Study on the segregation of brown rice and rice husks mixture in inclined chute flow.

In the process of paddy hulling, the separation of rice husks and brown rice mixture is an indispensable stage. Usually, the mixture is transported along inclined chute driven by gravity from hulling system to pneumatic separation system to complete separation. To promote segregation of mixture is the key for improving separation effect. However, the segregation law and mechanism of two-property difference mixtures with small difference of particle size in inclined chute flow are still unknown. Hence, the transporting process of particles in inclined chute was explored by discrete element method (DEM) simulations and experiments. The results show that kinetic sieving mechanism still plays an important role in inclined chute flow of the mixture with small difference in the particle size. In the case of a certain flow distance and a small chute angle, providing more flow space along the depth direction for the particle flow can further improve the degree of segregation (DOS). [Display omitted] • Binary mixtures with small particle size difference in inclined chute flow are studied. • Kinetic sieving mechanism still plays an important role in inclined chute flow of the mixture. • Kinetic sieving here is caused by the difference in surface roughness and density. • The degree of segregation decreases with the increase of inclined chute angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]