STUDY ON ROUGH RICE FISSURING DURING INTERMITTENT DRYING

Abstract

The Assuring of rough rice during intermittent drying was studied through experimental and numerical methods. The moisture distribution inside the rice kernel during drying and tempering was obtained by diffusion model. The moisture gradients were used to analyze the hydro stresses in the rice kernel during intermittent drying.

Discontinuing the drying process with tempering can decrease the hydro stresses in the rice kernel. Decreased unit drying time or increased intermittent ratio caused decrease of the stresses in the rice kernel during intermittent drying. Less fissured rice was also observed by discontinuing the drying process in the experiments. Higher intermittent ratio or lower unit drying time caused lower percentage of fissured rice in the experiments.     

Numerical approach to describe continuous and intermittent drying including the tempering period: Kinetics and spatial distribution of moisture

Continuous and intermittent drying experiments were performed with whole bananas, using hot air at 70°C. The intermittent drying experiments were performed with intermittency ratio equal to 1/2 and tempering times of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0?h. The conditions imposed to the experiments permitted to investigate the influence of these tempering times on the processes. A one-dimensional numerical solution of the diffusion equation coupled with an optimizer was used to determine the process parameters for four experiments. To describe the processes, a model was proposed. Model includes shrinkage, variable effective mass diffusivity, and two values for convective mass transfer coefficient (within and outside the dryer), enabling to consider moisture loss during the tempering period. For all experiments, the simulation of the drying kinetics has resulted in good statistical indicators. Proposed model also made it possible to predict moisture distributions during the entire processes, including the migration of moisture from the central part to the peripheral region of the cross section of the bananas, during the tempering period. The results indicated that, for the same effective operation time and intermittency ratio, increasing the tempering time implied moderate decrease in the final average moisture content.     

Multi-stage intermittent drying of rough rice in terms of tempering and stress cracking indices and moisture gradients interpretation

In this study, multi-stage intermittent drying (MSID) of rough rice is considered based on stress cracking index (SCI), tempering index (TI), and total drying/tempering duration for Hashemi and Koohsar varieties experimentally and theoretically. The samples were dried at 60°C for 20, 40, and 60?min and tempered at 60°C for 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, and 240?min after each drying stage. Afterward, the completion of the tempering process was assessed using the TI along with analysis of moisture content kinetics by a simplified drying model. For both varieties, the SCI decreased significantly until continuing the tempering operation to certain durations and increased for longer drying durations in each drying stage. Considering the SCI and the total drying/tempering duration, the tempering durations of 200 and 160?min after 40?min drying in each stage were determined as the best performed conditions for MSID of Hashemi and Koohsar varieties, respectively. The results achieved by the TI were in conformity with those obtained by the mathematical model. It was concluded that the TI and simulation of surface moisture content on a kernel could be applied for estimating the time required for supplementation of the tempering process to eliminate moisture content gradients created inside the kernels during the drying process.     

Stress fissuring and process duration during rough rice convective drying affected by continuous and stepwise changes in air temperature

During rough rice drying, gradients of moisture content and glass transition temperature cause thermal and mechanical stresses inside the kernel. These stresses eventuate to kernel fissuring during the milling process. In this study, convective drying of Hashemi (long grain) rough rice was applied to investigate the effect of continuous and stepwise changes in air temperature on stress cracking index and process duration. Toward this objective, the concepts of glass transition and analysis of moisture contents distributions within the rice kernel were determined through a numerical modeling of mass transfer. For stepwise temperature change, the drying experiments were conducted at temperatures above the glass transition temperature. Results indicated that the stress cracking index under stepwise temperature change conditions (i.e., within the rubbery state) was reduced compared to the continuous mode probably due to a drip in the moisture content gradients created inside the kernels during the drying process. Moreover, the drying duration significantly was shortened when the kernel was dried within the rubbery state due to faster diffusion moisture within the kernel.     

AN APPLICATION OF GLASS TRANSITION TEMPERATURE TO EXPLAIN RICE KERNEL FISSURE OCCURRENCE DURING THE DRYING PROCESS *

Fissure formation during rice drying is a major cause of rice milling quality reduction. This work has applied principles of polymer science in studying thermal and hygroscopic properties of rice kernels, particularly the glass transition temperature (T_g). This data was used to develop a hypothesis that explains the occurrence of rice kernel fissuring as a result of drying. The drying process was mapped onto a state diagram to illustrate the changes in state that a kernel could incur through drying and tempering operations. An experiment was designed to validate the hypothesis in which the effect of the T_g on rice drying and tempering in terms of milling quality was determined. Results showed that drying air temperatures up to 60°C and high moisture removal rates could be used without reducing the milling quality, as long as sufficient tempering was allowed at a temperature above the T_g of the rice.     

