Simulation of a Rice Mill Process

A rice mill plant with a capacity of 3 t h−1 was constructed with automated facilities at Chonnam National University in Korea. A simulation model was developed with the simulation language for alternative modelling (SLAM) for evaluating and improving the rice mill process. The developed model was validated in relation to hulling efficiency, milling efficiency, milled rice recovery, other materials produced, and flow restrictions in the processes. The hulling efficiency, milling efficiency and milled rice recovery in the simulation were, respectively, 81·1, 89·5, and 73·1%, while those of the actual mill plant were, respectively, 81·5, 90·2, and 73·5%. The simulation results include the contents of other materials (chaff, bran, broken rice and stone) produced in the processes were almost similar with those of the actual process. In the simulation, the flow restrictions were found in the processes for separating brown rice and for sorting coloured rice and needed an increase in the hourly capacities of the brown rice separator and the rice colour sorter. As the automated rice mill plant was described by the developed model, it could be used for designing and improving rice mill plants.