Evolution of Gases from Paddy Rice at Various Moisture Contents

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Allen, S.E.; Desmarchelier, J.M.


1996-08


Report


15 p.


To examine toxic gas hazards associated with wet paddy rice in confined spaces such as elevator pits, paddy rice, ranging in moisture contents, was stored in sealed glass containers and the gases evolved were determined by gas chromatography. The moisture contents ranged from 13% to 25%, wet weight. Paddy was also stored under water in sealed glass containers, additional samples were stored after the water covering the paddy was syphoned off. In all cases, carbon dioxide was evolved with a concomitant decrease in oxygen levels. The rate at which these processes occurred depended greatly on the moisture content. Evolution of carbon dioxide was very slow at low moisture content but increased rapidly with increasing moisture content. Other gases (ammonia, hydrogen sulphide and hydrogen) were also evolved over wet paddy, but in a less regular manner. After the paddy had been stored for 30 days in sealed containers, the seal was removed and ambient air was blown into the containers; the atmosphere in the containers returned to normal levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide. That is, the toxic gases had been replaced by normal air. The containers were then re-sealed, and again carbon dioxide was evolved, with concomitant decrease in oxygen. The results of this study support safety procedures aimed at reducing the quantity of grain in confined spaces, reducing the amount of water in confined spaces and providing adequate forced ventilation to remove toxic gases in confined spaces.


CSIRO Australia


Canberra


Entomology; Technical report (CSIRO (Australia) Division of Entomology)


https://doi.org/10.25919/k59k-sd38


This report has been placed on the CSIRO repository and may be made available to persons outside of CSIRO for non commercial purposes, in its entirety and without deletion of disclaimers and copyright information.


Published Version (pdf) (27.99MB)


Technical report (CSIRO (Australia) Division of Entomology)


no. 69


English


procite:c5980707-15e4-4658-a729-9584b660a747


Allen, S.E.; Desmarchelier, J.M. Evolution of Gases from Paddy Rice at Various Moisture Contents. Canberra: CSIRO Australia; 1996-08. procite:c5980707-15e4-4658-a729-9584b660a747. https://doi.org/10.25919/k59k-sd38



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https://doi.org/10.25919/k59k-sd38

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