Rice Mechanization Center Research Articles

Development of a Combine Hoeing Machine for Flat and Ridged Soil

This study aims to develop a suitable hoeing machine for the crop planted at flat and the ridged soil with ridges reforming, and evaluate it by studying some effective factors such as blades shape, kinematic indices, crop planting methods and power requirements. The experiments were carried out in the Rice Mechanization Center at Meet El Deeba, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate. The results indicated that using the developed machine using L-shaped blade increased the weeding efficiency by about 4%, plants damage about 0.8%, operating power requirement about 1.6% in comparison with C-shaped blade. In addition increasing the kinematic index increased the weeding efficiency and also plants damage percentage using L and C-shaped blades and crop planting methods.

Effect of Frequently Using Workshop Tools on Worker's Hand Arm Vibration and Safety

In the workshops of agricultural sector there are a lot of technical jobs which widely use hand-held or bench-top workshop power tools such as angle grinders, drills, riveters, chain saw, pneumatic hammers and torque wrenches. Which consider the most important sources of hand arm vibration (HAV) These workshop power tools are known to transmit substantial vibrations to the operators/worker's hand and arm and act as vibrations resource consequently, create problems for operators/workers who regularly exposure to hand arm vibrations. Therefore, the main objective of this investigation is to study the effect of frequently using of workshop tools on worker's hand arm vibration and safety. The study selected eight representatives healthy workers were well familiar with the workshop power tools control levers and had sufficient experience of operating some power tools from both bench-top and hand held workshop power tools (stand drill, wheel grinder, disc cutter, angle grinder impact drill, and rotary hammer drill with different spare discs under two different working postures as vertically erected and squeeze) during five different operations, namely, grinding, drilling, cutting, breaking and polishing using three types of materials (metal, wood and concrete). Parameters such as frequency-weighted vibration acceleration in root mean square (RMS), heart pulses rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), work related body pain (WRBP), stand height, arm length and mass of operators were evaluated. Vibration measurements were performed according to (ISO 5349-2: 2001). Workshops operations were conducted in a statistically designed layout (randomized complete blocks design) and were conducted at applied research farm of Rice Mechanization Center, Meet Eldeeba, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, in the 2018. The obtained results indicated that the cutting by the angle grinder gives the highest HAV data of the frequency weighted RMS acceleration magnitude while, the largest single orthogonal axis is in the axis (X) which exceeded than both of exposure action value and exposure limit value. This causes a high risk on the worker hand-arm which increases the heart rate and blood pressure followed by the polishing by the hand angle grinder. On the other hand, the HAV emission level recorded the lowest values during grinding by the bench-top wheel grinder and drilling by the bench-top stand drill consequently; there is no risk on the operator hand-arm and also the heart rate and blood pressure. Using rubber gloves during cutting by the hand angle grinder leads to a decrement percentages in the HAV values and so heart rate and blood pressure. The maximum WRBP values were obtained during the cutting by the angle grinder on working squeeze posture followed by cutting by the angle grinder on working normal posture and polishing by the angle grinder. Maximum pain levels of 15.6, 14.8 and 13.6 (Borg scale) were observed respectively. Results showed that there are significant differences between RMS, SBP, DSBP and heart rate during the different workshop operations.

