M. Safari; H. Sharifnasab
Abstract
IntroductionSafflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is an oil plant with a growth cycle of 120 days. The seeds of this crop are primarily used for oil production, while its flower petals are used for extracting natural pigments and medicinal purposes. The cultivation area for this crop in Iran was about ...
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IntroductionSafflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is an oil plant with a growth cycle of 120 days. The seeds of this crop are primarily used for oil production, while its flower petals are used for extracting natural pigments and medicinal purposes. The cultivation area for this crop in Iran was about 2300 ha during 2014-2015. Due to the recent droughts, cultivation of this crop has a good income for farmers because of the short growth period, resistance to drought (water stress) and less maintenance requirements. In the meantime, the flower petals of this crop are used for food coloring and medical affairs. The flower petals are harvested with the traditional method in most parts of Iran, which has a lot of hardship for harvesting and increases production costs. On the other hand, this crop is contaminated in terms of sanitary factors due to the contact of the worker hands with flower petals. Therefore, applying a proper mechanization method for petals harvesting is an effective step in the development of this crop cultivation.Materials and MethodsIn this study, three petal harvesting methods including the manual (conventional) method, Knapsack (Indian modified) method and Fossil-fueled wheelbarrow machine method were compared in terms of effective field capacity, downfall loss percentage, purity percentage, energy consumption, and harvesting costs. The Indian knapsack machine was modified. The experimental design format was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. In the knapsack method (modified), petals were separated from the receptacle by a cutting blade and sucked into the machine reservoir. In the manual method, petals were separated from the reception by the worker hands and put inside the special bags which hanged on the worker neck. In the fossil-fueled wheelbarrow machine, an 8 kW motor-powered engine was used to set up the 1200 w vacuum system and cutting unit. The vacuum system was installed on the special chassis in wheel barrow machine. Each experimental plot had about 149 safflowers in one square meter area, which was harvested in different methods.Results and DiscussionThe results showed that the harvesting loss (W.W.) of the Knapsack method, Fossil-fueled wheelbarrow machine method, and manual method were 0.63%, 1.11%, and 3.25%, respectively. The percentages of purity were 97.71%, 98.66%, and 95.29%, respectively. There was a significant difference between machine and manual methods in 5% level. The effective field capacity of the methods was 2.45, 2.76, and 1.39 g min-1 (in dry condition), which was not significantly different between the machinery treatments in 5% level. The energy consumption for the fossil-fueled wheelbarrow machine was significant compared to the other two methods (1356 kW h-1 in 30 days). In terms of the economic point, benefit-cost ratios were 1.75, 1.55, and 1.16 for the Knapsack method, Fossil-fueled wheelbarrow machine method, and manual method, respectively. If the solar panel was used in the Knapsack method, the benefit-cost ratio would decrease to 1.54.ConclusionThe field capacity of machines methods was more than manual method for safflower petal harvesting. The Knapsack machine had less loss percentage than other treatments. The wheelbarrow machine had a higher degree of purity, but no significant difference was observed between this treatment and the Knapsack method. The energy consumption of the wheelbarrow machine was higher than other treatments. The economic evaluation showed that the Knapsack machine had a higher benefit-cost ratio than other treatments. If the solar panel was used by this machine, the use of a solar panel system would be economical too. Finally, with regards to the technical and economic parameters, using the Knapsack machine was recommended for safflower petal harvesting.
H. Sharifnasab; N. Abbasi
Abstract
Introduction: As a mechanical tillage practices on soil preparation improve soil structure, increase in porosity, better distribution of soil aggregates and eventually modify the physical properties of soil. The use of nano-technology in agricultural science and its application in tillage for improving ...
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Introduction: As a mechanical tillage practices on soil preparation improve soil structure, increase in porosity, better distribution of soil aggregates and eventually modify the physical properties of soil. The use of nano-technology in agricultural science and its application in tillage for improving the physical properties and mechanical issues has grown substantially.
