PAES 203: Agricultural Machinery Standard Quiz

12 Questions

What initiated the formulation of Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standard PAES 203:2000?

Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE)

Which organization reviewed the formulated standard for Grain Dryer before its circulation?

Technical Committee on Postharvest Machinery

In which year was the standard PAES 203:2000 related to Moisture Content Determination for Rice and Corn formulated?

2000

Which organization organized a public hearing for the standard PAES 203:2000?

National Agriculture and Fisheries Council (NAFC)

What type of procedures were specified in the standard PAES 203:2000?

Procedures on moisture content determination during the test

Which project funded the initiative for the formulation of PAES 203:2000?

Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE)

What is the purpose of ISO 950:1979 in the context of grain drying standards?

Sampling cereals as grains

Which equipment is essential for determining the moisture content of maize according to ISO 6540:1980?

Grinding mill

What is the purpose of Annex A mentioned in the text?

Outlining the calibration procedures for a moisture meter

Which type of secondary moisture meters are recommended for grain testing?

Capacitance type

What is the primary function of a desiccator in the grain testing process?

To store standard desiccant like silica gel

Why is it essential to calibrate the moisture meter every six months?

To ensure accurate measurements

Study Notes

PAES 203: Agricultural Machinery - Moisture Content Determination for Rice and Corn

Formulated by Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC) through the project "Standardization of Postharvest Machinery Testing and Evaluation" funded by the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) of the Department of Agriculture (DA)
Reviewed by the Study Team for the Formulation of Standards for Grain Dryer and the Technical Committee on Postharvest Machinery

Standard Specifications

Calibration procedures to be followed
Methods of sample size reduction
Grain sampling procedures
Procedures on moisture content determination during the test

References

ISO/DIS 11520-1 Agricultural Grain Dryers - Determination of Drying Performance
ISO 711:1985 Cereals and Cereal Products - Determination of Moisture Content (Basic Reference Method)
ISO 712:1985 Cereals and Cereal Products - Determination of Moisture Content (Routine Reference Method)
ISO 950:1979 Cereals - Sampling (as grain)
ISO 2170:1980 Cereals and Pulses - Sampling of Milled Products
ISO 6540:1980 Maize - Determination of Moisture Content (Basic Reference Method)
Part 16 and 17 of the regional Network for Agricultural Machinery Test Codes and Procedures for Continuous Flow and Batch Rice Dryers
NFA Standard Calibration Procedure - Grains Meter Calibration for Standard Laboratory Procedure

Apparatus

Analytical balance with accuracy of ± 0.3 g
Desiccator with silica gel
Laboratory mill with characteristics:
- Made of material that does not absorb moisture
- Easy to clean with little dead space
- Enables rapid and uniform grinding without heat development and minimal air contact
Moisture dishes (aluminum/pyrex glass) with lid and diameter of at least 50 mm
Ventilated drying oven with regulated temperature range
Secondary moisture meters (e.g. capacitance type, resistance type)
Sampling apparatus (e.g. sack-type spears, triers, shovels)

Calibration and Sample Size Reduction

Moisture meter calibration: every 6 months following procedures in Annex A
Sample size reduction methods:
- Using sample divider: bulk sample poured into hopper, divided into collecting bins, and mixed to form a sub-bulk sample
- Through coning and quartering: dividing sample into smaller parts, discarding every other sample, and mixing remaining grains