Solar Powered Rice Puffing Machine

Abstract

Today our Earth is facing severe problems such as global warming, air pollution and ozone layer depletion etc. One of the reasons for this problem is increased usage of fossil fuel in the recent years by humans. The renewable source of energy hence turns out to be indispensable source of energy for the present and future generations. Solar energy is one of the renewable sources of energy which can be used for various applications. The newly designed rice puffing machine is likewise powered by solar energy. The solar powered rice puffing machine is designed and developed based on the general principle of rice puffing method. Solar rays are collected from open area using solar panels and used to charge the battery thus converting the solar energy into electricity which powers the rice puffing machine. The main aim of the project is to reduce the human effort and number of labours required involved in the rice puffing process. Mechanical energy of the motor is used to drive the shaft which is welded with mesh. The rotational movement of the shaft accomplishes the mixing of rice with hot sand to puff the rice. The electric blower flushes out the puffed rice. The heat energy required to heat the sand is provided by Bio-Gas operated burner.