International Journal of Agricultural Engineering

Arpita Mehta ¹, Sudhir Jain ², Surendra Kothari ¹, S. K. Jain ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Renewable Energy Sources Engineering, College of Technology and Engineering, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur Rajasthan, IN
2 Department of Renewable Energy Sources Engineering, College of Technology and Engineering, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur Rajasthan
3 Department of Processing and Food Engineering, College of Technology and Engineering, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur Rajasthan, IN

Abstract

Thermal energy storage is one of the most efficient ways to store solar energy for heating air by energy collected from sun. An indirect forced convection solar drier with thermal storage has been developed and tested its performance for drying ginger under the metrological conditions of Udaipur, India. Agricultural food materials can be dried at late evening, while late evening drying was not possible with a normal solar dryer. So that, solar dryer with storage unit is very beneficial for the humans and as well as for the energy conservation. The system consisted of a flat plate solar air collector, heat storage unit, a drying chamber and a DC fan. Drying experiments have been performed at an air flow rate of 0.0025 kg/s. Drying of ginger rhizomes in a forced convection solar drier reduces the moisture content from around 84 per cent (wet basis) to the final moisture content about 9.63 per cent in 36 h. Average drier efficiency was estimated to be about 30 per cent.

Keywords

Solar Drier, Ginger Drying, Heat Storage Material

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B. K. Mehta ¹, A. K. Jha ², K. Chatterjee ², M. Kumari ², S. K. Jain ³

Affiliations
1 Krishi Vigyan Kendra (B.A.U.) Sahibgnj Jharkhand, IN
2 Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Birsa Agricultural University, Sahibgnj Jharkhand, IN
3 Department of Processing and food Engineering, (C.T.A.E.), Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur Rajasthan, IN

Abstract

The preliminary experiment for mass transport data of button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) were performed for fixing the levels of input variables for further experimentation such as kinetics and optimization of osmotic dehydration as well as air drying. After the preparatory steps, the preliminary experiment was studied for wide range of process variables such as duration of osmosis (30, 45, 60, 90, 120 min), salt concentration (5, 10, 15, 20, 25%), brine temperature (25, 35, 45, 55, 65°C) and brine to sample ratio (3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 8:1 R). The response parameters were mainly water loss and salt gain.

Keywords

Osmotic Dehydration, Concentration, Water Loss And Salt Gain

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B. K. Mehta ¹, S. K. Jain ², G. P. Sharma ², K. Chatterjee ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Engineering, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (B.A.U.)Sahibganj Jharkhand, IN
2 Department of Processing and food Engineering, College of Technology and Agricultural Engineering, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udhaipur Rajastan, IN
3 Krishi Vigyan Kendra (B.A.U. ) Sahibganj Jharkhand, IN

Abstract

The effect of different drying conditions on total drying time, ascorbic acid content, colour and water activity of osmo-dehydrated button mushroom slices were investigated at 45, 55, 65, 75 and 850C drying temperature and 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 m/s air velocities. The retention of ascorbic acid was found to be increased with decrease in drying temperature from 85 to 650C and it decreased with further decrease in drying air temperature to 450C. Similarly, with respect to individual effect of velocity, the sample dried with lower velocity (1.0 m/s) recorded highest ascorbic acid (27.24 mg/100 g dm). As the temperature increased, L-value of colour was increased from 450C to 650C, means sample became lighter in colour and thereafter decreased at 750C. The sample dried with 2.0 m/s drying air velocity was found significantly superior with better colour (49.91). Sample with lowest water activity (0.228) was one dried at 850C drying temperature and 2.0 m/s drying air velocity and was significantly superior over the sample dried by all other combinations of temperature and velocity.

Keywords

Temperature, Air-velocity, Ascorbic Acid, Colour (L-value), Water Activity

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S. K. Jain ¹, P. P. Chavan ¹, V. P. Khedekar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Farm Structures, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. B.S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth Dapoli, Ratnagiri M.S., IN

Abstract

The cooling efficiency of the evaporative cooling chamber was found to be 65.41%, 56.14% and 89.94% for month of September, October and November, respectively. The average yellowness index before and after storage of okra was 33.97 and 44.95, respectively and for snake gourd before and after storage was 40.46 and 32.17, respectively. The hardness of okra before storage was 1060g and after storage was 811.6g. The hardness for snake gourd before storage and after storage was 1626.6g and 838.3g respectively. Shelf life was increased by four days and six days of okra and snake gourd, respectively in evaporative cooling chamber as compared to ambient environment.

