A PILOT-PLANT FOR PRODUCTION OF CEILING BOARDS FROM RICE HUSKS

Ceiling Boards have been successfully produced from the agricultural w astes rice husk and sawdust. For this production an improvised beater and press were used; locally available additives, Cascamite glue and s awdust, were equally used. The slurry of the wastes was prepared by he ating rice husk with sodium hydroxide for 16 h. After washing with wat er; the digested husk was transferred to a bearing machine where sawdu st (filler) and glue were incorporated. The slurry with the filler/bin der was formed into sheers in the press and the sample sheets were sun dried. The sheers and commercial samples were then tested for moistur e, rate of water absorption, and tensile strength. The results of the tests confirmed that the produced sheers were of similar standards to the commercial sample. Based on these test results, the production of ceiling boards from rice husk and sawdust is recommended. (C) 1998 Els evier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.