EFFECT OF SOLAR DRYING ON THE QUALITY OF CORN SEEDS

The main objective of this investigation was carried out to study the ability of utilizing greenhouse solar dryers for drying of corn in order to obtain the best quality of dried grains for using it as seeds with the least drying time, and comparing with the natural sun drying method. Thus, contributing to increase the productivity. Corn cv. (Giza 168) was used for the experimental work at initial moisture content of 31.73% on dry basis (d.b). Two different drying methods of corn were tested for drying of ear and shelled corn. The two methods were natural sun drying and solar drying using greenhouse type solar dryers at different air velocities (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 m/s). The experiments were carried out in rice mechanization center at Meet El- Dyba, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt during September 2016. Experiment included the flowing variables Two different drying methods (Solar drying method using greenhouse type solar dryer and natural sun drying method). Two different conditions of corn (complete ear-shelled corn). Three different air velocity (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 m/s). High moisture ear and shelled corn was dried by using solar energy for heating air inside a greenhouse and compared with natural sun drying method. The results of quality tests that included standard germination test, vigor test and tetrazolium test for both drying methods for ear and shelled corn recorded high percentages for all treatments except solar drying of ear corn at air velocities 0.5 and 1.0 m/s. The average air temperature inside the solar dryer at air velocities 0.5 and 1.0 m/s reached to 43.9 and 42.4 ˚C respectively. High temperatures killed the germ of corn so the quality tests were reduced. Germination percentage of natural sun dried ear corn was 97 % and for solar dried samples at air velocities 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 m/s was 79, 81, and 89%, respectively. The corresponding values for shelled corn were 93, 97 and 98 %.and 95 % for natural sun dried ones. The vigor test of dried ear corn recorded 90 for natural sun drying method and 34, 45, and 66% for solar drying at air velocities of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 m/s, respectively. The corresponding values for shelled corn were 86, 96 and 97% respectively, and 82 for natural sun dried samples. The recorded drying times were 26, 24 and 28 hours to reduce the moisture content from an initial level of 31.73 to final level of 14.07% (d.b.) for ear corn and for shelled corn were 20, 16 and 24 hours to reduce the moisture content from an initial level of an initial level of 31.73 to final level of 14.07% (d.b.) for ear corn and for shelled corn were 20, 16 and 24 hours to reduce the moisture content from an initial level of 27.23% to 14.12% compared with 46 and 38 hours for ear and shelled corn dried by natural sun drying method. Hourly costs of ear corn drying were 0.95, 0.88, 1.00 and 1.03 L.E/ kg for solar drying at air velocities 0.5, 1.0 , 1.5m/s and natural sun drying respectively. The corresponding values for shelled corn were 0.74, 0.58, 0.89 and 0.96 L.E/ kg.

MANUFACTURING AND EVALUATION OF PROTOTYPE FOR MELON SEED EXTRACTION

Manual extraction process of melon seed is the most-used method in Egypt and requires large number of labors. In addition to high cost associated with the manual extraction. So, this research therefore developed locally manufactured prototype to mechanically extract seeds from melon with lower cost and higher productivity. The manufactured prototype consists of frame, feeding hopper, crushing and extracting unit, peels outlet, conveying auger of seeds, cleaning brushes and seeds outlet. Proposed prototype was tested and evaluated at Eletad village and Rice Mechanization Center (RMC), Agricultural Mechanization Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture (Meet El Dyba, Kafr El-Sheikh governorate) during the year of 2015. The prototype evaluation done based on cleaning efficiency, extraction efficiency, machine productivity, power consumed, seed damaged and operational cost. Prototype evaluation was done at four different feeding rates (20, 30, 40 and 50 kg/min), five drum speeds (3.25, 5.47, 6.98, 8.52 and 10.64 m/s) and four time spans (0, 3, 6 and 9 days). The results showed that the increase in crushing drum speed, melon seed time span and decreasing feed rate tend to decrease the cleaning efficiency, where the highest value of cleaning efficiency was 88.83 % at crushing drum speed of 10.64 m/s, feed rate of 20 kg/min and melon seed time span 9 days after harvesting. Also, the decrease of crushing drum speed, melon seed feed rate and increasing melon seed time span tend to increasing extraction efficiency, where the maximum value of extraction efficiency was 98.85 % at crushing drum speed of 3.25 m/s, feed rate of 20 kg/min and melon seed time span 9 day. Machine productivity increased by increasing feed rate, melon seed time span and decreasing crushing drum speed, where maximum value of machine productivity was 152.14 kg/h at crushing drum speed of 3.25 m/s, feed rate of 50 kg/min and melon seed time span 9 day. Power consumption increased by increasing crushing drum speed, melon seed feed rate and melon seed time span, where the minimum value of power consumption was to 2.61 kW at crushing drum speed of 3.25 m/s, feed rate of 50 kg/min and melon seed time span 9 day. Total costs increased by increasing crushing drum speed and decreasing both melon feed rate and melon seed time span, where the minimum value of total cost was 0.273 LE/kg at crushing drum speed of 3.25 m/s, melon seed feed rate of 50 kg/min and melon seed time span 9 day.

