Specific Mechanical Energy (SME)

Specific mechanical energy (SME) is the amount of mechanical energy (work)

dissipated as heat inside the material, expressed per unit mass of the material.
Specifically, it is the work input from the drive motor into the material being
extruded and thus provides a good characterization of the extrusion process. SME
is also an important process parameter influencing the final product characteristics
such as solubility, extrudate density, expansion index, hard- ness, etc. SME values
indicate the extent of molecular breakdown or degradation the material undergoes
during the extrusion process [1].

SME is strongly dependent on the process conditions such as screw speed, barrel
temperature, moisture content, feed composition, and screw configuration. All of
these affect the viscosity of the material and the flow field inside the screw
channels [1].

( 1000 ) ( )

( ) =

: %
0 : %
: ()

: ( )

: (/)

[2]

2 ()( )
( )=


(); ( ) ; ()
min
[3]

2 (60)
( ) =

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: ()
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[4]

(% %)( )( )
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[1]

[1] S. Gadavart; M. V. Karme. (1997). Determination of specific mechanical energy

distribution on a twin-screw extruder. J . agric . Engng Res . (1997) 67 , 277
287.

[2] B. Lamsal. J. Yoo. (2010). Extrusion as a thermomechanical pretreatment for

lignocelullosic ethanol Biomass & bioenergy. 34. 1703-1710.

[3] Y. K. Chang. Martnez Bustos. (1999). The influence of specific mechanical

energy on cornmeal viscosity measured by on-line system during twin-screw
extrusion. Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering.

[4]. Tim Baksa, Frans H.J. Kappen, Anja E.M. Janssena, Remko M. Booma (2008)
Towards an optimal process for gelatinisation and hydrolysis of highly
concentrated starchwater mixtures with alpha-amylase from B. licheniformis
Journal of Cereal Science 47, 214225