Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze turbidity and quality characteristics of white rice as a function of main shaft blast velocity and to verify the optimum processing conditions in the cutting type white rice processing system (CTWRPS). Methods: Sindongjin, one of the rice varieties, which used to be produced in Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do, in 2015, was used as the experimental material. Turbidity and quality characteristics of white rice were measured at three different main shaft blast velocities: 25, 30, and 35 m/s. The amount of test material used for a single experiment was 20 kg, and after processing, whiteness was found to be $42.5{\pm}0.5$, following which, turbidity and quality characteristics were measured. Results: Turbidity decreased with increase in the shaft blast velocity, and as a result, was lowest at 35 m/s of shaft blast velocity among all the other experiment velocities. The trend of cracked rice ratios was similar to the turbidity. Broken rice ratio turned out to be less than 2.0% in all the test conditions. In the first stage of processing, the processing pressure decreased as the main shaft blast velocity increased. Additionally, in the second stage of processing, the processing pressure was at its lowest value at the main shaft blast velocity of 35 m/s. Energy consumption, too, decreased as the main shaft blast velocity was increased. Conclusions: From the above results, it is concluded that the main shaft blast velocity of 35 m/s is best for reducing turbidity and producing high quality rice in a CTWRPS.