Keywords

Evaporative Cooling Structure, Cooling Efficiency, Shelf Life, Yellowness Index

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S. K. Jain ¹, P. P. Chavan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Farm Structures, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. B.S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Ratnagiri M.S., IN

Abstract

A 200 litre oil drum was developed and fabricated for production of bamboo vinegar. Bamboos were cut in 15 cm length and further splitted vertically. The average moisture content of air dried bamboo splits was found to be 22.77 per cent. The bamboo splits were carbonized in oil drum kiln and smoke was condensed to collect bamboo vinegar. It was observed that from 16 bamboos, the output of bamboo vinegar 2.24 litre and bamboo charcoal 22.3 kg was obtained. The average bulk density of bamboo charcoal was found to be 181.23 kg/m3. The ash content of bamboo charcoal and raw bamboo were found to be 4.28 per cent and 7.88 per cent, respectively.

Keywords

Oil Drum Kiln, Bamboo Vinegarr, Bamboo Charcoal

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S. K. Jain ¹, D. M. Mahale ², N. J. Thakor

Affiliations
1 Department of Farm Structures, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. B.S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Ratnagiri M.S., IN
2 College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. B.S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Ratnagiri M.S., IN

Abstract

In the hot and humid climate of Konkan region issue of cow comfort is ignored and hence has serious implications for barn profitability. Twelve cows were selected for study of comfort on concrete floor and rubber mat floor. The average lying down time of cows was increased on rubber mat floor from 2.00 to 4.28 h. The time required to sit and to stand the cow on rubber mat floor was less as compared to concrete floor. The average maximum number of slippage on concrete floor was observed 4.9 and on the rubber mat floor was 4.0. The average minimum number of slippage on concrete floor was 4.4 and on the rubber mat floor was 2.6. The milk production was increased by 30.4 per cent when cows were housed on rubber mat floor as compare to concrete floor due to increase in comfort.

Keywords

Rubber Mat Floor, Concrete Floor, Slippages, Time to Sit and to Stand, Milk Production

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S. K. Jain ¹, P. P. Chavan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Farm Structures, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. B.S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Ratnagiri M.S., IN

Abstract

Cashew (Anacardium Occidentale L.) is one of the important tropical crops having high export potential due to high market value of kernels. In the study "Vegurla-4" variety of cashewnut was processed by direct steam roasting method for studying maximum per cent whole kernel recovery, drying behaviour of kernels and sensory properties of cashew kernel. The treatments were combinations of steam pressure viz., 10, 15 and 20 psi and time of steaming viz., 10, 15 and 20 min. Statistical R. B. D. analysis revealed that the treatment 20 psi with 10 min. gave maximum 90.08 per cent whole kernels. The pressure factor was significant while time factor was found to be non-significant in 32 factorial designs. The mathematical model developed gave the optimum pressure 18.76 psi for maximum shelling percentage. The treatment consisting of 15 psi and 15 min gave better result during drying study with lowest equilibrium moisture content and highest drying constant. The sensory study revealed that among treatments colour and texture varied significantly. Overall, treatment with steam pressure 20 psi and steaming time 15 min. was found to be most suitable.

Keywords

Cashewnuts, Direct Steaming Roasting, Whole Kernel Recovery, Steam Pressure, Steaming Time, Sensory

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S. K. Jain ¹, S. P. Kurhekar ², S. Kothe ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Farm Structures, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli Ratnagiri (M.S.), IN
2 Department of Farm Structures, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli (M.S.), IN

Abstract

The average moisture content of fresh bamboo (cv. Dendrocalamus stocksii) after harvesting was found to be 58.33 per cent. The shrinkage of bamboo along diameter, thickness and length varied between 2.90 to 5.43 per cent, 3.02 to 10.88 per cent and 0.04 to 0.73 per cent, respectively. Thus, it was found that the shrinkage in thickness was more than diameter and that of shrinkage in thickness was more than length wise. The top portion of bamboo provides more compression and shear strength than bottom portion. The high compression strength was found for smaller length of bamboo as compared to larger length. It was also found that with node bamboo possessed more compression and shear strength than without node and six month old harvested bamboo possessed more compression strength than fresh bamboo.

