Abstract
Crop residues are bulky and low in nutrients. Their size reduction is imperative in order to compound them with other feed ingredients to achieve balanced feedstock for livestock. A chopping and pulverizing machine was designed and constructed to chop and pulverized feed materials. It comprises of chopping hopper, pulverizing hopper, metering device, chopping/ pulverizing chamber, screen and the processed feed outlet. The performance of the machine was evaluated on the basis of throughput capacity, pulverizing efficiency, scatter losses as dependent variables while moisture content was the independent variable. There were two level of speeds (1500 rpm and 2100 rpm) and five levels of moisture content (13 %, 16 %, 19 %, 21 %, 24 %, and 27 % dry basis). The throughput capacity, pulverizing efficiency had highest values of 222 kg/h and of 92.5 % respectively at moisture content level of 13 % (db) and 2100 rpm speed. However, the least scatter losses obtained was 2.5 % at moisture content level of 27 % (db) and 1500 rpm speed. As the moisture content increased, throughput capacity, pulverizing efficiency and scatter losses decreases at both speeds. The developed machine could enhance the use of crop residues in feeding livestock which could ultimately reduce the cost of livestock feed production.
Highlights
That size reduction of feed ingredients further enhances the ability of livestock to digest the nutrients in the feeds
The bulkiness and low nutrients content of the crop residues necessitate size reduction in order to be compounded with other feed ingredients to achieve balanced feedstock for livestock
It was observed that the throughput capacity decreased as the moisture content increased at both speeds. This could be due to the fact that at low moisture content it was easier to pulverize the feed material because of being crispy in nature thereby leading to high throughput capacity
Summary
That size reduction of feed ingredients further enhances the ability of livestock to digest the nutrients in the feeds. The bulkiness and low nutrients content of the crop residues necessitate size reduction in order to be compounded with other feed ingredients to achieve balanced feedstock for livestock. The aim of this study was to design, fabricate and investigate the performance of a combined feed chopping and pulverizing machine for processing crop residue for ease of pellet formation from them. Fabrication materials to withstand the various loads from the operation of the machine were duly considered. Arrangement of the chopping knifes, pulverizing hammers and aperture of screen to give desired material sizes were considered. In order to design the hammers inside the pulverizing chamber, equation (1) given by Khurmi and Gupta (2005) was used
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
