Grain Moistener

a machine for moistening grain that is being processed for flour. Moistening not only increases the moisture content of the grain but also distributes the moisture more evenly throughout the grain, which is essential for increasing the viscosity of the shells and reducing the resistance of the endosperm to milling. In water-stream grain moisteners, a waterwheel is turned by the action of the stream of moving grain; therefore they do not require any special power source. Even distribution of moisture occurs only after the grain is wetted off in bins, and this is the disadvantage of using grain moisteners. The productivity of such a machine may be up to 10 tons per hr. Grain moisteners in which a fine spray of water is added produce an even distribution of moisture, but these moisteners require a power source.