Agricultural waste management
M. Safari; M. A. Rostami
Abstract
IntroductionIn conventional combine harvesters, wheat chaff is typically removed from the end of the machine and deposited on the field surface. Depending on the wheat cultivar, cultivation method, and growing conditions, the amount of chaff produced can range from 0.8 to 1.5 times the amount of grain ...
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IntroductionIn conventional combine harvesters, wheat chaff is typically removed from the end of the machine and deposited on the field surface. Depending on the wheat cultivar, cultivation method, and growing conditions, the amount of chaff produced can range from 0.8 to 1.5 times the amount of grain harvested per hectare (Tavakoli, 2012). On average, this translates to an annual production of approximately 14 million tons of chaff, which is valued at around $240000000 based on regional prices in 2018-2019 ($1000 per kilogram). If collected, these chaff residues could be used as animal feed for livestock. Additionally, the long stems protruding from the back of conventional combine harvesters can interfere with subsequent cultivation efforts. Chaff combine harvesters have a similar structure to conventional machines, but feature a modified end that includes a tank and blower for collecting and depositing crushed chaff. Apart from the threshing unit, all other components of the harvester remain unchanged.Materials and MethodsThis study was conducted in 2019 in dryland wheat fields to determine the performance of Chaff combine harvesters in Kurdistan province. The study used 15 combine harvesters, including John Deere models equipped with chaff threshers from Shiraz, Bookan, and Hamedan, as well as the Hamedan Barzegar specific chaff collector combine. These combines were evaluated and compared based on natural losses, head and chaff storage losses, field capacity, purity percentage, and yield in field conditions in Kurdistan province. The total number of combines evaluated was 15, using a completely randomized design. Among these, 33% belonged to Shiraz company (5 samples), 33% to Bookan (5 samples), 20% to Hamedan (3 samples), and 14% to Hamedan Barzegar (2 samples). Sampling included measurement of natural losses, header losses, threshing tank losses (losses of the threshing unit, separating unit, and cleaning unit), and quality losses (broken grains and impurities) in the combine tank.Results and DiscussionThe results showed that the average yield, natural loss, and combine loss were 1,698.14 kg.ha-1, 2.39%, and 4.92%, respectively. In terms of the loss rates in different parts of the combine, 43.49% was related to the chaff storage of the combine, and 56.50% was related to the combine head.The natural loss rate in this province was 2.39%. The total combine loss was 5.18%, with 40.44% of that related to chaff storage and the rest related to the combine head. The results also showed a significant difference between the treatments in terms of field capacity, chaff storage loss, and purity percentage at a probability level of 5%.The total loss of the Hamedan Barzegar combine was 6.67%, which was higher than the other combines. The chaff storage loss of the Shiraz, Bookan, Hamedan, and Hamedan Barzegar combines were 0.87%, 2.64%, 0.78%, and 4.28%, respectively, showing a significant difference at a 5% level. There was also a significant difference between the treatments in terms of total grain loss.Based on these results, it is recommended to use the Hamedan, Bookan, Shiraz, and Hamedan Barzegar combines, with total losses of 4.33%, 4.33%, 4.52%, and 6.56%, respectively.ConclusionThe average purity of harvested grains was 96.62%, and there was no significant difference between the combine harvesters in this regard.There was a significant difference between the combines in terms of field capacity at a probability level of 5%. The field capacity of the Bookan, Hamedan Barzegar, Hamedan, and Shiraz combine harvesters were 0.83, 0.87, 0.83, and 0.73 hectares per hour, respectively.In Kurdistan province, the average grain combine loss in dryland wheat harvesting with chaff combine harvesters was 4.92%, which is higher than in other provinces.The loss in the chaff tank of the Shiraz, Bookan, Hamedan, and Hamedan Barzegar combine harvesters was 0.87%, 2.64%, 0.78%, and 4.28%, respectively. Regardless of head losses, the loss in the Hamedan combine was less than other combine harvesters.The total losses of the Hamedan Barzegar, Bookan, Shiraz, and Hamedan combine harvesters were 6.56%, 4.32%, 4.52%, and 4.30%, respectively, with the Hamedan Barzegar and Hamedan combine harvesters having the highest and lowest losses, respectively.Based on the results obtained from this study, using the Hamedan combine is recommended in the dryland conditions of Kurdistan due to its low losses, high purity, and field capacity.AcknowledgementThanks to the Agricultural Jihad Organization of Kurdistan Province, specifically the deputy of the Plant Production and Mechanized Technologies Department, for their assistance and cooperation in the implementation of the project.
