Effect of Rollers Differential Speed and Paddy Moisture Content on Performance of Rubber Roll Husker

Abstract

This study was carried out at the Rice Research Institute of Iran (RRII) to investigate the effect of rollers differential peripheral speed of
commercial rubber roll husker and paddy moisture content on the husking index and percentage of broken rice. The experiment was conducted at
six levels of rollers differential speed (1.5, 2.2, 2.9, 3.6, 4.3 and 5 m s-1) and three levels of paddy moisture content (8-9, 10-11 and 12-13% w.b.).
Two common paddy varieties, namely Binam and Khazer, were selected for this study. Results revealed that the effect of rollers differential speed
and moisture content significantly (P<0.01) affected percentage of broken brown rice and paddy husking index. Average broken kernel percentage
increased from 13 to 14.61% while husking index decreased from 71.64 to 61.81%, as paddy moisture content increased from 8-9 to 12-13%. It was
observed that amount of broken rice decreased from 18.83 to 9.97%, when rollers differential speed varied from 1.5 to 5 m s-1, while the husking
index initially increased and then started to decrease. The mean value of husking index for Khazar variety (64.71%) was significantly lower than
that for Binam variety (69.2%). It was concluded that rollers differential speed of 2.9 m s-1 and moisture content of 8-9% was the most appropriate
combination for paddy husking of Binam and Khazar varieties in rubber roll husker.