Nanotechnology is an appropriate way to reduce soil limitations. However the nanoparticles are very small amounts in soil, due to features such as high surface area, surface charge (appearance) and sometimes porous nano-engineering of physical-chemical properties of soil are affected significantly (Mohammadi & Niazian, 2013). To use of nanomaterials in the territory of a new issue (Taipodia et al., 2011). Small developments on the use of nanoparticles to improve soil quality and land reform have been taken (Theron et al., 2008).
Clay soil was used to enhance the compressive strength (Yonekura & Miwa, 1993). Nanosilica particle effects were examined for increasing resistance against penetration and consolidation (Noll et al., 1992). In 2005, these particles were used to increase adhesion and reduce viscosity. It seemed that the adhesion of the particles was depended on Nanosilica (Mohammadi & Niazian, 2013). The use of nanomaterials showed that the increased pH and soil fertility, improved soil physical structure, and reduced mobility, availability and toxicity of heavy metals and other environmental factors and those that will stabilize the soil components and subsides the erosion in the mining pick, (Lal, 2008). In agriculture, the soil conditioner studies have shown that nanoparticles can mine the soil quality by increasing water-holding capacity, increasing silt and clay and improve levels of nutrients, and eliminate toxins, (Liu and Lal, 2012).In this study, the effect on some physical and mechanical properties of soil contain clay gradation, Atterberg limits, specifications compression and shear parameters of soil were investigated.
Materials and Methods: The study was done for 2 years at the Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering Soil Dynamics Laboratory in a completely randomized design with three replications.
Soil samples were used for different soil textures. Three types of soil texture, light, medium and heavy were considered. Nanoclay has a mineral base and can improve the properties of the soil. Two levels of the nanoclay containing zero and one percent of the nanoclay, 3 to 6 treatments in different physical and mechanical tests were repeated.
The test specimens were prepared in triplicate test and physical, mechanical and chemical testing was performed according to ASTM standard on all models. Mesh test samples were performed by sieve and hydrometer methods according to standard ASTM-D422-98.
Plastic soil properties were expressed by the Atterberg Limits, measure the ability to absorb water, soil and to a fine particle adhesion amount and type of fine particles in the soil. Psychological testing was performed to determine the extent and the paste according to ASTM-D4318-98 standard.
The maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of the soil compaction characteristics are the most important soil properties such as soil density development projects are in operation. In agricultural applications, in particular for tillage, these two factors are of particular importance. In this study, Praktor standard density testing was performed on the different treatments.
In this research, not consolidate Undrained (UU) testing methods were used. The stress tests were done at three levels 100, 200 and 300 kPa respectively.
Results and Discussion: Adding nanoparticles of clay significant impact on the size of the samples did not curve. As well as to determine the impact of nano-clay soil Plastic characteristics as psychological tests and the paste was treated on the results of these tests for different treatments and repeated ANOVA revealed a significant effect of soil type on soil Plastic characteristics. The type of control or significant influence characteristics Plastic application of nano regard.
The optimum moisture content and maximum dry density values of each sample was extracted from the respective curves that their results suggest that addition of nanoclay had a considerable impact on the density profile.
It was observed that the use of nanoparticles in soil reduced the average amount of cohesion and internal friction angle was large. This means that the increasing the nanoclay reduces the shear parameters and therefore the shear strength of the soil. This is very important in terms of tillage. Reducing the adhesion of soil particles allows the lumps are crushed with less energy.
Conclusions: Based on the results of studies and experiments conducted in this study, the following conclusions can be extracted.
- Adding nanoparticles of clay soils affect the grading curve display.
- The effect of nanoclay had more psychological impact than the same amount in the dough.
- The results showed that the addition of nanoclay had a considerable impact on the density profile.
- The use of nanoparticles in soil reduced the average amount of cohesion and internal friction angle is large.
- Due to the increase of nano-clay soil, shear strength decreased as a result of the shear parameters.