Agricultural waste management
V. Ebrahim Khanloo Sisi; N. Monjezi; M. Soleymani
Abstract
IntroductionSugarcane is one of the strategic products of Khuzestan province, which is cultivated in 10 active agro-industrial sites and covers an area of about 110,000 hectares of irrigated farms in the province. Sugarcane harvesting, like most crops, is done by special sugarcane harvesters. Due to ...
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IntroductionSugarcane is one of the strategic products of Khuzestan province, which is cultivated in 10 active agro-industrial sites and covers an area of about 110,000 hectares of irrigated farms in the province. Sugarcane harvesting, like most crops, is done by special sugarcane harvesters. Due to the life of machines and also the amount of heavy machine operations in each season of sugarcane harvest, the loss is inevitable. On the other hand, in Khuzestan province, due to lack of studies, there is little information in this area. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the extent of losses during sugarcane harvesting operations, taking into account factors such as cultivars, age of sugarcane, and reaping speed of the Astaf 7000 model. The study will be conducted at the sugarcane agro-industrial site of Dehkhoda in 2021.Materials and MethodsThe experiment was conducted as a factorial split-plot design based on randomized complete blocks (RCBD) with three replications. The first factor included four levels of cultivars (IRC-12, CP48-103, CP 73-21, and CP69-1062), the second factor included three levels of harvest age (plant, Ratoon 1, Ratoon 2), and the third factor included three levels of speed (3, 5, and 7 km h-1). Sampling was carried out under the same and constant conditions with respect to soil moisture content, harvester operator, harvester characteristics, harvester settings, and crop density in each field.Results and DiscussionThe results of analysis of variance of the data obtained from measuring sugarcane losses showed that the effect of cultivar on yield, full-length sugarcane, chopped sugarcane and splinter sugarcane had a significant effect at a probability level of one percent. The effect of age had a significant effect on yield, full-length sugarcane, chopped sugarcane with a probability level of one percent, but had no significant effect on the amount of splinter sugarcane. The interaction between cultivar and age had a significant effect on yield, chopped sugarcane, and full-length sugarcane with a probability level of one percent and on splinter sugarcane with a probability level of five percent. The effect of machine speed had a significant effect on full-length sugarcane, chopped sugarcane and splinter sugarcane with a probability level of one percent, but had no significant effect on yield. The interaction of cultivar and machine speed had a significant effect on yield, full-length sugarcane, chopped sugarcane and splinter sugarcane with a probability level of one percent. The interaction effect of age and machine speed on yield had a significant effect on full-length sugarcane and splinter sugarcane with a probability level of one percent and on the amount of splinter sugarcane with a probability level of five but had no significant effect on yield. Also, the interaction of cultivar, age and machine speed had a significant effect on yield, full-length sugarcane and chopped sugarcane with a probability level of one percent, but had no significant effect on the amount of splinter sugarcane. The results showed that the highest yield in CP69-1062 variety was observed in the plant farm with average machine speed (144.33 tons per hectare). Also, the highest amount of sugarcane losses in cultivar CP48-103 in Raton II and with 7 km h-1 machine speed (3.32 tons per hectare), the highest amount of chopped sugarcane losses in cultivar CP48-103 in plant farm and with average speed (1.78 tons per hectare) was observed. According to the results under the interaction of cultivar and device speed, the highest amount of sugarcane losses in CP69-1062 cultivar and high speed (0.314 tons per hectare) as well as IRC-12 cultivar and high speed (0.308 tons in Hectares), and under the interaction of farm age and speed of the harvester, the highest amount of sugarcane losses was observed in Ratoon farm and the high speed of the harvester (0.300 tons per hectare).ConclusionTherefore, in order to reduce the amount of losses in sugarcane fields, it is recommended to use resistant and somewhat later cultivars for cultivation, because early cultivars are more fragile during harvest due to stem fragility and the rate of losses increases. Also, Harvester speed optimization reduces the amount of losses, and due to the increase in the rate of losses in reclaimed farms, it is recommended to create more resistant stem tissue by proper plant nutrition and more care to reduce the rate of losses in ratoon farms.
