A mini rice processing machine for Nigerian farmers
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2012
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Association of Agricultural Technology in Southeast Asia (AATSEA)
Abstract
The rice milling plant is developed to solve the problem associated with the manual processing
of locally produced rice (OFADA RICE), particularly the removal of pebbles and other
impurities from the rice. The machine consists majorly of two stages: dehulling and sieving.
The dehuller consists of rotary cylindrical sieve which separates the chaff from the rice grains
via the shaft and blade. Impact method was adopted for the removal of husk from the rice
paddy. After milling the paddy rice, it passes through a vibrating sieve machine where a crank
mechanism converts rotary motion into a reciprocating movement of the sieve bed. The
vibrating sieve removes the chaffs and the pebbles from the rice grains. The performance tests
conducted on the machine showed that the dehuller effectiveness reduced with increase in
number of paddy rice fed into it, while the sieve shaker optimum yield occurs at a maximum
stroke of 40. It was discovered that a minimum output shaft speed of 900 rpm transmitted by a
v-belt drove by an electric motor of 3.5 hp which is required for the effective performance of
the vibrating sieve. Mild steel was used majorly for the fabrication of component parts for ease
of machining, assembling, maintenance and affordability. The plant would reduce the
hazardous health implication currently experienced when eating locally produced rice. It would
reduce the cost of labour and also enhance the economic status of the peasant farmers in
Nigeria.
Description
Keywords
dehuller, impact method, oryza sativa, paddy, pebbles, sieving