MANUFACTURING OF SUN TRACKING AND REFLECTOR SYSTEM TO SUITABLE PV PANEL UNDER EGYPTIAN CONDITIONS

Egypt has a high potential of solar energy, which can be considered as a reliable energy source during most of year because it lies within the subtropical regain. Sun tracking and reflector Systemwas designed in Agricultural Engineering Dept., Faculty of Agric., Kafrelsheikh University and performed in summer and winter 2010/2011 at Rice Mechanization Center (RMC), Meet El-Deyba, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate Egypt. Therefore, the main objectives of the present study were: to design sun tracking system of the photovoltaic modules horizontally and vertically with reflector under different operation conditions. The treatments were panel temperature in (summer and winter), daily solar radiation, panel tilt angles: (0⁰- 20⁰ -30⁰ in summer) and (0⁰ -30⁰ -50⁰ in winter), panel orientation: (toward south along daytime- sun tracking from east to west) and using mirror as reflector of sun rays. The results illustrated that, by increasing panel temperature tended to decrease both of maximum output power PV and panel efficiency at constant of solar radiation. By increasing solar radiation from 200 to 911.39W/m2 tended to increase both of maximum output power PV and panel efficiency by 77.18 and 7.91%, respectively at PV temperature of 30⁰C. The best performance of panel was achieved when panel was sun tracking from east to west at panel tilt angle of 20⁰ in summer and 50⁰ in winter. The values of daily collected radiation, maximum output power and panel efficiency were 683.22W/m2, 98.18W and 9.69% in summer and 518.85W/m2, 87.73W and 11.669 % in winter, respectively. The gain in collected radiation and output electric power due to sun tracking was higher than the gain in collected radiation and output electric power due to change the tilt angle. The benefit ratio of collected radiation is higher than the benefit ratio of output electric power for all operations in summer and winter. The performance of the panel improved by the application of the reflector.

MANUFACTURING AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF AUTOMATIC ORANGE GRADING PROTOTYPE

Manual grading of fruits is a time and labours consuming process and results in inability of proper grading. In addition, the manual grading is not yet economically visible at the processing scale and with large quantities of fruits. Therefore, this research therefore developed and manufactured an automated grading prototype which is able to incorporate flexibility and separate selected orange . However, at the same time move objects automatically to the defined places by the regulation of the integrated load cells sensors, microcontroller and relay switch circuit (RSC) to detect a value range of weight and to drive the grading gates and required movements. The prototype consists of feeding unit and grading unit as two major components. Both components are working together smoothly and in sequence to transfer and sort the received orange fruits by implementing different mechanical and electronic parts through proper frames, transmission and control systems. Feeding unit’ main components were; electric motor, transmission systems, feeding hopper, conveyer chain and spoons. Grading unit consists of frame, connecting belt, weight sensing area, gates’ open-close control units and distribution gates. The automatic grading prototype was tested and evaluated at Rice Mechanization Center (RMC), Agricultural Mechanization Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture (Meet El Dyba, Kafrelsheikh governorate) during the period from 2014 to 2016. The performance evaluation was conducted at two distances between spoons on conveyer chain (182 and 364 mm), four different surfaces of the belt that connect feeding unit to weight sensing area (wood, cotton, linen and leather), grading with and without infrared control unit and three sensing time (3, 6 and 9 sec) for Valencia orange fruits. Physical and mechanical properties were measured and recorded for processed fruits. The results showed that the grading prototype is quite successful for grading Valencia orange. The optimum operational conditions for maximizing the grading efficiency were 182 mm distance between spoons, 3 sec for sensing the weight and using infrared unit to control the feeding rate. Technical evaluation also showed that the maximum productivity value of the grading prototype was 0.47 Mg/h for Valencia orange with the optimum operational parameters. The cost of materials and fabrications of such prototype was 10,000 LE and total operational cost of the prototype was 26 LE/ h, while, optimum production cost were 55 LE/Mg for Valencia orange with the optimum operational parameters.

UTILIZATION OF HEAT EXCHANGERS IN DRYING OF FISH FARM WASTES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FEED CONCENTRATES

Due to increasing the prices of fish and animal feed, a big gap in feed nutrition is generated. Also the increment necessitates of the sources of animal protein creates and maximize this nutritional gap in Egypt. So the creation of local and alternative source of feed concentrates instead of import is needed. Huge quantities of small sizes of fish are thrown on land without any manipulation during fish ponds harvesting. It is necessary to process and recycle these wastes in order to be a useful component. Drying process was used in the present investigation for fish wastes treatment that adds to obtain feed concentrates with low costs (Fishmeal). Therefore, the objective of this research work is to dry a sample of the whole fish waste, by using the heat exchangers, at the experimental station of Rice Mechanization Center (RMC), Meet Eldeebah village, Kafr Elsheikh Governorate during September of the year 2015 by using a stream of hot air at different drying air velocities of 1.5, 2 and 3m/s. The manufactured heat exchanger has the cylindrical shape. Its dimensions were of 30.48cm in diameter internal, 50cm in diameter external and 150cm long. The heat exchanger is connected with a flat plate solar collector with the dimensions of 100 x 100cm. The working medium in the heat exchanger is the hot water output of flat plate solar collector. The extreme values of thermal energy stored in water and thermal efficiency of the solar system are of 50.284 and 53.549%, respectively. Maximum effectiveness of the parallel flow system was of 28.152% with the drying air velocity of 1.5m/s, whereas for the counter flow system was of 19.46% with the drying air velocity of 2m/s. Also, the highest values of heat energy transferred rate from water to air were of 2.21kW and 2.81kW with the drying air velocity of 3m/s for the parallel and counter flow heat exchangers, respectively. In general the counter is better than the parallel system with the maximum drying rate of 0.42kg water/(kg dry matter. min) at drying air velocity of 1.5m/s. Maximum internal energy of water tank was of 6.09kJ at 5.00PM, temperature of water was of 40.6ᵒC and less radiation was of 77.43W/m2. In addition, maximum exergy rate of the parallel flow system was of 2.49kW with drying air velocity of 2m/s, whereas for the counter flow system was of 0.433kW with the drying air velocity of 3m/s.Maximum specific enthalpy of the parallel and counter drier units of drying air are of 214.56 and 180kJ/kg at drying air velocity of 2m/s, respectively. While specific enthalpy of drying air of counter drier unit is higher than that of parallel one at drying air velocities of 1.5 and 3m/s while lower at drying air velocity of 2m/s.

