A pilot plant for production of ceiling boards from rice husks

Ceiling Boards have been successfully produced from the agricultural wastes rice husk and sawdust. For this production an improvised beater and press were used; locally available additives, Cascamite glue and sawdust, were equally used. The slurry of the wastes was prepared by heating rice husk with sodium hydroxide for 16h. After washing with water, the digested husk was transferred to a beating machine where sawdust (filler) and glue were incorporated. The slurry with the filler/binder was formed into sheets in the press and the sample sheets were sun dried. The sheets and commercial samples were then tested for moisture, rate of water absorption, and tensile strength. The results of the tests confirmed that the produced sheets 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.