rice hulling machine

Types of rice hulling machines

A rice hulling machine removes husk or shell from harvested rice paddy. It is the first step in processing rice. Rice hulling machines can be categorized as traditional and modern machines based on how they work and features.

• Traditional rice hulling machines

  Traditional rice hulling machines used stone mortars and pestles to hull rice. Core components of the machines include a mortar where rice is placed and hulling pestle driven by an electric motor. The mortar can be vertical or horizontal, and modern versions may include a drum.

  During the hulling process, the stone pestle strikes the rice in the mortar. Striking rice causes the husks to detach from the grain. The process may be repeated a few times until all the hulls are detached. The grounds are then collected for further processing.

  Mortar and pestle rice hulling machines have their advantages and downsides. For instance, they are easy to use and install. However, they have low production capacity. Users have to oversee the process in order to get the desired output. They are also unsuitable for processing large-scale rice production.

• Modern rice hulling machines

  Modern rice hulling machines use air, rubber rollers or a combination of both to remove hulls. They have improved production capacity, efficiency and automation compared to traditional machines. More importantly, modern machines can remove 60% to 90% of the hulls in a single operation.

  Modern hulling machines are subdivided into the following categories:

  • Air-suction huller:

    An air-suction rice huller uses pre-set air pressure to remove the rice hulls. It comprises an air-blower, rice inlets and a cyclone separator. Rice is first fed into the machine using an elevator. Air pressure in the blower is then set to a certain level. When the air pressure is high enough, the rice hulls are separated from the grains and sucked into the separator. The grains fall into the collector below while the hulls are collected into a dust bag.

  • Rubber roller rice huller:

    This machine uses two rubber rollers to remove rice hulls. The first roller hulls the rice while the second one whisks the detached hulls away. Rubber roller rice hullers have two configurations: double and single roller hullers. The double roller huller has two pairs of rubber rollers, while the single roller huller has one pair of rubber rollers. Single roller rubber hullers are more common in smaller rice milling plants.

  • Combined rice hullers:

    Combined rice hullers use rubber rollers and air to separate hulls. They are installed in medium and large rice milling plants.

  Modern rice hulling machines have better production capacity. They are also more efficient and easy to use. Operators can use them for paddy rice Oryza sativa and rough rice processing. The hulling rate and yield of these machines are also higher. However, the machines are expensive due to the advanced technology used in their manufacturing.

Specifications & Maintenance of Rice Hulling Machines

Typically, the rice huller machine's specifications include the following aspects.

• Production Capacity: The average paddy rice huller machine produces rice at a specific speed per hour. This speed can depend on the machine's size, design, and power.
• Power: Rice hulling machines use different power sources, including electric motors, diesel engines, etc. The machine's power is usually measured in kilowatts (Kw) or horsepower (HP).
• Machine Size: This includes the height, width, and depth of the rice huller machine. It is usually indicated in meters or millimeters.
• Machine Weight: A small rice huller can weigh a few hundred kilograms, while larger, more advanced models weigh up to 10,000 kilograms or more.
• Hulling Rate: The hulling rate is the percentage of hulled rice obtained after processing paddy rice. Some rice huller machines achieve higher hulling rates than others.

Like any other machine, a rice huller machine needs maintenance. Regular maintenance keeps the machine functioning properly, increases its efficiency, and prolongs its lifespan. Here are some key maintenance tips for a rice huller machine.

• One should clean the rice huller machine regularly to remove dust, dirt, and rice particles. Regular cleaning helps to prevent clogs and contamination in the final rice product.
• Frequently check for signs of wear and tear on the machine. Replace any worn or damaged parts to prevent further damage and maintain smooth operations.
• Regularly grease and oil moving parts of the rice huller machine as per the manufacturer's guidelines. Lubrication reduces friction, making it easy for parts to move together. It also prevents premature wear of the machine's components.
• Regularly calibrate the rice huller machine to ensure it is properly set to achieve maximum hulling efficiency with minimal rice breakage. Maintaining the right adjustment also improves the quality of the processed rice.
• Users should operate the rice huller machine at the recommended power settings to avoid overworking the motor and other parts. Operating at the recommended power helps to prevent premature wear and tear from overheating.
• Keep spare parts for the rice huller machine. Spare parts may include belts, blades, filters, and electric parts, among others. Using genuine spare parts improves the machine's performance and maintains its hulling efficiency.

