Č. Mizera

Mechanical Behavior of Ensete ventricosum Fiber Under Tension Loading

ABSTRACT The mechanical behavior of Ensete ventricosum fibers, expressed as the dependency of tension force in relation to the elongation, was determined for fibers with gauge length 50 mm and transformed into general linear mathematical model describing dependency of tension stress and strain. The average rupture force (10.88 ± 1.11) N, rupture stress (390.33 ± 21.96) MPa, rupture strain (0.021 ± 2 · 10–5), and volume energy (3.39 ± 0.22) J m−3 were also determined at this conducted study. Using image analyses, it was determined that the cross section of Ensete ventricosum fiber has circle shape and its dimension was specified. From the study, it implies that Ensete ventricosum fiber, with respect to its mechanical behavior under tension loading having regard to its density and to the fact that it is environmentally friendly, biodegradable and recyclable, could be used as a perspective construction material of the future. Determined model of mechanical behavior could be applied as background for further research focused on the Ensete fiber application.

Application of a tangent curve mathematical model for analysis of the mechanical behaviour of sunflower bulk seeds

Abstract This paper evaluate the use of a tangent curve mathematical model for representation of the mechanical behaviour of sunflower bulk seeds. Compression machine (Tempos Model 50, Czech Republic) and pressing vessel diameter 60 mm were used for the loading experiment. Varying forces between 50 and 130 kN and speeds ranging from 10, 50, and 100 mm min-1 were applied respectively on the bulk seeds with moisture content 12.37±0.38% w.b. The relationship between force and deformation curves of bulk seeds of pressing height 80 mm was described. The oil point strain was also determined from the different deformation values namely 30, 35, 40, and 45 mm at speed 10 mm min-1. Based on the results obtained, model coefficients were determined for fitting the experimental load and deformation curves. The validity of these coefficients were dependent on the bulk seeds of pressing height, vessel diameter, maximum force 110 kN, and speed 10 mm min-1, where optimal oil yield was observed. The oil point was detected at 45 mm deformation giving the strain value of 0.56 with the corresponding force 16.65±3.51 kN and energy 1.06±0.18 MJ m-3. At the force of 130 kN, a serration effect on the curves was indicated; hence, the compression process was ceased.

Effect of Length of False Banana Fibre (Ensete ventricosum) on Mechanical Behaviour under Tensile Loading

Abstract The effect of gauge length of false banana fibre (Ensete ventricosum) on the tensile strength, volume energy, and modulus of elasticity under tensile loading was examined. Fibres of gauge length L0 (mm) 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 mm were prepared and tested until rupture point at strain rate of 0.05 min−1. Mathematical models describing the mechanical behaviour of the varying gauge lengths were presented. With the increasing gauge length of fibre, the tensile strength and volume energy decreased while the values of modulus of elasticity increased. The theoretical model describing the mechanical behaviour of Ensete fibre under tensile loading presented herein provides useful information for the fibres application in industry. The determined models could be used as a background for further research focused on Ensete fibre application.

Compressive loading experiment of non-roasted bulk oil palm kernels at varying pressing factors

Abstract Compression testing of non-roasted bulk oil palm kernels at different processing factors was performed using a universal compression testing machine and a pressing vessel witha plunger. The purpose of the research was to describe regression models of deformation, deformation energy and percentage kernel oil depending on force, speed and vessel diameter. The tested compression forces were 100, 125, 150, 175 and 200 kN, while the speeds were 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mm min−1. Three pressing vessels of diameter 60, 80 and 100 mm were used. Samples were compressed at an initial height of 60 mm. For varying forces and vessel diameters at a constant speed of 5 mm min−1, the values of deformation, deformation energy and percentage kernel oil ranged from 28.47±0.89 to 37.45±0.11 mm, 796±0.82 to 1795±49.01 J and 7.33±0.26 to 25.67±0.39%. At a constant force of 200 kN for different speeds and vessel diameters; the aforementioned determined parameters also ranged from 31.91±1.61 to 37.63±1.21 mm, 1012±26.76 to 1795±49.01 J and 14.66±0.42 to 24.98±1.37%. The results were statistically significant (p<0.05) or (F-ratio>F-critical), with high coefficients of determination between 0.74 and 0.99. Thus, higher force at specific speed may be needed to maximally recover kernel oil.

Oil point and mechanical behaviour of oil palm kernels in linear compression

Abstract The study described the oil point and mechanical properties of roasted and unroasted bulk oil palm kernels under compression loading. The literature information available is very limited. A universal compression testing machine and vessel diameter of 60 mm with a plunger were used by applying maximum force of 100 kN and speed ranging from 5 to 25 mm min−1. The initial pressing height of the bulk kernels was measured at 40 mm. The oil point was determined by a litmus test for each deformation level of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mm at a minimum speed of 5 mmmin−1. The measured parameters were the deformation, deformation energy, oil yield, oil point strain and oil point pressure. Clearly, the roasted bulk kernels required less deformation energy compared to the unroasted kernels for recovering the kernel oil. However, both kernels were not permanently deformed. The average oil point strain was determined at 0.57. The study is an essential contribution to pursuing innovative methods for processing palm kernel oil in rural areas of developing countries.

Effect of temperature and moisture content on tensile behaviour of false banana fibre (Ensete ventricosum)

Abstract The mechanical behaviour of natural fibres as composite materials can be affected by changes in temperature and moisture content. The aim of this paper was to describe the effect of temperature and moisture content on tensile strength of false banana fibre (Ensete ventricosum) and to determine its water absorption. Samples of fibres were prepared and tested until rupture point with strain rate of 0.05 min−1 at temperature change between −20 and 220°C as well as moisture content between 10 and 90% wb. The water absorption and release of Ensete fibres at 60 and 90% relative humidity was also determined. Results showed that Ensete fibres exhibited stability of tensile strength in the temperature range from 0 to 100°C but the increase of temperature decreased statistically significantly the tensile strength. The effect of moisture content on tensile strength was not statistically significant. The equilibrium moisture content at 60% relative humidity and 25°C was determined.

Mechanical behaviour of selected bulk oilseeds under compression loading

Cold pressing or compressive mechanical expression of oil from bulk oilseeds without thermal treatments or appreciable thermal effects facilitates the preservation of quality in expressed oils and enhances their stability in storage. Mechanical response of bulk oilseeds during cold expression which are vital to equipment design vary with crops and are not completely understood. Mechanical behaviours of bulk seeds of camelina, pumpkin and sesame relevant to cold pressing were investigated at moisture contents of 7.04, 8.60 and 6.06% (d.b.), 80 mm pressing depth and a compressive force of 100 kN, applied uniformly at 10 mm min. Deformation varied with incremental force and among crops at peak compression. Deformations in Camelina, Sesame and Pumpkin seeds were 40.2, 41.6 and 50.9 mm at peak compression. Oil point pressures of Sesame, Camelina and Pumpkin seeds were 3.83, 7.49 and 8.83 MPa, respectively. Oil recovery at the applied load was similar in Camelina and Sesame but significantly lower in pumpkin seeds. Volume energy requirement for the expression of oil from camelina, pumpkin and sesame seeds were 2.56, 1.72 and 1.46 MJ m, respectively. An assessment of the pressed cake after oil expression revealed that the materials were capable of further deformation under compression.