Physical and aerodynamic properties of rough rice and corn: effect of moisture content and grain type

The physical and aerodynamic properties of grain are very necessary in the development of pneumatic grain handling. These properties are influenced by moisture content and grain type. This study aimed to investigate the effect of moisture content and grain type on the physical and aerodynamic properties of rough rice and corn. In this study, three types of rough rice and corn, each in three levels of moisture contents were investigated. A completely randomized design, factorial 3 × 3 was used in the research. It was found that the physical properties consisting of major diameter (a), intermediate diameter (b), minor diameter (c), grain volume (Vp), grain weight (mp), particle density (γp) and frontal area (Ap), and the aerodynamic properties consisting of terminal velocity (Vt), drag coefficient (Cd), drag force (Fd), and buoyant force (Fb) for both rough rice and corn were significantly affected by moisture content and grain type (p<0.05). It was also found that none of the evaluated equations could predict measured Vt accurately within the range of moisture content studied. Therefore, the use of theoretical equations to predict Vt should be done carefully. © 2024, Int. Comm. of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. All rights reserved.