Grading the Wheat

Wheat is received and inspected at the flour mill. Samples of wheat are taken for physical and chemical analysis. The wheat is graded based on several factors, the most important of which is the protein content. The wheat is stored in silos with wheat of the same grade until milling.

Before wheat can be ground into flour it must be free of foreign matter. This requires several different cleaning processes. At each step of purification the wheat is inspected and purified again if necessary.

The first device used to purify wheat is known as a separator. This machine passes the wheat over a series of metal screens. The wheat and other small particles pass through the screen while large objects such as sticks and rocks are removed.

The wheat next passes through an aspirator. This device works like a vacuum cleaner. The aspirator sucks up foreign matter which is lighter than the wheat and removes it.

Other foreign objects are removed in various ways. One device, known as a disk separator, moves the wheat over a series of disks with indentations that collect objects the size of a grain of wheat. Smaller or larger objects pass over the disks and are removed.

III. Answer the questions.

1. What happens at the flour mill?

2. What is the most important factor of wheat grading?

3. How is wheat stored?

4. What is necessary for grinding wheat into flour?

5. What is the first wheat purifying device?

6. What is an aspirator?

7. What does a disk separator do?

IV. Find English equivalents.

Образцы пшеницы; химический анализ; пшеница сортируется; содержание протеина; хранится в силосе; свободный от примесей; различные процессы очищения; на каждой стадии очищения; если необходимо; пропускает пшеницу через серию металлических фильтров; всасывает примеси; по размеру с зерно пшеницы; проходят через диски.

V. Complete the sentences and translate them.

1. A separator purifies …

2. A disk separator moves the wheat …

3. An aspirator works like a …

4. Wheat must be free of …

5. The wheat is graded …

6. At each step of purification …

7. The aspirator sucks up …

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