The Moisture Distribution of High Moisture Content Rough Rice During Harvesting, Storage, and Drying

The kernel moisture content (MC) distribution of five varieties of double season rice was tested during the process of harvesting, drying, and tempering. Significant kernel MC variance was found to exist within the panicle. Binodal kernel MC distribution frequency was found at harvest. The MC distribution of five varieties during harvesting and drying showed similar trend of uniformity. To investigate the mechanism of moisture transport among rice kernels under low temperature, the kernel MC distribution of rice planted in Northeastern China was also investigated after stacked for over one month under the temperature of -20°C. The moisture exchange among rice kernels was found greatly influenced by environmental factors.     

The Moisture Distribution of High Moisture Content Rough Rice During Harvesting,Storage, and Drying

Abstract

The kernel moisture content (MC) distribution of five varieties of double season rice was tested during the process of harvesting, drying, and tempering. Significant kernel MC variance was found to exist within the panicle. Binodal kernel MC distribution frequency was found at harvest. The MC distribution of five varieties during harvesting and drying showed similar trend of uniformity. To investigate the mechanism of moisture transport among rice kernels under low temperature, the kernel MC distribution of rice planted in Northeastern China was also investigated after stacked for over one month under the temperature of ?20°C. The moisture exchange among rice kernels was found greatly influenced by environmental factors.     

Simulation of Recirculating Circular Grain Dryer with Tempering Stage

The diiffusion model describing internal diiffusion of moisture within a grain kernel during drying and tempering stages was incorporated in the cross-flow drying model to simulate the recirculating circular grain dryer with drying and tempering stages. Experiments were conducted on an experimental prototype recirculating circular grain dryer for wheat and rough rice drying. The simulated grain temperature and moisture content were compared with the experimental data of drying wheat and rough rice, the maximum deviation of the outlet grain temperature was 5°C and the maximum deviation ofthe final grain moisture content was 0.3% w.b. The simulating program for recirculating circular grain dryer was used for analyzing the effects of structure parameters and hot air parameters on the dryer performance. Recommendations for design of the recirculating circular grain dryers are drawn from the experiments and simulation.     

Evolution of mechanical properties of parboiled brown rice kernels during impinging stream drying

Information on mechanical properties of parboiled brown rice kernels upon impinging stream drying, which is important for effective control of kernel fissure and head rice yield, is reported. Experiments were performed at the drying temperatures of 130, 150, and 170°C; inlet air velocity of 20?m/s; impinging distance of 5?cm and paddy feed rate of 40?kg_{dry_paddy}/h. Parboiled paddy was dried for up to seven cycles. Between each drying cycle, the paddy was tempered for a period of either 0 (without tempering) or 30?min. The moisture evaporation rate was noted to be very high during the first two drying cycles and rapidly dropped in the later drying cycles. When tempering was included after a particular drying cycle, the drying rate in a subsequent cycle was higher than without tempering. At the kernel moisture contents immediately after drying of 25.3–47.5% (d.b.), the drying temperature and existence of tempering did not affect the mechanical properties although microcracks were formed in the kernels. However, both factors played a more important role on the mechanical properties when the kernels were evaluated at 16% (d.b.). The head rice yield correlated well with the tensile strength of the kernels.     

AN APPLICATION OF GLASS TRANSITION TEMPERATURE TO EXPLAIN RICE KERNEL FISSURE OCCURRENCE DURING THE DRYING PROCESS*

Fissure formation during rice drying is a major cause of rice milling quality reduction. This work has applied principles of polymer science in studying thermal and hygroscopic properties of rice kernels, particularly the glass transition temperature (T_g ). This data was used to develop a hypothesis that explains the occurrence of rice kernel fissuring as a result of drying. The drying process was mapped onto a state diagram to illustrate the changes in state that a kernel could incur through drying and tempering operations. An experiment was designed to validate the hypothesis in which the effect of the T_g on rice drying and tempering in terms of milling quality was determined. Results showed that drying air temperatures up to 60°C and high moisture removal rates could be used without reducing the milling quality, as long as sufficient tempering was allowed at a temperature above the T_g of the rice.

     

DRYING SIMULATION OF CORN WITH TEMPERING

This work presents a dirTusion model and experimental investigation or com drying with tempering. The model solves numerically the dirTusion equation for a hygroscopic porous solid consisting of two concentric spheres (starchy endosperm and pericarp) with different shell thickness and relative resistances to moisture flow. Multipass drying was simulated to evaluate the effect of tempering on drying process. Predicted moisture profiles within the kernel were used to evaluate the actual time for complete tempering or tempering index. The effect of the initial moisture for tempering and the number of drying passes on the net drying time were analyzed. A mathematical expression was formulated to estimate the tempering index under different tempering conditions.     

