Engineering Properties of Indian Browntop Millet (Brachiaria ramosa) as Influenced by Varietal and Moisture Differences

Abstract

Engineering properties play an essential role in equipment design, storage, and transportation of grains. Various engineering properties of browntop millet grains, viz. dimensional, gravimetric, and frictional properties of four cultivars of browntop millet, were determined in the moisture content range of 5–20% (db.) following the standard procedures. The dimensional properties showed an increase with an increase in moisture content (5–20% db). In contrast, gravimetric properties, viz. bulk density, true density, and porosity, showed a linear decrement ranging from 843.2 to 796 kg m⁻³, 1538.4 to 1333.3 kg m⁻³, and 45.2 to 40.3%, respectively, for the four cultivars of browntop millet grains. A declining trend was observed for the rupture force between 140.35 and 72.26 N with the four cultivars studied. The coefficient of static friction was also found to increase with increase in the moisture content. The friction coefficient for all the cultivars of browntop millets was studied, and plywood has shown the highest value followed by mild steel and glass. The values of the angle of repose ranged between 23.4 and 30.4° for browntop millet grains cultivars. A significant difference in the engineering properties was observed among the four cultivars of browntop millet grains, namely BTM 1, BTM 2, BTM 3, and BTM 4.