all improve the standard of living. Not only that the new technology can be applied in the production of pharmaceuticals from herbs with high efficacy.

[7]

SCIENCE EXHIBITION 2009

GREEN SPICE GRINDING
USING LIQUID NITROGEN

PRESENTED BY: MASTER AGNEL SAJI CLASS: XI

Mr. K.K.SASI PGT CHEMISTRY

[8]

PREPARED BY TOM BASIL M.V

[9]

GUIDED BY UTHAMAN S NAIR

I OWE MY THANKS TO SRI UTHAMAN S NAIR, PGT BIOLOGY WHO HELPED AND GUIDED US TO MAKE THIS PROJECT A REALITY. WE ALSO THANK OUR PRINCIPAL MADAM SMT.JAYASREE MADAM AND THE SCHOOL AUTHORITY THAT PROVIDED US WITH ALL KINDS OF MONETARY AND MATERIAL SUPPORT FOR THIS PROJECT. AND MOST OF ALL WE LIKE TO THANK THE GOD ALMIGHTY WHO SHOWERED HIS BLESSINGS IN US AND OUR PROJECT.

[10]

THE GREATEST DELIMMA THAT OUR COUNTRY FACES TODAY IS INDEED SCARCITY OF WATER. THE RAINFALL DEFICIT HAS ADVERSELY AFFECTED OU AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION.HERE; WE INTRODUCE BEFORE YOU A NEW SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUE THAT WOULD PROVE PRODUCTIVE TO CONSERVE WATER. A LOT OF WATER REACHING THE EARTHS SURFACE IS GETTING WASTED IN DIFFERENTN WAYS. WE OPEN BEFORE YOU THE DOORS OF A SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION THAT IS PURELY ECO FRIENDLY AND MOREOVER INEXPENSIVE. JOIN HANDS WITH US TO DEVELOP A WONDERFUL WORLD.

[11]

[12]