Chickpea Flour Grinding Case - SLA-15 Air Classifier Mill for 100 Mesh Besan

For a recent chickpea flour project, our customer needed to process whole, dehulled chickpeas into fine chickpea flour with a final fineness of over 100 mesh. The required production capacity was approximately 80 kg/h. Based on the raw material, required fineness and production capacity, we proposed two grinding solutions for comparison: an SLA series air classifier mill and an SLU series grinder combined with an additional screening machine. The final choice of the customer is the SLA-15 model air classifier mill, here we will analyze this chickpeas flour grinding case and explain the selection reason for you.

I. Customer Background Introduction

This customer operates a food processing plant, with a new purchase need for chickpea flour grinding equipment. His key production requirements are as follows:

II. Two Grinding Solutions We Proposed

After analyzing the customer's production requirements, we provided two grinding solutions for them to choose from.

Option 1: SLA-15 Air Classifier Mill

The first option was the SLA-15 air classifier mill. An air classifier mill combines grinding and air classification in one system. During operation, the grinding section reduces the chickpeas to fine flour, while the built-in classifier separates particles according to their aerodynamic size. This type grinder is especially suitable for fine powder grinding need, the required fineness could be achieved within one grinding and classification process. Usually there is no need of adding a separate screening and return-grinding stage for 100 mesh chickpeas flour production.

Option 2: SLU-400 + Sifting Machine

The second option used an SLU-400 powder grinder together with an additional powder sifting machine. In this configuration, the SLU-400 grinder first grinds the chickpeas into 60-120 mesh flour. Then the 60-120 mesh flour fall into the sifting machine(100 mesh sieve inside the machine) put under the discharge port of the SLU-400 model grinder. Fine flour passing 100 mesh are the final products, coarse flour will return to the SLU-400 grinder for the repeated grinding until the size can pass 100 mesh sieve.

This configuration(the design shown in below picture) is also a practical way to produce fine chickpea flour, particularly when a conventional grinder is preferred. However, it requires additional equipment and material circulation compared with the air classifier mill solution.

III. Why the Customer Chose the SLA-15

After comparing the two grinding solutions(see the comparison table below), the customer chose the SLA-15 air classifier mill. The main consideration was not simply the initial machine price, but the overall grinding performance and process configuration. 

Comparison Table for Your Reference:

For this application, the SLA-15 could grind and classify the dehulled chickpeas to the required 100+ mesh fineness in one process, while the SLU solution required an additional screening stage and return of the coarse material. The SLA-15 had a slightly higher purchase cost, but the customer considered its finer grinding performance, smaller footprint and simpler process worthwhile for this application.

IV. Conclusion for This Case

This case demonstrates why an air classifier mill can be a practical choice for fine chickpea flour production. When the target is only moderate fineness, a conventional grinder plus sifting machine may provide a cost-effective process. But when the customer requires 100 mesh chickpea flour, the SLA air classifier mill can combine grinding and classification in one system, reducing the need for separate screening and coarse-powder return.

If there is any need for the chickpea/besan flour grinding solution, welcome to contact Salinovate team to get your special grinding proposal.