Experimental analysis on the technical behavior of carbon black filled rubber blends' rollers for rice husk removal application

摘要

In rice husk removal processes, the rubber rollers are used to produce white rice kernels. Paddies are fed between two rubber rollers and the removal of husk takes place due to high friction generated between the paddy layer and outer surface of rubber rollers. Husk removal application involves rubber compounds with promising physico-mechanical properties. Small scale rice mills in Tamil Nadu, India face problems in periodic replacement of rubber rollers due to poor service life. Based on the survey, it was found that the rubber compounds with high hardness lead to efficient husk removal and at the same time cause breakage of rice. Employing soft rubber eliminates the breakage of rice, but on the other hand the sharp corners of paddy damage the rubber. This research work focuses on the development of rubber compounds for effective rice husk removal application. Carbon black filled, pure and blends of natural rubber (NR), acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) are developed. Mechanical properties and lab scale rice husk separation studies are conducted for the developed rubber compounds. The ENR-NBR blends prove to be suitable materials for husk removal application.