Agricultural waste management
H. Amiri; A. Asakereh; M. Soleymani
Abstract
IntroductionWheat, is the most important crop in the world. In Iran, wheat is the most important and strategic agricultural crop, due to its vital role in providing food and feeding livestock. Because wheat harvesting operation has a significant share of total grain losses, it is considered as the most ...
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IntroductionWheat, is the most important crop in the world. In Iran, wheat is the most important and strategic agricultural crop, due to its vital role in providing food and feeding livestock. Because wheat harvesting operation has a significant share of total grain losses, it is considered as the most important and sensitive stage of production. Recently, in Iran, the need for straw to feed livestock has increased sharply, and since wheat is the main source of straw production, changes have been made in the configuration of the grain combine harvester so that in addition to collecting grain, it can crush and collect straw. These combine harvesters are known as straw collecting combine harvesters. The growing need for straw, along with the high cost and difficulty of straw collecting, has made straw collecting combine harvesters more popular, especially in areas where animal husbandry is common alongside agriculture. Despite facilitating and increasing the possibility of straw collection by this type of combine harvesters, in many cases grain losses have increased. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the amount of grain losses in this type of combine harvester and determine the factors affecting its losses.Materials and MethodsThis study was conducted to investigate the effect of ground speed and wheat yield on grain loss in a straw collecting combine harvester. The use of this type of harvester was also analyzed economically. Two models of JD-1055 and JD-1165 combine harvesters were considered for evaluation. The experiments were performed in a split factorial design in the form of a randomized complete block design. Grain yield (at three yield levels: less than 2 Ton ha-1, 2 to 5 Ton ha-1, and more than 5 Ton ha-1) was the main factor and the other two treatments, the model of combine harvester and the ground speed (with three levels: 1, 1.5 and 3 km h-1) were factorially placed in subplots. Loss components including head loss, combine harvester body loss, end loss, threshing unit loss, cleaning unit loss, and quality losses were measured and compared with that of a conventional grain combine harvester. Field capacity and harvesting cost were also measured for both types of combine harvesters. Finally, based on cost-benefit analysis, the straw collecting combine harvester was compared with the conventional combine harvester economically.Results and DiscussionThe results showed that in addition to the main effects, the two-way and three-way interactions were also significant for the studied factors on head loss, body loss, end loss, threshing unit loss, cleaning unit loss, and quality losses of straw collecting combine harvester. The losses of the straw collecting combine harvester are strongly affected by the ground speed and the grain yield. The percentage of grain loss in low yields (less than 2 Ton ha-1) was significantly higher than that of medium (2 to 5 Ton ha-1) and high yields (more than 5 Ton ha-1). The average loss of JD-1055 was less than JD-1165, mainly because of more loss in threshing and cleaning units. The highest total losses, with a rate of 10.54%, were related to JD-1165 in low yields, while the lowest percentage of total losses, at a rate of 2.54%, was related to JD-1055 in medium grain yield and low speed (1 km h-1). The total grain losses of conventional combine harvesters obtained about 3.22% while the total grain losses of straw collecting combine harvesters were approximately 5.44%. In general, the losses of straw collecting combine harvester were about 2.22% more than that of the conventional combine harvester. The economic evaluation showed that in the region where animal farming is common along with agriculture, the use of straw collecting combine harvester is more economical than a conventional combine harvester.ConclusionCombine harvester model, grain yield, as well as ground speed of the combine harvester affects the grain losses in different units of a straw collecting combine harvester as well as total losses. As the grain yield and the feed rate increase, the total losses of this combine decrease at first but increase again in high yields. Adjusting the feed rate helps reduce the end losses and total losses of straw collecting combine harvester. In the study area, using a straw collecting combine harvester is more economical than a conventional combine harvester.