Nanotechnology (packaging films, biocomposites, solar cells)
F. Amirshaghaghi; H. Sharifnasab
Abstract
Introduction: In order to improve the use of pesticides and pesticide consumption and prevent environmental pollution, manufactures and scientists have considered two major trends. The first major trend is improving techniques that are practical and effective use of small quantities of chemicals to reduce ...
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Introduction: In order to improve the use of pesticides and pesticide consumption and prevent environmental pollution, manufactures and scientists have considered two major trends. The first major trend is improving techniques that are practical and effective use of small quantities of chemicals to reduce the negative effect of residues of pesticides. The use of new methods usually requires investment and cost. The second major trend is changing the parts that are more important to reform the sprayer components in order to reduce pollution, mainly by including engineering controls, and design and construction of appropriate nozzles. The optimization can be done with the least expensive pesticide. Nozzle is a device for spraying the solution in the form of particles with a certain pattern. Tip of a nozzle is placed in the nozzle’s body and has many different types. The main factors in choosing tips include: material, pattern of distribution, spray angle and the amount of the solution. The spray tip may be made of aluminum, brass, nylon, stainless steel, ceramic or other materials. Nanocomposites are composites that contain at least one component with dimensions in the nanometer range between 1 to 100 nm. This material is suitable as an alternative to overcome the limitations that exist with integrated microcomposites. The aim of this study was the construction and evaluation of a sprayer nozzle with ceramic nanocomposites with good shelf life and optimum performance.Materials and methods: This research was supported by the Agricultural Engineering Research Institute and Nanotechnology Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture. The operations of this study were as follows: 1- Preparing of materials, including alumina powder and stabilized zirconia powder with yttrium. 2- Design and manufacture of molds. 3- Preparation of the samples pressing operations. 4- Zintering of samples to achieve high density. 5- Tests to determine the quality of the products. In order to prepare nanocomposite powder mixed with stabilized zirconia alumina, the ratio of 10/90 percent by volume of the powder was poured into the mill for three hours and it was stirred in the mixer. Pressing is placing the powder into a mold, and applying pressure to achieve the desired density. In this study, pressing device with 30 tons was manually used and powder sample in the amount of one gram was placed in a semi-cylindrical small hollow. After making a few samples and determining the optimal pressure and time of pressing in action, samples were manufactured under 90 kg cm-2 pressure at 20 seconds. A high temperature furnace model F3L-1720 was used for zintering. Samples were put into the furnace after forming by a single-axis press. Temperature the of furnace was raised up 1650°C at a rate of 10 degrees per minute and then the samples were exposed for one hour in order for the heat to be evenly applied in all the body of the nozzle. Finally, a hollow cone spray pattern fan nozzle with a major diameter of 15 mm and an inner diameter of 2 mm was built. Equipment for analyzing used in this study included: X-Ray Diffraction device (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The flow rate output was measured at a pressure of 2 bar in the period of 0-50 hours at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50 hours.Results and Discussion: XRD analysis of nano-composite stabilizer in the presence of yttria- zirconia- alumina toughness with (Al2O3-ZrO2-Y2O3), yttria stabilized zirconia (ZrO2-Y2O3) and alumina indicates respective phases. For the samples made with better properties, it should be uniformly distributed within it. To evaluate the uniformity, SEM-Mapping test samples were made. The results showed that the distribution of Y, Zr, Al in nanocomposite (Al2O3-ZrO2-Y2O3) is almost uniform. The results of changes in the level of output over time showed that the rate of flow in composite (Al2O3-ZrO2-Y2O3) nozzle versus ceramic conventional (Al2O3) nozzle after 50 hours of testing under static condition, flow rate was decreased to 30- 35 percent.Conclusions: Nozzles are one of the most important terminal parts in sprayers and are used to spread the liquid evenly at a certain flow rate. Addinga nanomaterial ceramic structure as a new solution was effective. By paying attention to reduce the use of chemicals and protection of the resource bases, a correct approach to the development of agricultural mechanization equipment that are essential components should be a priorityas a low-cost solution.