EFFECT OF SPRINKLER IRRIGATION AND LAND PREPARATION SYSTEMS ON SOYBEAN CROP PRODUCTION IN CLAYEY SOIL

Properirrigation systems essential for maximum soybean production and becomes even more important withideal land preparation system. A field study was conducted at the research farm of Rice Mechanization Center (RMC), Meet El-Deeba, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt during the summer seasons 2015 and 2016.The aim of the present research was to study the effect of sprinkler irrigation and land preparation systems on Soybean productivity.The sprinkler irrigation system was studiedatthree different distances between sprinklers;D1= 9m (50% diameter of throw ), D2= 10.8m (60% diameter of throw) and D3=14.5m (80% diameter of throw ) and three different values of applied water;60,80 and 100% from crop evapotranspiration (ETc).The land preparation systems were: LP1(Chiseling twice + leveling),LP2 (Chiseling one pass + rotary two passes + leveling) and LP3 (Moldboard one pass + rotary one pass + leveling). The experimental results revealed that: · LP3 treatment gave the least soil bulk density for three layers comparing with other land preparation systems. Also, it gave the average of lowest infiltration rate value (2 mm/h) that obtained after 110 min of infiltration time. · The highest value of soil penetration resistance was 13.02 kg/cm2 which obtained at LP2treatment while the lowest value was 11.83 kg/cm2at LP3 treatment. · Increasing distances between sprinklers from 9 to 14.5 m tended to decrease Christiansen uniformity coefficient (Cu) by 11.14% and distribution uniformity (Du) by 21.97%. · The highest soybean yield value was 1650 kg/fed.that obtained at 100% ETc, D1 and LP3 treatment, while the lowest soybean yield value was 683 kg/fed. that obtained at 60% ETc, D3 and LP2 treatment. Soybean yield value was 1295 kg/fed.for traditional furrow irrigation (control treatment). · Highest value of soil dehydrogenase was 20.4 mg g-1dry soil/96 h obtained at 100% ETc, D1 and LP2 treatment, while the lowest value was 6.28 mg g-1dry soil/96 h that obtained at 60% ETc, D3 and LP1 treatment. The highest value of irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE)was 0.53 kg/m3obtained at 60% ETc, D1 and LP3 while the lowest value was 0.31 kg/m3obtained at 60% ETc,D3 and LP2.

EFFECT OF ANHYDROUS-AMMONIA INJECTION ON PLANT AND SOIL MICRO-ORGANISMS BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES

Agricultural practices such as seedbed preparation systems and fertilization especially Anhydrous-Ammonia had a great impact on plant and soil microbial community which were sensitive indicators of changes in soil. A field experiment was carried out at the research farm of Rice Mechanization Center (RMC), Meet El-Deyba, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, during growing the winter wheat season 2015-2016 to study the interaction effect of anhydrous-ammonia injection and seedbed preparation systems on wheat growth/yield and soil micro-organisms biological activities. Anhydrous-Ammonia was injected in soil with two levels, of 75 Kg N/fed (A.A.1), and 94 Kg N/fed (A.A.2) which represent 100% and 125% of nitrogen recommended dose and granulated urea, (control) 46.5% at three doses according to agronomy recommendations. While, the applied seedbed preparation systems were Heavy system, HS (Moldboard plough one pass followed by Chisel plough twice and laser leveling), Moderate system, MS (Chisel plough one pass followed by Rotary twice and laser leveling) and Conventional system, CS (Chisel plough twice and wooden leveling). However, the used different wheat cultivars were Gemmiza 11and Shandweel. Soil micro-organism biological activity, wheat plant growth activity and wheat yield and its components were measured and determined to realize the objective of this investigation. The Soil micro-organism biological activity and wheat plant growth activity were done at different three times of 4 days, 1 month after Anhydrous-Ammonia injection and after wheat crop harvesting. The obtained results indicated that: The population and activity of soil micro-organisms increased as the length of time increased compared with applied Urea fertilizer. Approximately, one month after A.A.1 injection, the populations of a bacterial group were increased by an average of 57.8 and 58.6% while, the fungi group was increased by an average of 53.5 and 55.2% compared with 65.1 and 66.0% for actinomycetes group during growing Gemmiza 11 and Shandweel wheat cultivars, respectively. Using MS seedbed preparation system gave the highest values of the total grain yield of 18.5, 29.6 and 24.1 Ardb/Fed. were obtained for Gemmiza wheat cultivars compared with 17, 24.8 and 20.3 Ardb/Fed. for Shandweel wheat cultivars under applied fertilizer levels of Urea, A.A.1 and A.A.2, respectively. Finally, from mentioned above and analyses of yield and its components, the authors recommended the wheat farmers in Egypt using MS seedbed preparation system and applied fertilizer level A.A.1 to get high wheat yield and maintain the soil in a good biological state.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS ON SOYBEAN PRODUCTION UNDER CLAYEY SOIL CONDITIONS

Water is considered one of the most critical input resources for sustainable development at crop production. Selecting suitable irrigation system is very important to get high crop production and overcome water shortage.A field experiment was carried out at Rice Mechanization Center (RMC), Meet El-Deepa, and Kafer El–Sheikh Governorate during summer season 2014/2015 for soybean. The main aim of this research is to study the effect of different drip irrigation treatments on the productivity of soybean crop and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) under clayey soil conditions. The field treatments were designed as a split plots experimental design. The main plots were operating pressure head levels of 6(P1), 5(P2), 4(P3), and 3 meter (P4).Sub-main plots were included continuous drip irrigation (C), two levels of pulse drip irrigation in 15 min on/15 min off (S1) and 20 min on/20min off (S2) with three replication. Furrow irrigation (Tf) was used as control treatment soybean productivity, irrigation water use efficiency IWUE, uniformity parameters, and some plant characteristics were conducted to evaluate the performance of irrigation system and operating pressures. The important results indicated that: Pulsed drip irrigation achieved a good water distribution in clayey soil. Soybean productivity was increased by the percentage of 24.9, 23.7, 19.3, 14.0, 1.2% comparing with (Tf) for P1S1, P1S2, P1C, P2S1, P2S2, respectively. Wherever, it was decreased by the percentage of 2.8, 3.6, 21.1, 26.5, 37.5, 47.7 % comparing with Tf for P2C, P3S1, P3S2, P3C, P4S1, P4S2, P4C, respectively. The results showed that the highest values of IWUE and distribution uniformity were 0.54 kg/m3 at P1S1 treatment and 96.61% at 6m pressure operating head (P1). Application of pulsed drip irrigation was more effective to improve the front wetting zone of clay soil. In conclusion, pulse drip irrigation treatment of (15 min open/15 min close) and operating pressure head of 6m gave the best results.

MANUFACTURING A SMALL MACHINE TO SUIT TOPPING SUGAR BEET

The experiments are to carried out in Rice Mechanization Center, Meet El-Deeba, Kafr El Sheikh Governorate. Field experiments are to be carried out to evaluate the performance of the manufactured topping unit at the following topper three forward speeds of 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5km/h, three topping heights of 2, 4, and 6cm, the clearance can be adjusted between the knife and the feeler.(Level vertical and horizontally), (clearance between knife and feeler wheel), and three sugar beet moisture content of 50.0, 42.0 and 35.0 %. Theoretical field capacity, actual field capacity, field efficiency, fuel consumption, power requirements, energy requirements, topping performance and topping cost operation (transplanter, unit topper and labor costs) product losses cost (losses price) were studied to evaluate topping performance.

