Moisture-Dependent Physical Properties of Sunflower (SHF8190)

Mohammad Reza Seifi,Reza Alimardani

doi:10.5539/mas.v4n7p135

Abstract

Physical properties are very important in design and manufacturing of harvest and post harvest machines. In this research some physical properties of sunflower seeds (SHF8190 variety) were determined as a function of moisture content in the range of 4-22 % wet basis (w.b.) using standard techniques. The average length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, equivalent diameter, arithmetic diameter, sphericity, surface area and angle of repose ranged from 12.14 to 12.57 mm, 5.79 to 6.38 mm, 3.86 to 4.09 mm, 6.47 to 6.85 mm, 6.56 to 6.97 mm, 7.27 to 7.61 mm, 53.33% to 55.42%, 112.16 to 125.01 mm2 and 41 to 57° as the moisture content increased from 4% to 22% w.b., respectively. The thousand grain weight (TGW) increased from 80.3 to 96.8 g whereas the bulk density decreased from 410 to 380 kgm-3 and the true density from 740 to 980 kg m-3 with an increase in the moisture content range of 4–22 % w.b.The data of sunflower seeds showed that the porosity ranged from 44.59 to 61.22%. The static coefficient of friction of sunflower seeds increased linearly against different surfaces of structural materials, namely, plastic (0.29–0.55), plywood (0.36–0.53), and galvanized iron (0.36–0.55) and the static angle of repose increased from 41o to 57o, respectively when the moisture content increased from 4 % to 22% w.b.

Highlights

Among the most important crops which considered by Iran Agricultural Division are oilseeds, For instance sunflower oil seeds with cultivated area of about 10 thousands hectares in Golestan province, Iran as well as average yield of 1000 kgh-1 (Ghodsevali and Vafaei, 2008)
All dimensions have similar tendency and first decreased with the increase in moisture content from 4 to 12%, L started to increase in the range of 12-22% but W and T didn't have this behavior and again decreased with an increase in moisture content from 16 % to 22% w.b
As the moisture content increased from 4% - 22% w.b., thousand grain weight (TGW) increased considerably from 80.3 to 96.8 g (Fig. 4)

Summary

Introduction

Among the most important crops which considered by Iran Agricultural Division are oilseeds, For instance sunflower oil seeds with cultivated area of about 10 thousands hectares in Golestan province, Iran as well as average yield of 1000 kgh-1 (Ghodsevali and Vafaei, 2008). True density and porosity can be useful in sizing grain hoppers and storage facilities. They can affect the rate of heat and mass transfer of moisture during aeration and drying processes. The static coefficient of friction is used to determine the angle at which chutes must be positioned in order to achieve consistent flow of materials through the chute. Such information is useful in sizing motor requirements for grain transportation and handling (Ghasemi Varnamkhasti et al, 2007)

Methods

Results

Conclusion