Abstract
The macaw palm has been domesticated due to its potential use in the production of biofuel, in addition to several co-products that can be generated from its oil and pulp. One of the current challenges in this area is the harvesting, as there are no specific machines for this operation. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the appropriate information regarding the physical properties of the plant, so that it is feasible to develop the technologies necessary for the commercial scale application of macaw palm, allowing it to contribute to the sustainable production of raw material for the biofuel industry and other co-products. The principle of mechanical vibration can be used to shed fruit from trees when ripe, and it can be a method used for harvesting. Thus, as proposed in this study, it was necessary to study the dynamic behavior of the fruit-rachilla system during vibration. Hence, the modal properties of the system were determined. A study on the dynamic behaviors was carried out using a deterministic finite element model, and the natural frequencies were obtained through a frequency-scanning test to evaluate the model. The mean relative error (MRE) between the measured and simulated natural frequencies was also used to evaluate the model. The natural frequencies, determined experimentally, varied from 26.21 to 33.45 Hz on average, whereas the simulated frequencies varied from 24.81 to 39.27 Hz. The overall MRE was 9.08%. Once the model was validated, a sensibility test was carried out, which showed that the density of fruit and the elasticity modulus are the parameters that most influence the natural frequencies of the fruit-rachilla system.
Highlights
There are many studies, even if they are just beginning, about oil quality, genetic improvement, taxonomy of the palm popularly known as macaw palm
The objective of this work was to develop a model to describe the dynamic behavior of the macaw palm fruit-rachilla system, and to simulate this system in order to identify which parameter has the greatest influence on its natural frequencies
A model was developed to estimate the modal properties of the macaw palm fruit-rachilla system
Summary
There are many studies, even if they are just beginning, about oil quality, genetic improvement, taxonomy of the palm popularly known as macaw palm. The macaw palm is a promising crop as a feedstock for biofuels owing to its high oil yield and quality; it is still employed using an extractive system. One of the main challenges in the Brazilian agro-energy sector is related to the generation of information and technology to develop a sustainable. Modal properties of macaw palm source of feedstock for the production of biofuels [1, 2]. The use of new technologies for fruit harvesting and processing is essential to allow the macaw palm to become commercially profitable to farmers, and to facilitate intensive exploitation. The fruits are allowed to ripen and come off the bunch falling to the ground
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 callDisclaimer: 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.
