PG Thesis
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Item Development and quality evaluation of vacuum impregnated coconut chips(Department of Processing and Food Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology , Tavanur, 2024-04-05) Anuj Sonal, P.; Sudheer, K PA protocol for vacuum impregnation of coconut chips was optimized across various stages, including the optimization of impregnation and drying parameters, along with a comprehensive storage study. The vacuum impregnation (VI) process for coconut slices underwent optimization using a Box-Behnken design, examining the impact of vacuum pressure (100-300 mbar), vacuum time (10-20 min), vacuum relaxation time (5-15 min), and solution concentration (50-70OBrix) on various parameters. The results indicated second-order kinetics for mass transfer, reaching equilibrium after a vacuum time of 20 minutes. Optimized conditions were determined as a vacuum level of 229.40 mbar, vacuum time of 12.205 minutes, vacuum relaxation time of 11.975 minutes, and a solution concentration of 62.609OBrix. Key parameters like water loss (25.033%), solute gain (5.643%), weight reduction (19.389%), water activity (0.720), pH (5.660), color change (3.161), total soluble solids (51.120°Brix), ash content (0.825%), and total sugar (9.255 mg/100g) were observed under these optimum VI conditions. The subsequent drying process involved a comparison of various dryers (Infra-red, vacuum, heat pump, and convective) and temperatures (60-800C), with the optimized parameter being a vacuum dryer at 60OC, exhibiting the least drying time of 2.5 hrs. The resulting vacuum-dried coconut chips demonstrated high quality, with desirable characteristics such as moisture content (0.474%), water activity (0.358), color change (8.48), texture (1.62N), fat content (53.2), protein (4.81), total sugar (38.5%), fiber (27%), and ash content (1.56%). The VI-processed coconut chips, developed under optimized conditions, were packed in laminated aluminum pouches filled with nitrogen and subjected to storage studies. Unlike commercially available coconut chips that developed a rancid taste after 135 days, the optimized coconut chips retained acceptable quality attributes for up to 195 days. In summary, the developed system and process not only reduced processing time but also proved effective in maintaining quality and extending the shelf life of vacuum-impregnated coconut chips.Item Soft robotic pineapple gripper(Department of Processing and Food Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology , Tavanur, 2024-03-11) Ranjisha, K.; Sindhu BhaskarThe pineapple is a tropical plant with an edible fruit and is the most economically significant plant in the family Bromeliaceae. Pineapples grow as a small shrub and is normally propagated from the suckers produced at the roots of pineapple plant, typically mature within a year. Mature pineapples weigh between 0.5-1.75 kg (Thomas and Dinesh, 2020). At present, pineapples are harvested and handled manually which results in musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) and ergonomic risks. Developing automatic harvest equipment is helpful for lightening labour intensity, alleviating labour shortages, reducing production cost, improving picking efficiency. Designing an end-actuator for pineapple is the key problem for developing automatic pineapple harvest equipment. The main objectives of this study were to design and develop a Soft robotic pineapple gripper and its performance evaluation. The physical and mechanical properties of pineapple were measured using standard measuring instruments. Design optimisation of the soft gripper was done. Pneumatic type actuation is selected for actuating the gripper and liquid silicone rubber is selected as the material of fabrication. Simulation of gripper finger was done by conducting Finite Element Analysis of individual finger of the gripper (Kultongkham et al., 2021). Individual fingers of the soft gripper was fabricated by casting the material into 3D printed moulds. Gripper casing for arranging the fingers were developed by using GI sheet. Developed soft robotic gripper consists of a Pneumatic pressure control system and control unit. There will be two solenoid valves, one act as inlet and other exit, these can be controlled by using relays which in turn gets command from the Raspberry Pi 4. A program is written in python-based Integrated Development Environment (IDE) in the Raspberry Pi named ‘Thonny’ for its timely execution. Bending angle of each of the individual grippers were measured at different pressure level. All the six fingers showed a similar trend of bending angle variation. The force generated from each of the fingers were determined by using a Force Sensor, FSR-406. Bearing capacity of the gripper is also analysed and found that a weight of around 1.5 kg can be gripped by the gripper easily. Finally, damage rate of pineapple was evaluated (Bentini et al., 2006) and noted that no significant damage was caused to the pineapple while grippingItem Design and development of a propeller pump(Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1984) Sasi, K; Remadevi, A N“Petti and