MANUFACTURE A NEW PROTOTYPE FOR CHOPPING RICE AND BARLEY STRAW FOR PRODUCING THE LITTER OF POULTRY HOUSES

The experimental work was carried out at Rice Mechanization Center, Meet Eldeebah village, Kafr Elsheikh governorate during harvesting session of 2013, to manufacture a new prototype for chopping rice and barley straw for producing the litter of poultry houses. The investigated variables were straw feed rate (0.15, 0.16, 0.17 and 0.18kg/s) and chaff cutting length (1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 5cm). The effect of these variables on the prototype productivity, cutting efficiency and the energy consumed, ware investigated, the main results summarized as: At 0.16 kg/s feed rate, the productivity increased from 0.56 to 1.9t/h for rice, and from 0.41 to 1.39 t/h for barley when the cutting length increased from 1.5 to 5 cm. At 1.5cm cutting length, by increasing the feed rate from 0.15 to 0.18 kg/s, the prototype cutting efficiency decreased from 75 to 70 % for rice, and from 81 to 75.6 % for barley. The energy consumption rate of prototype decreased with increasing the feed rate of rice and barley straw. At 1.5cm cutting length, by increasing the feed rate from 0.15 to 0.18 kg/s, the energy consumption rate of prototype decreased from 9.84 to 8.36kw.h/t for rice, and from 8.36 to 7.1 kW.h/t for barley. Evaluation of using of two cutting methods (manufacture and normal) of shaving woods, barley and rice straw as bedding materials and mixture between barley + rice straw (1:1) on broiler performance, carcass yields, Bedding characteristics and chemical analysis of broiler meat, the body weight gain and feed intake, as well as, feed conversion ratio were improved (P<0.05) with the prototype cutting than normal cutting system.

DRYING BEHAVIORS OF WATER HYACINTH BY MULTI-TRAY SOLAR DRYER

This study evaluated the drying behaviors of complete and compressed water hyacinth (WH) by Multi-tray solar dryer under Kafrelsheikh governorate weather conditions during summer season, 2013. A multi-tray solar dryer, which manufactured and tested in Rice Mechanization Center, Agric. Eng. Res. Inst. for drying fish successfully, was used. Heated air in solar air collector was forced through the drying chamber by a radial fan. In order to explain the drying behavior of WHs, four different mathematical models were compared and the moisture ratios obtained experimentally and the drying coefficients of models tested were determined by nonlinear regression analysis. The experimental data were fitted into Newton, Page’s, Henderson and Pabis and Logarithmic drying models. During the drying period, ambient and drying air temperatures, relative humidity and the losses of mass were measured continuously. The average ambient temperature, air temperature and relative humidity of drying chamber and solar radiation incident were of about 30.3oC, 51.5oC, 36%, 540W/m2, respectively. Drying took place entirely in the falling rate period. The drying rate decreased with increasing drying time and decreasing moisture content. The compressed WH had the shortest drying time than the complete WH samples. The solar drier increased drying rate by about 1.5-2 times, while the drying time decreased by 50% as compared to sun drying samples. The logarithmic model could adequately describe the drying behaviors of complete and compressed WH by multi-tray solar drier and has shown a better fit to the experimental drying data with highest coefficient of determination (0.997) and lowest χ 2, MBE and RMSE. Effective moisture diffusivity values of complete and compressed WH of about 6.65 x 10-8m2/s and 8.16 x 10-8m2/s, respectively. The results obtained are comparable to some of the reported works.

EFFECT OF AIR FLOW RATE OF WINNOWING FAN ON PERFORMANCE OF RICE COMBINE HARVESTER MACHINE

Field experiments were carried out at the experimental field of Rice Mechanization center, Meet El-Deeba, kafre El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt. Japanese combine harvesting machine, yanmar model CA- 385 (hold-in), cutting width 1400 mm, crawler traveling unit, adjusted pick tines and star wheels, were tested at three air flow rates of (0.25, 0.32 and 0.40 m3/s) and three different forward speeds of (0.94,1.62 and 2.88 km/h). The combine test to harvest rice variety (Sakha 101). The results revealed that all kinds of losses (header and threshing) was minimum of 0.69 and 0.90% at forward speed of 0.94 km/h. Also, the lowest value of cleaning and total losses was 0.30 and 1.89% at air flow rate 0.25 m3/s and forward speed of 0.94 km/h, respectively. The highest value of combine performance efficiency was 98.0% at air flow rate of 0.25m3/s and forward speed of 0.94km/h. By decreasing the air flow rate from 0.40. 0.32 and 0.25 m3/s tends to increase the whole grain from (79.2, 80.7 and 84.3%), empty grain form (0.44, 0.55 and 0.81%), impurity from (0.35, 0.51 and 1.0%) and grain with pedicel from (8.3, 13.8 and 16.4%), respectively, at forward speed of 0.94 km/h. Increasing the forward speed from 0.94, 1.62 and 2.88 km/h tends to decrease the criterion cost from 99.7,98.2and 97.3 LE/fed.