DRYING SIMULATION OF CORN WITH TEMPERING

Abstract

This work presents a dirTusion model and experimental investigation or com drying with tempering. The model solves numerically the dirTusion equation for a hygroscopic porous solid consisting of two concentric spheres (starchy endosperm and pericarp) with different shell thickness and relative resistances to moisture flow. Multipass drying was simulated to evaluate the effect of tempering on drying process. Predicted moisture profiles within the kernel were used to evaluate the actual time for complete tempering or tempering index. The effect of the initial moisture for tempering and the number of drying passes on the net drying time were analyzed. A mathematical expression was formulated to estimate the tempering index under different tempering conditions.     

Modeling heat and mass transfer–induced stresses in germinated brown rice kernels during fluidized bed drying

A study of stress distribution inside a germinated brown rice (GBR) kernel during drying is important to understand the fissure formation of GBR and hence control the drying process in order to improve the quality of GBR. In this study, a finite element method performed in three dimensions in conjunction with the heat and mass balance of the drying system was developed to describe moisture, temperature, and stress distributions inside GBR kernels during fluidized bed drying. The modeling was carried out using the coupling of heat and mass transfer and validated with experimental data at 90–150°C. The results of moisture and temperature predictions agreed well with the experiments. During drying, tensile stress occurred at the layers close to surface and compressive stress occurred at the inner portion of a kernel. The tensile and compressive stresses increased to the highest value at about 30 s of drying, corresponding to the highest moisture gradient, and then decreased afterwards. The tensile and compressive stresses were higher at a higher drying temperature. These stress prediction results corresponded to the experiments, which show more severe GBR fissuring at higher drying temperatures.     

Effects of High-Temperature Fluidized Bed Drying and Tempering on Kernel Cracking and Milling Quality of Vietnamese Rice Varieties

Studies on the effects of high-temperature fluidized bed drying and tempering on physical properties and milling quality of two long-grain freshly harvested Vietnamese rice varieties, A10 (32±1% wet basis moisture) and OM2717 (24.5±0.5% wet basis moisture), were undertaken. Rice samples were fluidized bed dried at 80 and 90°C for 2.5 and 3.0 min, then tempered at 75 and 86°C for up to 1 h, followed by final drying to below 14% moisture (wet basis) at 35°C by thin-layer drying method. Head rice yield significantly improved with extended tempering time to 40 min. Head rice yield tended to increase with decreasing cracked (fissured) kernels. The hardness and stiffness of sound fluidized bed dried rice kernels (in the range of 30–55 N and 162–168 N/mm, respectively) were higher than that of conventionally dried ones (thin layer dried at 35°C). The color of milled rice was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by high-temperature fluidized bed drying, but the absolute change in the value was very small.     

THEORETICAL STUDY OF INTERMITTENT DRYING (TEMPERING) IN PROLATE SPHEROIDAL BODIES

The process of intermittent drying in prolate spheroidal bodies was simulated assuming liquid diffusion to be the sole mass transport process, a constant diffusion coefficient and equilibrium conditions at the surface. The mass diffusion equation in a prolate spheroidal coordinate system was used for a two-dimensional case. Due to the use of a dimensionless coordinate system, a Fourier number for tempering is defined, in order to determine the dimensionless time required to achieve a flat moisture content profile. Assuming that the drying process is stopped only once at a fixed point, the tempering Fourier number was determined for aspect ratios of 1.1, 2.0 and 5.0. Many cases were studied, changing the tempering Fourier and aspect ratio of the body. Focusing on the drying rate, the effect of one, two and four drying passes was studied for different interruption points in the process and aspect ratios of 1.1, 2.0 and 5.0, in all cases using the continuous process as a comparison. From the numerical results it was found that during the tempering process, the drying rate and the final mean moisture content are affected by the tempering Fourier number, multipass drying and geometrical dimensions of the body.     

Differences between constant and intermittent drying in surf clam: Dynamics of water mobility and distribution study

Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) has been increasingly popular as analytical tools for evaluating the dynamics of water mobility and distribution. In this study, dynamics of moisture mobility and constitution of surf clam during constant drying process and intermittent drying process were evaluated by LF-NMR, while the differences of physical and chemical indexes were measured. Intermittent drying improved the product quality of clam, such as moisture content, shear force, color indices, sugar content, peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid value, and the bulk water ratio, which were closely related with moisture distribution and microstructure. The moisture constitution of constant drying process and intermittent drying process were distinctly different. Tempering process reduced drying time and resulted in lower moisture content in dried surf clam. In the meanwhile, the boundary between A₂₁ and A₂₂ was acquired by LF-NMR, revealed that bound water and immobilized water transformed from each other. During tempering process, the myofibril stretched out, verifying that moisture approached a relatively homogeneous. In addition, R² value reached 0.9897 and 0.9926 for calibration and validation, respectively, displaying good linear correlations between the T₂₁ parameters and moisture content. This study interpreted the dynamics of water mobility and distribution on the proton level to explain the reason that tempering processes to improve physicochemical indexes of surf clam.     

