Design and fabrication of rice hull pelletizer for cat litter production/
Angel Gift B. Carabal, Dave Mathew O. Collado, Christine Joyet I. De Guzman, Kenneth Vincent O. Ocsillos, and Elijah C. Testor.--
- Manila: Technological University of the Philippines, 2025.
- x, 138pages: 29cm.
Bachelor's thesis
College Of Engineering.--
Includes bibliographic references and index.
Along with the rising population of domestic cats in households and shelters comes the growing concern of maintaining healthy living conditions of such beloved felines which includes proper waste management often with the use of cat litter. Conventional cat litter often contains non-biodegradable materials like clay, which contribute to landfill waste and environmental pollution. This study presents the design and fabrication of a rice hull pelletizer aimed at transforming agricultural waste—specifically rice hulls—into eco-friendly cat litter pellets. The machine features interchangeable circular die plates with hole diameters of 4 mm and 6 mm, producing pellets with output sizes ranging from 2–3 mm and 4–5 mm, respectively. It is capable of processing up to 7 kilograms of material per hour. The optimal pellet formulation consists of 60% rice hull, 18% starch, 12% water, and 10% charcoal. Performance tests showed promising results, with an absorption rate of 70.175 mL/min, adsorption capacity of 254%, hydration capacity of 2.54 g/g, and a deodorizing ability rated as “noticeable.” These findings support the viability of rice hull-based cat litter as a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to commercial products, with potential for widespread use in shelters and households alike.