Characterization of briquettes produced from four lignocellulosic material admixtures using a hydraulic briquetting press (HBP)
The physical characteristics and combustion performance of briquettes produced from four lignocellulosic materials and its admixtures using a 5-ton HBP with a rectangular mould had been carried out. The sole materials evaluated include sawdust, waste paper, cow dung and rice bran and its admixtures in the following proportions: Sawdust: paper (2:1), rice barn: paper (2:1), cow dung: paper (2:1), Rice bran: sawdust: paper (1:1:1) investigating the bonding properties of paper. The result show...
Ergonomic modification and performance evaluation of a shoulder-strapped brush cutter
Ergonomic studies were carried out on selected shoulder-strap brush cutters to evaluate some deficient ergonomic factors associated with their operations. These deficiencies were used as basis for modification. Contextual interview and field interactions were used to obtain ergonomic data that are descriptively analyzed. Results of ergonomic assessment shows that operators are subjected to pains around the neck, shoulders, upper arm and fingers which are largely traceable to shoulder-strap-lo...
Modification and performance evaluation of a dual-function okra processing device
The performance evaluation of a dual-function device for slicing and drying Okra developed at the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu Nigeria was carried out and reported. The device was designed to slice and dry okra in one single-sequence operation. To evaluate the devices, some physical characteristics (the axial length, mean equivalent diameters and sphericity) of okra samples were measured to determine blade distance and other machine considerations. The results showed that the...
Performance evaluation of three coconut cracking devices and comparison with conventional cracking technique
Performance of three coconut cracking devices; punch-split, impact-split, hydraulic-split were carried out and their comparison with conventional (hand cracking technique) evaluated. Each cracking technique was evaluated for capacity, efficiency, ergonomics, and time required to crack a unit of different coconut grades. The results showed that the average cracking efficiency for punch-split was 87.09 percent with a range of 86.76 to 95.00 percent, impact-split efficiency varied from 83.33 ...
Design and performance evaluation of supplemental air supplied charcoal stove
Improved charcoal stoves are known to generally develop high thermal efficiencies, but most generate appreciable level of gas emissions which has made them unsuitable for use withinresidential buildings. In order to eliminate this constraint, a supplemental air supply power pack wasintroduced to improve charcoal stove thermal and aesthetic performance. This paper described theexperimental setup, test procedures and results showing optimized performance. Comparisonbetween performance character...
Extrudate characteristics produced from high density screw-type extruder machine
Etrudate characteristics of briquettes produced and effects of extrusion factors using an existing screw extruder have been investigated. The feedstock material used in the test is sawdust collected from sawmills around Ibadan metropolis. Particle distribution analysis of materials collected showed that the size varies between 6-8 mm with 10-20% powdery component (< 4 mesh) which is known to give better products. Samples of briquettes produced were used for physical characterization. Physical...