Physical Properties of Rice Hull and Straw for the Handling Facilities

This study was performed to determine the physical properties of rice hull and straw which could be used for an optimum design and operation of the handling facilities for these rice crop by-products. The properties measured were kinetic friction coefficient , bulk density, and dynamic and static angle of repose. Rice hulls with moisture content of 13% and 21% were used throughout the test while rice straws of 10% and 16% moisture were chopped into 10mm length and used for the test. Friction coefficient was calculated from the horizontal traction forces measurement when a container holding the mass of rice hull and straw was pulled over mild steel. PVC, stainless steel, and galvanized steel surface by a universal testing machine. Bulk density was measured by an apparatus consisting of filling fundel and a receiving vessel. Dynamic angle of repose which is the angle at which the material will stand when piled was calculated from the photos of bulk samples after they were flowed by gravity and accumulated on a circular surface. Static angle of repose which is the angle between the horizontal and the sloping side of the material left in the container when discharging was also measured in the similar way. Results and conclusions from this study are summarized as follows . 1. Kinetic friction coefficient of both rice hull and straw were in the range of 0.26 -0.52 and increased with the moisture content. The magnitude of friction increased in the order of galvanized steel, stainless steel, PVC ,and mild steel. 2. Bulk densities of rice hull decreased while those of rice straw increased with moisture content increase . Average bulk densities of rice hull and straw were 96.8 and 74.7kg/㎥, respectively. 3. Average dynamic angle of repose for rice straw was 32.6$^{\circ}$ and those for 13% and 21% moisture rice hull were 38.9$^{\circ}$ and 44.9$^{\circ}$ , respectively. 4. Static angles of repose for both rice hull and straw showed increase with the moisture content. The values were 75.2\ulcorner and 80.2$^{\circ}$ for 13% and 21% moisture rice hull, respectively. Rice straws having 10% and 16% moisture content showed 87.3% and 89.2$^{\circ}$ static angle of repose, respectively.