Para” a crude form of Axial flow pump is used in Kerala for dewatering agricultural fields. It is being fabricated by local blacksmiths and there is no scientific design for the pump. For low head high discharge conditions Petti and Para is very effective, but less efficient because of faulty construction. The broad objective of the project was to develop an axial flow pump with improved efficiency which could be economically used for dewatering and for lift irrigation purposes under low head conditions. In this investigation, a good amount of attention was given to the fluid dynamics inside the axial flow pump and theoretically studied the combined affect of various parameters involved in the design of an axial flow pump. Then the parameters were compared with the approximate values given by the various researchers in the field. The requirement of the pump to be designed, at field conditions, were studied thoroughly and an one dimensional design was done. After designing and fixing the dimensions, the pump was fabricated in the Kerala Agricultural University Research Workshop at Mannuthy. Because of the lack of facilities in the Research Workshop, it was tested in the hydraulics laboratory at the Government Engineering College, Trichur. The power unit used was a 15 HP electric motor. The accessories used to measure discharge and head were a rectangular notch with Hookgauge and water manometer respectively. Testing was done with two levels of water above the impeller, one 20 cm above the impeller and the other 10 cm above the impeller. For the above two conditions, at designed head (1.5m) the maximum efficiencies obtained were 33 per cent and 29.5 per cent at discharge 121 lit/sec. and 114 lit/sec. respectively. The maximum working capacity was 165.19 lit/sec. against a head of 1 m with an efficiency of 31.95 per cent (20 cm above the impeller) In the three bladed pump, the blades were fixed to the hub by welding it to the suitably shaped (curved) M.S flats and then bolting the curved M.S. flats to the hub. The blades were twisted from 160 to 240 in a uniform variation by simple blacksmithy. The efficiency of the pump can be increased by using perfectly curved blades, which reduces eddies and skin friction. Comparing with the existing Petti and Para made by local blacksmiths, it is found that the pump is cheap as well as efficient.Item Mechanical control of the floating type aquatic weed salvinia wolesta (African payal)(Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1981) Sankaranarayanan, M R; Jose SamuelItem Development of a low cost garden tractor(Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1982) Sivaswami, M; Muhammad, C PThe study was conducted with the objectives of systematic analysis of components with respect to their kinematics, dynamics and ergonomics and evaluation of traction performance and economics of low cost garden tractor. A greaves Lombardini 5.4 hp diesel engine with 1800 rpm was selected and a simple three step speed reduction system having a single stage V belt drive and double stage chain drives with a pivotted countershaft clutch have been designed. A road speed of 6.635 kmph and field speed of 3.317 kpmh were achieved by using a cone pulley arrangement with 6.00 x 12 size wheel.Correct position of various components bringe the centre of gravity of the unit with and without implement at very close to the final drive axle for easy balancingItem Development of small scale equipment for extraction of Cocoa butter and production of cocoa powder(Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1982) Ganeshan, V; George, T PThe primary objective of this project was to evolve a viable technology and equipment system for small scale processing of cocoa beans. The study mainly concentrated on the development of an extraction unit for the separation of butter from cocoa mass. Various equipment required for small scale processing of cocoa beans were either identified or designed.Item Modification and testing of a coleus harvester(Department of Farm Power Machinery and Energy, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2015) Younus, A; Jayan, P RItem Synthetic generation of streamflow data using computer simulation model(Department of Land and Water Resources and Conservation Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 1993) Levan, K V; Jobi V PaulA Study has been made to develop a computer simulation model for the synthetic generation of streamflow data for Chaliyar, one of the larger basins of the state. The data were collected from different river gauging stations for different durations. A suitable mathematical model namely Thomas Fiering Model was developed for the generation of synthetic data. The model was fitted for the observed monthly steamflows. The validity of the model was checked by comparing the statistical parameters of historical and generated data and by comparing the flow duration curves. It is seen that the model preserves various statistical parameters like mean, standard deviation and correlation coefficient. The study reveals that the computer simulation model developed is a very effective tool in the proper management of water resources system.