Agricultural waste management
M. Khoshdel; S. J. Hashemi; S. M. Zabihzadeh; R. Esmaeilzadeh Kenari
Abstract
IntroductionThe use of agricultural waste to produce biodegradable containers is an appropriate option to solve the problem of biomass accumulation resulting from the cultivation of crops such as rice. The highest amount of agricultural waste compared to the area under cultivation is related to wheat ...
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IntroductionThe use of agricultural waste to produce biodegradable containers is an appropriate option to solve the problem of biomass accumulation resulting from the cultivation of crops such as rice. The highest amount of agricultural waste compared to the area under cultivation is related to wheat straw and rice straw, respectively. After wheat, rice is the most important agricultural product in human nutrition. According to the World Food Organization, the area under rice cultivation in the world is about 150 million hectares. The use of rice straw as a raw material for disposable cellulosic dishes can prevent straw residues in paddy fields, improve the deficiency of cellulosic raw materials, and reduce the use of plastic containers and the dangers thereof. Rice straw is a significant source for making cellulosic containers, but after making containers, hydrophobicity and microbial hazards can be among the problems of making these types of containers. The coating technique is one of the best solutions for resolving hydrophobicity and microbial problems. Coverage is very important and necessary to increase the shelf life of agricultural products and maintain their quality. Waxes are the best preventative methods against moisture and water vapor loss, and beeswax is one of the best edible waxes with these properties. The antibacterial properties of coatings with natural antioxidants will help solve the cellulose containers' problem. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the endurance, hydrophobicity and antimicrobial activity of rice straw degradable cellulosic dishes.Materials and MethodsIn order to obtain the raw material for the manufacture of cellulosic dishes, the straw was digested with 10% and 20% sodium hydroxide, and then to weigh the hydrophobicity tests, tensile strength index and brightness, 120 Gr paper was made. Concentrations of 1, 2, 5 and 10% of the wax solution in ethanol solution were prepared and used as the first coating to improve the hydrophobicity. The nettle extract encapsulated with royal seed gum as the second coating to improve the antibacterial activity. Hydrophobicity and antimicrobial properties of the samples were measured and compared. The cup mold specimen was made of 2-piece steel and made using appropriate rice straw paste and coating with the appropriate concentration of the sample in disposable cellulose.Results and DiscussionThe results showed that increasing the amount of sodium hydroxide in baking conditions increased the tensile strength and the degree of clarity, but it had no effect on hydrophobicity. As the concentration of baking soda (sodium hydroxide) increases, so does the brightness. Increasing the concentration of sodium hydroxide increases the tensile strength, and the increase in tensile strength due to the increase in the percentage of sodium hydroxide can be due to the increase in the ability to form bonds between fibers due to the release of lignin. Honey wax with a 5% concentration was the most optimal coating for hydrophobic cellulose containers. With increasing wax concentrations in ethanol solvents from 1 to 10 percent, water absorption by the paper made from rice straw has decreased by approximately 93 percent. Adding royal seed gum and nettle extract has a positive effect on the diameter of the halo and has antimicrobial properties. Honey wax with 5% and 10% concentration with nano-encapsulated nettle extract with royal seed gum was selected as the most suitable coating to improve antibacterial activity.ConclusionDue to the characteristics of rice straw and the experiments shown, rice straw can be considered as a suitable alternative to oil resources in the production and usage of disposable tableware. Rice straw has the potential to be used as a cellulose source for the production of disposable containers, and honey wax with a 5% concentration and nano-encapsulated nettle extract can improve the hydrophobic and antimicrobial properties as the airtight coating of the dishes.
