Optimizing Rice Heating Efficiency: A Comparative Study of Zigzag Rail Design and Hybrid Induction Heating in a Novel Rice Heating System

Abstract

This article outlines the development of a novel rice heating system, leveraging induction heating technology and hot air for enhanced efficiency. The core innovation lies in a rectangular pipe featuring three types of alternating zigzag rails, set at angles of 35, 45, and 55 degrees, to optimize hot air flow and test efficiency. The design process involved using Solidwork program to simulate hot air flow, followed by real-world experiments to validate the simulation outcomes. Key performance indicators included the temperature of rice grains exposed to hot air and the effectiveness of induction heating in uniformly heating the rice without causing damage or breakage. The study also compared the effectiveness of using hot air alone versus a combination of hot air and induction heating. Rice flow rates were tested at 100kg/h, 150kg/h, and 200kg/h, with corresponding hot air power levels of 1,143W, 2,352W, and 3,756W, and induction heating powers of 146W, 228W, and 360W. An infrared thermometer measured the rice temperature. Results indicated that the 45-degree zigzag rail design yielded higher rice temperatures without damage. Additionally, combining hot air with induction heating was found to increase rice temperature more effectively and use energy more efficiently compared to using hot air alone.