Scenarios of rice hulling machines

Agriculture

Farmers and agricultural enterprises use rice hulling machines to process their rice on-site. It reduces transportation costs and adds value directly on the farm.

Food processing

Rice hulling machines are used in large-scale food processing companies to produce rice and other rice-based products. They are integrated into automated production lines to efficiently process large quantities of rice.

Commercial milling

Rice hulling machines are commonly used in commercial milling operations. Large-scale rice millers use them to process rice for sale in domestic and international markets.

Specialized rice products

Some companies produce specialized rice products, such as brown rice, rice flour, or rice bran oil. They use rice hulling machines to hull the rice and obtain the desired end products.

Ecotourism and cooking schools

At some ecotourism sites or culinary schools, whole grains of rice are harvested and processed for educational purposes or to produce on-site organic rice products. Rice hulling machines can be used in these contexts to demonstrate the rice milling process or produce freshly hulled rice for consumption or sale.

Export-oriented agriculture

In countries where rice is a major export, efficient rice hulling machines are crucial for maintaining competitive export standards by ensuring quality milling and packaging of rice products.

How to choose rice hulling machines

Below are some tips for buyers when selecting rice hulling machines for sale.

• Determine the desired milling yield: When choosing a rice huller machine for purchase, buyers should determine the desired milling yield. Different rice hulling machines offer varying milling yields. Depending on the buyer's business objective, it is essential to select a machine that offers the preferred milling yield.
• Consider the machine's capacity: Rice hulling machines come in different capacities. When selecting rice hullers for sale, buyers should target an audience that prefers machines with specific capacities. Those targeting small-scale rice processors can opt for low-capacity rice hulling machines such as the Dhuppar. Conversely, buyers whose target market is large capacity processors should go for high-capacity machines like the modern automated huller.
• Ease of operation: Buyers should choose rice hulling machines that are easy to operate. Such machines come with user-friendly controls and well-defined manual guidelines. Additionally, buyers should choose rice hulling machines with semi-automatic and automatic modes. Such options allow the operators' smooth and effortless hulling processes.
• Consider maintenance requirements: While selecting rice hulling machines to buy, buyers should consider the maintenance requirements of different models. Good maintenance is important for optimum performance and prolonging the machine's life. For more convenience, buyers should choose machines that have straightforward maintenance needs and are easy to clean and maintain.
• Durability and build quality: Buyers should select rice hulling machines characterized by sturdy build and high durability. Maintenance and replacement can be costly, so it is better to invest in rice hulling machines that can withstand frequent use over the years without wearing out or breaking down.
• Power requirements: Different rice hulling machines have different power requirements. Depending on the audience a buyer targets, they can opt for a model with set power requirements. For instance, buyers looking for machines for small-scale processing might settle for models with low-power requirements. Such requirements are feasible in rural and remote areas where access to electricity is a challenge.
• Cost and budget considerations: When buying rice hulling machines, buyers should determine their budget and set limits. Most vendors try to haggle and look for affordable products that will give them a good profit margin. While pricing is an important factor, buyers must prioritize quality even when choosing affordable machines. Cheap machines that are of poor quality eventually have high replacement and maintenance costs.
• Supplier's reputation: A buyer should always choose a reputable supplier and manufacturer. Unreputable suppliers and producers may fail to offer adequate support during installation, delivery, and after-sales services. A good supplier will provide hullers with lengthy warranties and ensured customer satisfaction when dealing with delicate and large-scale industrial equipment.

Rice Hulling Machine Q&A

Q1: How does a rice hulling machine work?

A1: The rice hulling machine works by hull separation after the deprecation of hulls. The rice huller machine comprises several elements that work together to move the rice around, applying different impacts and pressures. The typical elements include a rubber roller, a concave, a compressor, and many more. The rice is initially shelled in some rice huller machines, which are then separated further in the milling machines.

Q2: How many different types of rice hulling machines are there?

A2: There are three main types of rice huller machines: modern, traditional, and automated. Traditional rice hulling machines use wood and steel parts to hull rice, but they have largely been replaced by modern technology. Some modern rice huller machines use water to increase the yield further; such machines are called wet huller rice mills.

Q3: What are the main features of a rice hulling machine?

A3: The main features of a rice hulling machine include: easily hulling rice up to 90% with no more than 10% of rice millet being un-hulled; separating millet and rice through easily developed methods without sophisticated technology or any electricity requirement; being affordable and easily mass-produced; and/or being manufacturable with readily available materials such as rubber and ceramic.