Agricultural waste management
E. Alboativi; A. Asakereh; H. Zaki Dizaji; Y. Mansoori
Abstract
Introduction: Bagasse is the dry pulpy fibrous residue that remains after sugarcane stalks are crushed for juice extraction. Bagasse is widely used in conversional and by-product industries. Bagasse is commonly used as a substitute for wood in many tropical and subtropical countries for the production ...
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Introduction: Bagasse is the dry pulpy fibrous residue that remains after sugarcane stalks are crushed for juice extraction. Bagasse is widely used in conversional and by-product industries. Bagasse is commonly used as a substitute for wood in many tropical and subtropical countries for the production of pulp, paper, and board. One of the most important conversional industries in the sugarcane agro-industry is chipboard production. In recent years, two chipboard factories from bagasse were exploited in Khuzestan province. In the production of chipboard from bagasse, a lot of waste is produced, most of which include pith. The waste is transferred to the outside of the factory at a great cost and energy level. Also, annually, a large amount of surplus bagasse of conversional Industries is obtained in Khuzestan agro-industries. These wastes cause many environmental and health problems, while these wastes can be used to generate energy. On the other hand, chipboard industries consume a lot of energy which is mostly fossil energy. Nowadays, in many sugarcane agro-industries in different countries, wastes are used to generate energy for sugar plants and conversional industries. Bagasse is often used as a primary fuel source for sugar mills.Materials and Methods: Current research is focused on the direct energy consumed in chipboard production from sugarcane bagasse and whether it can be provided by using residues and wastes of Debal Khozaie Agro-Industry Company. Data were collected from agro-industry companies as well as by sampling and measuring waste, input and energy consumption at the chipboard factory of Debal Khozaie. Direct energy consumed in the chipboard production from bagasse includes diesel fuel, electricity, natural gas, and labor. Input and output values of materials (bagasse, pith, etc.), and energy consumption (electricity, diesel, natural gas, etc.) were collected using both laboratory tests and data available in agro-industry. Potential of energy generation from bagasse, pith, wood chips, and straw in Debal Khozaie agro-industry, were considered by the direct burning method. Also, the potential of biogas production from vinasse in agro-industry for energy production was calculated. The moisture of bagasse (fresh bagasse, 24 hours, five days, 30 days, and 45 days after gathering), outdoor dried pith, outdoor dried straw and wood chip were measured based on the ASTM D2974 standard method in the laboratory. Ash percentage of bagasse, peat, straw, and Wood chips were measured using a furnace, desiccator and a scale. Also, the lower heating value of bagasse, straw, pith, and wood chips were measured using a calorimeter bomb.Results and Discussion: The direct energy consumption in the chipboard factory was determined to be 5.829 GJ m-3 of produced chipboard. Natural gas and electricity were the major sources of direct energy with 78.52% and 18.87% share, respectively. To replace these sources, pith and woodchips form chipboard factory, sugarcane leaves, remainder sugarcane bagasse, and vinasse from molasses-based Razi alcohol factory were considered. Properties of the substituted resources were determined including ash, moisture content, heating value (using bomb calorimeter), and amount of woodchips along with the biogas potential from anaerobic fermentation of vinasse. Results showed that woody residues from chipboard factory and Debal Khozaie Agro-Industry Company had the potential to provide 4.33 fold the energy provided by gas in the chipboard factory, considering the efficiency equal to 60%. Using the residues of the chipboard factory individually, it is possible to replace all the consumed natural gas and electricity energy needed in the chipboard factory as well. According to the volume of available vinasse, the potential biogas production from this resource estimated to be 8.82 Gm3.Conclusion: Electricity, natural gas, and diesel fuel constitute the direct energy consumed in the production of chipboard, and natural gas with 78.52% has the highest share. Electricity accounts for 18.87% of direct energy consumption. The specific energy of chipboard production at the chipboard factory was 5.829 GJ m-3. Only using the pith of chipboard factory can produce 2.85 times the total energy of natural gas consumed in chipboard factory. Investigation of the potential of biogas production from vinasse in Debal Khozaie agro-industry showed that it is possible to generate energy equivalent to 8824.3 thousand cubic meters of natural gas. Overall, the study showed that using the wastes of chipboard factory and sugarcane agro-industry has the potential to replace the entire natural gas and electricity consumption in chipboard factory.
