The cashew boiling process is one of the most vital and essential procedures that must be carried out in any factory that processes cashews. This, in most cases, will determine both the quality of the nut that is produced in the end as well as the overall profitability of the plant.
The quality of the kernel that is contained within the cashew nut shell can be determined by either boiling or steaming the raw cashew nuts for the appropriate amount of time at the appropriate temperature.
Cashew Nut Boiling Process
In order to complete the cashew boiling process, a steam boiler that is fueled by either wood, empty cashew shells, or biomass is utilised. Inside the boiler, a number of distinct kinds of fuel are burned as air is forced over the fire. This causes the water to boil, which in turn turns the water into steam. This high-pressure, saturated steam is supplied into the cashew steaming machine, where it is pushed through tubes and given circulation.
Use of Steam Boiler in Cashew Factory
The steam boilers are a highly essential component of the cashew processing industry as a whole. Steam boilers are standard equipment in all cashew processing facilities, regardless of size. The raw cashew nuts are either cooked or blanched using the steaming machine, which is the major purpose of the steam boiler. The steam generated by the steam boiler is then sent to the steaming machine. However, in most situations, steam from the boiler is also delivered to the drying rooms in order to dry the cashew kernels that have already had their shells removed prior to the process of peeling them.
- For Steaming Machine
For the purpose of cooking raw cashew nuts, these Vertical Steaming Machines are put into use. The cycle duration for each batch, during which the steam is provided and the cashew nuts are cooked, is typically between thirty and forty-five minutes. When cashew nuts are cooked, the oil inside them is released, and gravity causes it to travel downward. Additionally, this makes it simple to remove the cashew nut shells and slice them. Before being sent through the shelling process, the raw cashew nuts are first transformed into their cooked counterparts.
- For Drying Chamber
During the process of peeling cashew nuts, the Cashew Nut Drying Chamber is utilised to dry the kernels after the shell has been removed. This causes the skin to become brittle and facilitates its removal. These drying chambers have tubes that allow a portion of the steam generated by the steam boiler to be sent there. A fan is used to blow air over these tubes, which assists in the drying process for the cashew kernels. Before the kernels are put into the humidification rooms, they are tested for ten to twelve hours in the normal procedure.
Choosing an Appropriate Cashew Boiler Machine
Every factory that processes cashews has a certain maximum amount of cashew nuts that it can handle at one time. When choosing the boiler, it is important to take in mind both the overall requirements of the facility and the amount of nuts that will be processed. When choosing a cashew boiler, some important factors to take into consideration are as follows:
- The amount of nuts that need to be cooked in each hour.
- The number of steaming machines and the capacity of each machine’s individual batch that requires steam to be supplied. The necessity for a larger boiler arises in proportion to the size of the steaming machinery.
- The number of drying chambers and the amount of cashew kernels that each chamber is able to dry.
Distance from the boiler to each of the aforementioned machines: the larger the distance, the bigger the amount of steam pipe that is necessary, as well as the greater the amount of steam that is lost along the route.
Before deciding on a boiler, you need to perform an in-depth analysis of the factors mentioned above. Another thing that many cashew processors take into consideration is the potential for future development of the cashew factory as well as the timeline for its implementation. If the cashew processors anticipate an imminent addition to the factory, it is recommended that this projected expansion be incorporated into the process of selecting the boiler for the new space. This will help save a significant amount of money and also save on the cost of the power.