Ultra-Fine Grinding Production Line for Rice Protein at a Leading Thai Food Ingredients Company

Project Background

The global plant-based food and wellness industries are growing rapidly. As a result, demand for high-quality rice protein has surged. This hypoallergenic and highly digestible plant protein is now widely used in infant formula, sports nutrition, and meal replacement products.

Thailand is a major global producer and exporter of rice. A leading local food ingredient manufacturer there wanted to bring its rice protein products to high-end international markets. However, they faced a challenge. If rice protein powder is not fine enough, it creates a noticeable “gritty texture” in beverages, which significantly ruins the taste.

The client needed to meet an ultra-fine requirement of 90 ≤16μm. At the same time, they had to ensure the protein would not denature from processing heat. To solve this, the client ultimately selected Epic Powder’s eco-friendly air jet milling rice protein ultra-fine grinding solution.

Project Overview and Challenges

Project Location: Thailand
Material Name: Rice Protein Powder
Feed Particle Size: 60 mesh
Finished Product Requirements: D90 ≤16μm (ultrafine grade, no gritty sensation upon consumption)
Core Equipment: Epic Powder Air Jet Mill
Solution: Epic Powder Air Jet Milling Rice Protein Ultra-fine Grinding System
To address the client’s stringent requirements, Epic Powder designed a customized closed-loop micro-powder production line centered around a supersonic air jet mill.

Core Technical Advantages:

Low-Temperature Grinding:

Utilizes the adiabatic expansion effect of compressed air as it is released through a nozzle to absorb heat from the grinding chamber. The entire grinding process takes place at room temperature or below, perfectly preserving the original nutritional content, bioactivity, and color of rice protein.
Vertical High-Precision Classification System:

The core classification wheel is made of all-ceramic material. On one hand, variable-frequency speed control enables precise interception and cutting at a D90 of 16 μm. On the other hand, it achieves “zero iron contamination,” ensuring food-grade purity.
High-Efficiency Impact Collision:

Driven by high-pressure airflow, the material undergoes high-speed self-collision (self-grinding) at the center of the grinding chamber, significantly reducing wear on the equipment’s inner walls and extending the equipment’s service life.

Project Outcomes and Customer Benefits