Modeling
M. Sami; A. Akram; M. Sharifi
Abstract
IntroductionThe need to develop alternative energy sources especially renewable energy has become increasingly apparent with the incident of fuel shortages and escalating energy prices in recent years. With the advent of renewable energy, various studies have been conducted to investigate the potential ...
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IntroductionThe need to develop alternative energy sources especially renewable energy has become increasingly apparent with the incident of fuel shortages and escalating energy prices in recent years. With the advent of renewable energy, various studies have been conducted to investigate the potential of biogas production from agricultural waste. Considering the importance of retention time and methane production potential for designing industrial digesters, many studies on potential analysis and modeling of the digestion process of different products have been carried out by various researchers. These studies are valuable for the design and implementation of anaerobic digesters. Apple is one of the most popular fruits in many parts of the world and is widely cultivated in many temperate regions of the world. Considering the large volume of apple waste in Iran, this study was designed based on potential evaluation and modeling of biogas production from apple pulp.Materials and MethodsIn order to measure the potential of biogas production from apple pomace, a number of lab-scale digesters with a capacity of 600 ml and a working capacity of 400-500 ml were made. pH and C/N ratio were modified by adding NaOH and urea solution, respectively. Three different temperature treatments including psychrophilic (ambient temperature), mesophilic (37ºC), and thermophilic (47ºC) were applied to the substrate. Used pomace samples were collected from the output of an apple juice factory in southern Isfahan province, Iran. Anaerobic Biodegradability (ABD) was obtained by dividing the experimental methane production potential (BMP) obtained from the experimental results on the theoretical methane production potential. Three most common kinetic models of Gompertz, Logistic, and Richards were used to predict and stimulate the cumulative methane production of treatments.Results and DiscussionUnder ambient temperature, the digestive process took a longer time, and the time of maximum dilly biogas production was considerably more than the other two treatments. Statistically, production time and peak time of this treatment was higher than the other two treatments at 1% significance level. Maximum daily biogas production in the ambient treatment was observed on day 37th with a volume of 6.99 g-VS-1 ml, while maximum daily biogas production in the treatments of 37 °C and 47 °C were observed on days 22th (20.16 ml g-VS-1) and 20th (25.57 ml g-VS-1), respectively. In all three treatments, daily biogas production increased sharply in the first incubation days and after that reduced and then production increased again. In mesophilic and thermophilic treatments, the production of biogas modestly stopped after 35 days, but under the ambient temperature, the process of production continued after 55 days. The methane concentration of biogas in the psychrophilic treatment was significantly lower than the other two treatments at 1% level. Two treatments of 37°C and 45°C have a significant difference in methane yield at 1% level. Nevertheless, the production of biogas in two treatments was not statistically different. In all three treatments, the lowest pH was recorded after 7 days of production and the highest pH was recorded on days 34-40. All three kinetic equations were able to simulate the methane production process with high precision, although the results of the Logistic model provided higher accuracy. In the treatment 47 °C, the efficiency of the studied equations was higher than other treatments and models were able to predict the production process with higher accuracy. Results of the experiment show the high biochemical methane production potential of apple pomace (473.17 ml g-VS-1), which under laboratory condition of this study up to 63.9% of this potential (302.70 ml g-VS-1) was obtained. ConclusionThis study results are valuable for the design and implementation of industrial digesters. The results indicate the apple pomace has a high potential for the production of methane and its biodegradability is high. Apart from pH that is acidic, other apple pulp factors are appropriate for the activity of methanogenic bacteria. In terms of nutrients, apple pomace is also a good environment for the growth of anaerobic bacteria.
