Development of Rice Weevils Elimination Machine in Rice by using Infrared heater

Abstract

During storage, the losses of rice were caused by Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus), the affected rice's quality was reduced. Usage of chemical in controlling of Rice Weevils in storage may affect the environment and harm consumer health. This research aimed to develop Rice Weevil elimination machine in rice by using heat from Infrared instead of the conventional approach, insecticides and chemicals. This alternative may not only reduce the rice losses during storage but provide environmental friendly solution for pest control and safer rice for consumers. The prototype’s components were storage bin, controller box, chain conveyer and infrared lamp. Khao Dawk Mali 105 rice (KDML 105) and Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus) varieties were used in this case. There were 3 factors including air temperature, rice thickness and exposure time (s). The experiment was designed using the Box Behnken Design with 15 experiments and 3 repeats. It was found that mortality of Rice Weevil increased with increasing temperature and exposure time. On the contrary, mortality of Rice Weevil decreased with increasing rice thickness. The optimal condition for mortality of Rice Weevil within air temperature of 55 C, rice thickness of 1.5 cm. and exposure time of 30 s., the efficiency of disinfestations of Rice Weevil was 100%. After, heating in Rice Weevil disinfestation had no significant effect on rice physical qualities and moisture. The performance of prototype was 58.09 kg./hr.