Comparison of some engineering properties of common cereal grains in Nigeria.

Aremu, David Olufemi; Babajide, Nathaniel Akinrinde; Ogunlade, Clement Adesoji

Abstract

Most cereal crops grown in Nigeria are subjected to local processing and post harvest handling activities which is considered very tasking, laborious and generally leads to a low output. The study of the engineering properties of these crops will give the engineers. The objective of this study was to determine some engineering properties (including angle of repose, bulk density, porosity, particle density and the coefficient of friction) of rice, wheat, maize and millet grown in Nigeria as this will help to develop appropriate technologies for the post harvest handling of cereals. The Engineering properties were determined in compliance with ASAE Standard S352.1 (1984) and the coefficient of friction was obtained using a tilting table and three different structural surfaces (glass, plywood and stainless steel). Results obtained showed a bulk density ranging from 563-795.3 kg/m3 for rice and wheat respectively, the true density ranges from 970.1-1390.5 kg/m3 for maize and wheat respectively. Significant difference was observed for the porosity of the grains which ranges from 30.37 to 50.22 % for maize and rice respectively. Coefficient of friction of the grains on glass, stainless steel and plywood ranges from 0.37 to 0.47 with the least values on glass and highest values on plywood, this implies that an angle above 480 is suitable for hopper construction to enable the grains slide and roll down easily.

Citation

AREMU, D.O., BABAJIDE, N.A. and OGUNLADE, C.A. 2014. Comparison of some engineering properties of common cereal grains in Nigeria. International journal of engineering and science invention [online], 3(4), pages 10-14. Available from: https://www.ijesi.org/papers/Vol(3)4/Version-1/C0341010014.pdf

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 26, 2013
• Online Publication Date: Apr 5, 2014
• Publication Date: Apr 30, 2014
• Deposit Date: Sep 6, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 6, 2024
• Journal: International journal of engineering and science invention
• Print ISSN: 2319-6734
• Electronic ISSN: 2319-6726
• Publisher: International Journal of Engineering Science Invention (IJESI)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 3
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 10-14
• Keywords: Bulk density; True density; Porosity; Angle of repose; Coefficient of friction
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2452155
• Publisher URL: https://www.ijesi.org/v3i4(version-1).html