Design and Construction
M. A. Ebrahimi-Nik; A. Rohani
Abstract
Introduction More than 40 percent of the world population is now dependent on biomass as their main source of energy for cooking. In Iran, the lack of access roads and inefficient transportation structure have made some societies to adopt biomass as the main energy source for cooking. In such societies, ...
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Introduction More than 40 percent of the world population is now dependent on biomass as their main source of energy for cooking. In Iran, the lack of access roads and inefficient transportation structure have made some societies to adopt biomass as the main energy source for cooking. In such societies, inefficient traditional three-wall cook stoves (TCS) are the sole method of cooking with biomass, which corresponds to the large fuel consumption and smoke emission. Biomass gasifier cook stoves have been on the focus of many studies as a solution for such regions. In these stoves, biomass is pyrolized with the supply of primary air. The pyrolysis vapors are then mixed with secondary air in a combustion chamber where a clean flame forms. In this study, a biomass cook stove was manufactured and its performance was evaluated feeding with three kind of biomass wastes (e.g. almond shell, wood chips, and corn cob). Materials and Methods A natural draft semi-gasifier stove was manufactured based on the stove proposed by (Anderson et al., 2007). It had two concentric metal cylinders with two sets of primary and secondary air inlet holes. It had 305 mm height and 200 mm diameter. The stove was fed by wood chips, almond shell, and corn cob. Thermal performance of the stove was evaluated based on the standard for water boiling test. It consisted of three phases of cold start, hot start, and simmering. Time to boil, burning rate, and fire power was measured in minute. A “K” type thermocouple was used to measure the water temperature. Emission of carbon monoxide from the stove was measured in three situations (e.g. open area, kitchen without hood, and kitchen under hood) using CO meter (CO110, Thaiwan). Results and Discussion Neither particulate matter nor smoke was visually observed during the stove operation except at the final seconds when the stove was going to run out of fuel. The flame color was yellow and partly blue. The average time to boil was 15 min; not significantly longer than that of the LPG stove (13 min). Time to boil in hot phase was almost the same for all fuels which is not in line with the studies reported by (Kshirsagar and Kalamkar, 2014; Ochieng et al., 2013; Parmigiani et al., 2014). This is probably due to the stove body material. In fact, the hot phase test, aims to show the effect of the stove body temperature on the performance. In contrast with the most of the stoves, the one was used in the present study was made of a thin (0.3 mm) iron sheet which has a high heat transfer and low heat capacity. This results in a rapid increase in the stove body temperature up to its highest possible. The longest flaming duration (51 min) was observed by 350 g almond shell. Thermal efficiency on the other hand, was different in using different biomass fuels. The average thermal efficiency of 40.8 was achieved by the stove which is almost three times of open fire. The results from emission test showed that the average of carbon monoxide surrounding the operator in the case of open area, kitchen without hood, kitchen under hood, and traditional open fire were 4.7, 7.5, 5.2, and 430 ppm, respectively. Conclusion The amount of carbon monoxide emitted to the room is in accordance with the US National ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) hence, compared with traditional methods of cooking in deprived regions, the stove burns cleaner with higher efficiency. In order to prohibit respiratory decreases in housekeeping women, this stove could be disseminated in some deprived regions of Iran.