EFFECT OF CONTINUOUS AND INTERMITTENT AERATION ON COMPOSTING OF POULTRY LITTER AND COTTON STALKS

The present study was carried out at Rice Mechanization Center, Meet El-Deeba, Kafrelsheikh governorate, Egypt during the year of 2013. The influence of forced aeration modes (continuous and intermittent aeration) at three levels of aeration rates of 0.13, 0.16 and 0.19m3/h on composting of poultry litter and cotton stalks were studied using metal vessels. Three various levels of intermittent aeration (45, 30 and 15min/h) were tested. Temperature was monitored and recorded as the most important indicator of the efficiency and effectiveness of the composting process. Also, the moisture content and Carbon:Nitrogen (C:N) ratio of the initial composting mixture were adjusted at about 61.53% and 32:1, respectively. The moisture content and pH value were measured during composting process. Total organic matter, bulk density, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen and total organic carbon were measured on the initial composting mixture and at the final composting product. Moreover, the most important results showed that the maximum temperature of 65.45oC (at thermophilic phase) was recorded after twenty-six days from the beginning of composting time at the intermittent aeration of 30min/h and the aeration rate of 0.16m3/h. In all vessels the moisture content and C:N ratio decreased and were proportional to temperature and aeration conditions. However, the lowest time for cooling down and maturing compost was of sixty-four days at 30min/h and 0.16m3/h aeration conditions. The initial bulk density of the mixture compost materials decreased from 34.8 to 13.9% at the end composting process depending on the aeration conditions.

PERFORMANCE OF RICE STRAW CHOPPER AND ENVIRONMENT PRESERVATION

Crop residues are one of the most critical problems which face the Egyptian farmer specially after harvesting crops such as rice cotton and other different farm crops. Field experiments were conducted at Rice Mechanization center, Meet El – Deeba, Kafr El – Sheikh Governorate during summer season of 2009/2010. The present study was carried out by using a straw chopper to show the effect of straw moisture content (40.0, 25.0, and 15.0 %), machine forward speed (2.0,3.1, and 4.5 km/h) and different cutter head knives speed (23.0, 26.5, 29.5, and 33.0 m/s) on chopping length, machine capacity, chopping efficiency, degree of destruction, energy requirements and unit cost .The results indicated that increase the forward speed from (2.0 to 4.5km/h) tends to increase the chopping length from (14.0 to 17.0mm),machine capacity (1.50 to 1.70 Mg/h), energy required (3.198 to 3.717kW.h/Mg) and unit cost from (5.50 to 7.90 LE/Mg), respectively. Whilst, the increase of cutter head knives speed from (23.0 to 33.0 m/s)tends to decrease the chopping length from (14.0 to 10.5mm) and increase energy required (2.593 to 3.198 kW.h/Mg), chopping efficiency (79.0 to 88.0 %) and degree of destruction (52.0 to 62.0 %), respectively. Also, straw moisture content of 40.0 % gave the highest values of machine capacity, chopping length, chopping efficiency and degree of destruction as follows (1.70Mg/h, 10.5mm, 91.0% and 65.0%, respectively ).

DEVELOPING AND MAXIMIZING THE PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL THRESHING MACHINE FOR SMALL HOLDING TO SUIT CHOPPING AND SHREDDING CROPS RESIDUES

Stationary threshing and winnowing machine model El-Haddad-WZ-1 for small holding was designed by El-Haddad, 2000 in Agricultural Engineering Dept., Faculty of Agric., Kafr El-Sheikh University. It was tested in Rice Mechanization Center for threshing and winnowing of rice crop. It was used to chopandshred rice straw crop tomaximize the performance of this machine and increasing yearly working hours, Results of the original machine showed that, it can not cut rice straw into small pieces without accumulation problems occurred in the threshing chamber especially with feeding of complete stalks sample at high moisture content. This problem causes wasting time, less productivity, and increase cost. Consequently, it is necessary to develop this machine for the young farmer to cut some crop residues as rice straw, corn stalks and cotton stalks. The machine after modification was operated at four cylinder speeds, 4.55, 6.07, 7. 59 and 9.11 m/s (300, 400, 500 and 600 r.p.m.), four feed rates of 2, 4, 6 and 8 kg/min, and three levels of moisture contents of 22.3, 25.5 and 30.3% (wb) for rice straw, respectively. Machine performance, chopping machine capacity (kg/min), cutting length of straw, power consumption (kW), useful power (kW), unit energy (kW.h/Mg) and criterion function cost, were studied in this research. Results of the development machine showed that the percentage of small cutting lengths, were increased by increasing cylinder speed and feed rates and decreased by increasing the moisture contents. The maximum of the percentage of small cutting lengths were (21% > 0.5 cm, 50 % from 0.5 to 1 cm, 12% from 1 to 2 cm and 17% from 2 to 3 cm), at cylinder speed 9.11 m/s (600 r.p.m.) and moisture content of 22.3% in straw and feed rate 8 kg/min.

DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A PORTABLE FORCED AIR PRE-COOLING UNIT

A study was carried out at the experimental station of RiceMechanization Center (R.M.C.), Meet El-Deyba, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, during 2007 and 2008 seasons. The experimental work included design, developing and testing a portable pre-cooling unit for fruits and vegetables. Quality changes of the pre-cooled products in comparison with the none cooled product were also determined during storage process under two different storage conditions (coled and room storage methods). The laboratory experiments were conducted for pre-cooling tomato fruits at three different levels of air temperature (4, 7 and 10oC), three levels of air velocity (3.7, 4.8 and 5.4 m/s), three levels of packages vents percentage (4, 6 and 8%) and two volumes of fruits (medium and large).The results showed rapid drop in product temperature at the beginning of cooling process and the cooling rate starts to decline as the product temperature approaches the final temperature. The values of cooling coefficient (C) increased with the increase of air velocity (V), increase of packages vents percentage, decrease of fruit volume and decrease of medium cooling air temperature. While, the half and seven-eighth cooling times decreased with the increase of air velocity and increase of packages vents percentage and they were increased with the increase of cooling temperature and increase of product volume. The storage experiments showed that, the pre-cooled tomato fruits recorded lower water loss, lower percentage of defect, and higher fruit firmness in comparison with the none cooled samples.

RELATION BETWEEN DIFFERENT PLANTING METHODS AND RICE VARIETIES ON YIELD AND WATER REQUIREMENTS

Different planting methods were used (Mechanical drilling, Mechanical transplanting and manual transplanting) and two rice variety (Giza 177 and Sakha 101) was used in this study to evaluate machine performance and water requirements. The experimental carried out in Rice Mechanization Center, Meet El-Dyba, Kafr El-sheikh, governorate during summer season of 2007. Increasing the forward speed for all planting machines tends to increase the effective field capacity, fuel consumption rate, power consumption, energy required and slip ratio and decrease field efficiency and specific fuel consumption. Also, the water requirement for different planting methods were (5686.2, 4500.8 and 5300.0 m 3 /fed ) and ( 5858.5. 5091.5 and 5460.0 m 3 /fed ) for rice variety Giza 177 and Sakha 101 under different planting methods, respectively. The grain yield was (3.300, 3.494 and 2.726 ton/fed ) and ( 3.420, 3.980 and 2.957 ton/fed ) for rice variety Giza177 and Sakha101 under different planting methods, respectively. The highest W.U.E value was obtained by using mechanical transplanting methods (0.571 and 0.582 kg/ m 3 ) for rice variety Giza 177 and Sakha 101, while the lowest value was (0.514 and 0.542 kg/ m 3 ) for Giza 177 and Sakha 101 under the manual transplanting .

COMBINE HEADER CONTROL

Combines and reapers harvest the grain crops, the green grass and other similar plants, therefore the cutter bar should be able to cut from 30 to 100 mm above the ground surface. The cutting parts should also be protected from hitting the rocks or the soil. It should also be considered that any crop remains of cutting height on the ground after the harvest are a loss. The muddy conditions found in rice growing area proved difficult, because the cutter could hit the ground when the combine header would sink into the soil. Running the stubble cutter into the soil would cause it to jam or partially plug up, making it ineffective. The main purpose of this study was to cut the crop at the lowest possible level by manufacturing an automatic control unit which controls upping/downing the combine header, in order to avoid the obstacles which face it when lowering the cutter bar level. An automatic control unit has been constructed locally at the engineering workshop of Rice Mechanization Center (R.M.C), Meet El-Deeba, Kafrelsheikh Governorate, Egypt during the year of 2006. The experiments were carried out during rice harvest season of 2007 in order to compare two combine systems for the combine (Yanmar-CA65V) under the same different operating conditions. The first combine has an automatic control unit (combine with control system). But the second combine hasn't an automatic control unit (combine without control system or the conventional combine). All experiments performed at the research farm of RiceMechanizationCenter. The obtained results may be summarized as follows: 1- The optimum operating conditions for the combine with control system are at forward speed of 2.5 km/h and cutting height of 0.05 m. ¹ Prof. and Head of Agric. Eng. Dep., Fac. of Agric., Kafr El-Sheikh Univ. ² Sen. Res. and Supervisor of Technical Office, Agric. Eng. Res. Inst., Egypt. ³ Engineer, Agric. Eng. Res. Inst., Egypt. 2- The optimum operating conditions for the conventional combine are at forward speed of 2.5 km/h and cutting height of 0.10 m. 3- The combine with control system is strongly recommended since it gives lower loss and costs, and higher field efficiency compared to the conventional combine.