EFFECT OF TEMPERING ON SUBSEQUENT DRYING OF PADDY USING FLUIDISATION TECHNIQUE

Drying and tempering models for paddy drying by a fluidised bed technique have been developed to describe the moisture movement inside a single paddy kernel. The grain shape was considered as a finite cylinder. The internal diffusion is an important contribution to control the drying rate of paddy. The dependence of effective diffusion coefficient on drying temperature can be adequately explained based on Arrhenius form. The parameters of this equation were evaluated in the range of temperatures between 110°C and 170°C by using the regression analysis with 189 experimental drying data. As compared with no tempering, the faster drying rate can be obtained by tempering treatment between drying stages. The effect of degrees of tempering on determining the moisture reduction in the second stage has also been explored. According to the simulation results, a prediction equation of the required tempering time for the tempering index of 0.95 has been established in which the drying air temperature, initial moisture content and drying time are taken into account. The tempering time for 35 min is recommended for the continuous fluidised bed dryers being operated in rice mills.     

Drying Characteristics of Malaysian Paddy: Kinetics & Grain Cracking Quality

Drying kinetics of Malaysian paddy dried in a laboratory scale batch rapid bin dryer was studied. Quality of paddy after drying at temperatures of 60 and 80°C, bed heights of 2 and 4 cm, and at different drying stages was presented in terms of cracking percentage. Moisture content of paddy reduced exponentially with time and became stable at equilibrium moisture content. Characteristic drying rate curves exhibited mainly falling rate period, with an induction period in deep beds, but without the constant rate period. A custom-made light box was built to visually analyze the cracking in paddy kernel. The extent of breakage is directly related to the crack percentage. The percentage of cracks increased with drying and tempering temperatures and was higher after 2 weeks of storage before milling. Bed heights did not significantly affect the head rice yield as much as tempering between two drying stages. Temperatures above 80°C caused severe cracking in paddy kernel and produced miserable yield of head rice after milling, which could be slightly improved by tempering. The use of a proper miller is also important in ensuring good head yield results and whiteness quality.     

Drying Characteristics of Malaysian Paddy: Kinetics & Grain Cracking Quality

Abstract

Drying kinetics of Malaysian paddy dried in a laboratory scale batch rapid bin dryer was studied. Quality of paddy after drying at temperatures of 60 and 80°C, bed heights of 2 and 4 cm, and at different drying stages was presented in terms of cracking percentage. Moisture content of paddy reduced exponentially with time and became stable at equilibrium moisture content. Characteristic drying rate curves exhibited mainly falling rate period, with an induction period in deep beds, but without the constant rate period. A custom-made light box was built to visually analyze the cracking in paddy kernel. The extent of breakage is directly related to the crack percentage. The percentage of cracks increased with drying and tempering temperatures and was higher after 2 weeks of storage before milling. Bed heights did not significantly affect the head rice yield as much as tempering between two drying stages. Temperatures above 80°C caused severe cracking in paddy kernel and produced miserable yield of head rice after milling, which could be slightly improved by tempering. The use of a proper miller is also important in ensuring good head yield results and whiteness quality.     

Germinated Brown Rice Drying by Hot Air Fluidization Technique

Germinated brown rice containing moisture content of 52% dry basis (db) needs to be dried in a reasonable time in order to prevent the growth of microorganisms. Fluidized bed drying is a possible method because this drying technique provides a high mass and heat transfer rate and high-temperature drying can be used. However, such a high-performance dryer may affect the quality of the finished product. The effect of fluidized bed drying temperatures (90, 110, 130, and 150°C) on the quality of germinated brown rice, that is, cooked rice textural property, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) level, fissured grain, and microorganisms was therefore investigated. The germinated brown rice was dried to the moisture contents of 18–20% (db), tempered for 30 min, and ventilated by ambient air until the sample moisture content reached 13–15% (db). The experimental results showed that the drying rate increased with increasing drying temperature. The high drying rate, in particular drying at 130°C or higher, caused severe fissuring on the kernel and this fissuring subsequently affected the cooked rice shape and textural property of rice; that is, hardness. The GABA contents of germinated brown rice insignificantly changed with drying temperatures and did not depend on the rice varieties. The populations of attached bacteria, yeast, and mold on the surface of the dried samples were less than 10⁴ colony-forming units (CFU)/g, which is safe for food.