Agricultural waste management
H. Zaki Dizaji; N. Monjezi
Abstract
Introduction No use of advanced mechanization and weakness in post harvesting technology are the main reasons of agricultural losses. Some of these wastes (agricultural losses) are related to crop growing conditions in field and the remaining to processing of sugar in mill. The most useful priority setting ...
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Introduction No use of advanced mechanization and weakness in post harvesting technology are the main reasons of agricultural losses. Some of these wastes (agricultural losses) are related to crop growing conditions in field and the remaining to processing of sugar in mill. The most useful priority setting methods for agricultural projects are the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). So, this study presents an introduction of application manner of the AHP as a mostly common method of setting agricultural projects priorities. The purpose of this work is studying the sugarcane loss during production process using AHP in Khuzestan province. Materials and Methods The resources of sugarcane waste have been defined based on expert’s opinions. A questionnaire and personal interviews have formed the basis of this research. The study was applied to a panel of qualified informants made up of thirty-two experts. Those interviewed were distributed in Sugarcane Development and By-products Company in 2015-2016. Then, with using the analytical hierarchy process, a questionnaire was designed for defining the weight and importance of parameters effecting on sugarcane waste. For this method of evaluation, three main criteria considered, were yield criteria, cost criteria and income criteria. Criteria and prioritizing of them was done by questionnaire and interview with sophisticated experts. This technique determined and ranked the importance of sugarcane waste resources based on attributing relative weights to factors with respect to comments provided in the questionnaires. Analytical Hierarchy Process was done by using of software (Expert choice) and the inconsistency rate on expert judgments was investigated. Results and Discussion How to use agricultural implements and machinery during planting and harvesting of sugarcane, can increase or decrease the volume of waste. In planting period, the losses mainly consists of loss of setts during cutting them by machine, injury the setts by biological and physical agents, loss of growth in sett field, unsuitable sett covering and replanting the gaps. During cultivation period the losses include late in field harvesting and so late in regrows the cane, unsuitable ratooning and use of cultivator, varying the size of the furrows and ricks in around the field and destroyed the stubbles during rationing. In harvesting the losses easily seen and mainly associated by efficiency of harvester machines. Billets loss of the fleet in the transmission roads toward mill and late in harvest the burnet cane and then transport to mill are main sources of quantities and qualities of losses. The Expert Choice software performed well in conjunction with the panel of experts for choosing the criteria and assigning weights under the AHP methodology. According to the results, effective parameters on sugarcane waste consist of caused by harvesting, transportation, industry, planting, preserve operations, ratooning and land preparation. Weight of effective criteria (yield, cost and income) on losses of sugarcane obtained from paired comparison in the experts’ view which has been calculated with Expert choice software. The result of this survey by AHP techniques showed that yield criteria had the most and income criteria had the least importance for expert in sugarcane production. In this stage of research, alternatives of paired comparison relative to criteria was separately formed and information of questionnaire which relates to paired comparison of criteria was obtained. Between effective parameters on losses of sugarcane, harvesting with 0.243 weighted average was the most effective factor and transportation with 0.187 weighted average, industry with 0.179 weighted average, planting with 0.156 weighted average, preserve operations with 0.109 weighted average, ratooning with 0.071 weighted average, and land preparation with 0.055 weighted average was later, respectively (Inconsistence Rate =0.04). The results are examined by monitoring sensitivity analysis while changing the criteria priorities. Since different judgments are made on comparison of criteria, we use sensitivity analysis in order to provide stability and consistence of analysis. With increasing or decreasing of the criteria, we will conclude that ratio of other indices will not change. Conclusion This paper looks at AHP as a tool used in Sugarcane Agro-Industries to help in decision making. Results show that criteria studied in this research can help prioritizing of loss resources during sugarcane production process. According to the results, effective parameters on sugarcane waste consist of caused by harvesting, transportation, industry, planting, preserve operations, ratooning and land preparation.
