Equipment Required for a Coffee Green Bean Processing Plant
The equipment needed for a coffee processing plant (green bean preparation) varies depending on the processing method (washed, natural, honey, etc.) and scale of production. However, the essential equipment generally includes the following categories:
1. Coffee Cherry Processing Equipment
Floatation Tank/Float Separator: Used to separate unripe, overripe, or defective cherries (floaters) from good-quality cherries (sinkers).
Pulping Machine (Pulper): Removes the outer skin of coffee cherries (used in washed and honey processing).
Washer: Removes mucilage (for washed processing).
Fermentation Tanks/Pools (for washed process): Used to ferment and remove residual mucilage.
Washing Channels/Washers: Rinses the demucilaged beans (washed process).
2. Drying Equipment
Drying Beds/Patios (for natural process): Used for sun-drying cherries or parchment coffee.
Mechanical Dryers (for rainy seasons or large-scale production): Such as gas/electric dryers with temperature and humidity control.
Bean Turners/Rakes: For manual or mechanical turning to ensure even drying.
3. Hulling & Grading Equipment
Huller/Removes the dried parchment layer to produce green coffee beans.
Gravity Separator: Sorts beans by density to separate defects.
Color Sorter: Uses optical sorting to remove defective beans (e.g., black beans, fermented beans).
Sizing Sorter: Grades beans by size (e.g., AA, AB).
4. Storage & Packaging Equipment
Storage Bins/Bags: For storing dried parchment or green coffee.
Vacuum Packing Machine (optional): For specialty coffee preservation.
Weighing & Sealing Machines: For commercial packaging (e.g., 25kg/60kg jute bags).
5. Auxiliary Equipment
Generator (essential in areas with unstable electricity).
Water Treatment System (required for washed processing, which uses large amounts of water).
Lab Equipment(e.g., moisture analyzers, sample roasters, cupping tools for quality control).
Different Equipment Required according to different Processing Method
Natural (Dry) Process| Floatation tank, drying beds, huller, color sorter |
| Washed Process** | Pulper, washer, fermentation tanks, washing channels, dryer |
| Honey Process** | Pulper (retains some mucilage), drying beds/dryer |
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Additional Notes
– Small-scale farms may rely more on manual methods (e.g., hand-pulping, sun-drying), while large factories use full mechanization.
– In eco-sensitive regions, wastewater treatment systems are necessary (especially for washed processing).
If you need specific equipment models or supplier recommendations, please provide further details (e.g., production capacity, budget).