Cleaning seeds by fluidization

Abstract The techniques of separation by air are briefly discussed followed by a closer study of the phenomenon of fluidization. Guidelines for effective fluidization of seeds are presented. Two batch systems and one continuous system were used to examine the classification of six types of vegetable seed. The results from tests in one of the batch systems are presented in terms of weight per 100 seeds and their germination rate. The air flow required to achieve this classification was measured experimentally and is compared with the theoretical predictions of various authors. A simplified formula is derived suited to vegetable seeds fluidized in air which will predict air flow rates to within ±15%. Finally, the results of tests with the continuous flow machine are discussed briefly and several potential applications proposed.