Keywords

Shrinkage, Strength, Bamboo.

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S. K. Jain ¹, S. P. Kurhekar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Farm Structures, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Ratnagiri (M.S.), IN

Abstract

The demand of wood products is continuously increasing in spite of rapid depletion of forests around the globe. Water absorption and desorption in wood are of practical importance since they also affect the mechanical properties of the product. The five wood varieties teak, beechwood, mango, jackfruit and ain were used for study that are popular for timber and furniture in Konkan. These five varieties showed initial high rate of moisture uptake and drying followed by comparatively slower rate. Drying rate was eight times higher than absorption process. Shear strength of all wood varities decreased with increase in moisture content.

Keywords

Absorption, Desorption, Wood.

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S. P. Kurhekar ¹, S. K. Jain ², P. P. Chavan ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Farm Structures, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli (M.S.), IN
2 Department of Farm Structures, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth Dapoli (M.S), IN

Abstract

Three varieties of bamboo viz., Dedrocalamus ritchy (Manga), Dendrocalamus stocksii (Mes) and Dendrocalamus strictus (Manvel) were used to prepare bamboo mats were weaved manually and treated with glue. Urea formaldehyde (resin) was used as glue to prepare bamboo mat boards. The resin application was done by dipping. Bamboo mats were dipped for 10 min in urea formaldehyde. 30 kg of resin was required for complete dipping of bamboo mats. Mats were pressed together at 110°C temperatures and pressure of 150 kg/cm² was applied for 5 min. This is for spreading glue properly. Mats were again pressed at 110°C at a pressure of 200 kg/cm² for 10 min to from bamboo mat boards. Boards were trimmed to a size of 2.1 m × 1.2 m board of 9 mm, 12 mm and 16 mm thickness were prepared. Bamboo mat board can be prepared from Dendrocalamus stocksii (Mes), Dedrocalamus ritchy (Manga) and Dendrocalamus strictus (Manvel) using urea formaldehyde resin. Dedrocalamus ritchy (Manga) was easy to prepare slivers of bamboo. Density of bamboo mat board increased as thickness increases. Maximum density was for Dendrocalamus stocksii (Mes). Water absorption bamboo mat board decreased as thickness increases and was minimum for Dendrocalamus stocksii (Mes). Tensile strength and compressive strength for bamboo mat board increased as thickness increases. For Dendrocalamus stocksii (Mes) maximum tensile strength and maximum compressive strength was 37.83, 43.21 and 48.50 N/mm²and 15.75, 19.21 and 26.30N/mm² for 9, 12 and 16 mm thickness, respectively.

Keywords

Bamboo Mat Board, Bamboos.

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S. P. Divekar ¹, S. K. Jain ¹, Chandan Kumar ¹, R. B. Mahadik ¹, V. M. Daware ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Farm Structures, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dapoli, Ratnagiri (M.S.), IN

Abstract

The presence of log house in agro-tourism is one of type of attraction to the tourists to come for agro-tourism. The tourists come for tourism and they stay in log house. The main advantage of a log house is a healthy living environment. The log house is made up with the locally available wood or light weight wood. The demand for wooden products is continuously increasing day by day. Wood is exposed to both periodic water absorption and desorption process. Understanding water absorption and desorption in wood are of practical importance since they also affect the mechanical properties of the product. In residential building and in industrial application some of the components are often wood (Ostman, 1985). For the purpose of the study, Agro-tourism for farmers is considered as a range of activities, services and amenities provided by farmers and rural people to attract tourist to their area in order to generate extra income for their businesses. Agro-tourism for tourists is considered as anything that connects tourists with the heritage, natural resource or culinary experiences unique to the agricultural industry or a specific region of the country's rural areas. The designed log house was safe from different loads point of view.

Keywords

Log House, Dead Load, Live Load.

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