Research in Agricultural Engineering, 2015 (vol. 61), issue 1

List of Reviewers 2014List of reviewers

editors

Res. Agr. Eng., 2015, 61(1):I | DOI: 10.17221/8071-RAE  

Comparison of oil press for jatropha oil - a reviewReview

A.N. Siregar, J.A. Ghani, C.H.C. Haron, M. Rizal, Z. Yaakob, S.K. Kamarudin

Res. Agr. Eng., 2015, 61(1):1-13 | DOI: 10.17221/22/2013-RAE  

As petrol will soon be exhausted in the near future, Jatropha is going to be one of the substitute candidates for future biodiesel production. Countries of South-East Asia, such as Malaysia, they are going to start the establishment of Jatropha plantations assuming that Jatropha will be the main resource for biodiesel production. A press is commonly used to extract oils from Jatropha. An oil press can be manually driven or engine-powered. In this paper, we will review some available advances focused on mechanical extraction techniques, covering three types of press for Jatropha oil extraction. We have found that major points like operating principles,...

Researches of liquid contaminants influence on change of hardness of agricultural tyre treadOriginal Paper

M. Müller, P. Novák

Res. Agr. Eng., 2015, 61(1):14-20 | DOI: 10.17221/66/2013-RAE  

Tyres represent the only element which connects a vehicle with a roadway and they are one of the most important parts of the vehicle. Investigated samples from chosen agricultural tyres were placed into a degradation medium. Degradation media were chosen on the basis of their supposed application; the second criterion of the choice was operating liquids used in machines. A primary aim was defining a change of hardness of these samples; the second-rate aim was observing changes of a tyre weight. The aim of the research is an evaluation of the hardness change in surface layers of a tread depending on specific degradation environments to which the tyre...

Hydrothermal carbonization of stabilized sludge and meat and bone mealOriginal Paper

J. Malaťák, T. Dlabaja

Res. Agr. Eng., 2015, 61(1):21-28 | DOI: 10.17221/59/2013-RAE  

Hydrothermal carbonization is one of suitable methods for energy recovery of sewage sludge and meat and bone meal. The task of the article is to determine appropriate hydrothermal carbonization process conditions and their impact on the quality of the final product - so called biochar or hydrochar. Parameters of the two main phases - initiation and polymerization - were monitored. The basic fuel properties of the final solid products of hydrothermal carbonization were determined. To produce biochar by hydrothermal carbonization, multifunctional pressure vessel with accessories was used - a batch reactor BR-300. Process parameters of hydrothermal carbonization...

Coniform-shape tool for splitting of wooden logsOriginal Paper

F. Bodnár, M. Minárik

Res. Agr. Eng., 2015, 61(1):29-34 | DOI: 10.17221/47/2013-RAE  

The article deals with design of a coniform tool with rotary motion for splitting of logs. The tool is proposed using a fracture mechanics theory. The approach of energy balance during crack growth in a split wood log is applied for construction design of the shape of the splitting tool. The proposal of the tool shape is based on the experimental fracture methods. The only used criteria it is the demand of the minimum quantity of the consumed energy.

Effect of speed, die sizes and moisture contents on durability of cassava pellet in pelletizerOriginal Paper

O.B. Oduntan, O.A. Koya

Res. Agr. Eng., 2015, 61(1):35-39 | DOI: 10.17221/9/2013-RAE  

The effect of pre-processing conditions such as speed, die sizes and moisture content on durability of cassava flour was investigated. Densification of cassava flour was done by pelletizing the flour through die and it is necessary to determine optimum conditions for designing and constructing a suitable processing plant. The flour was mixed with water at different blend ratios to form cassava mash of different moisture contents. The pellet quality was evaluated in terms of the durability of the pellets against the moisture content of the mash (18, 20 and 22% w.b.), die size (4, 6 and 8 mm) and the screw speed (90, 100 and 120 rpm). Test results showed...

Influence of two-body abrasion and heat intensity on metal and non-metal materials used in agricultureOriginal Paper

P. Valášek, J. Kejval, M. Müller, J. Cieslar

Res. Agr. Eng., 2015, 61(1):40-46 | DOI: 10.17221/11/2013-RAE  

In the agro-complex, as well as in other sectors, the use of polymeric materials is one possible way forward in the innovation and development of machines and their parts. However, machine products place high demands on the materials from which they are made. Polymeric materials are currently able to compete in certain areas where metallic material would traditionally be used; however, one of their limiting characteristic is their ability to withstand elevated temperatures. This paper describes the hardness of polymeric materials when influenced by heat, generated during the double body abrasion. The paper also describes the abrasive wear of both polymers...

Geometric performance parameters of three-point hitch linkage system of a 2WD Indian tractorOriginal Paper

G.V. Prasanna Kumar

Res. Agr. Eng., 2015, 61(1):47-53 | DOI: 10.17221/79/2012-RAE  

Geometric performance parameters of three-point hitch system of a most sold model of a 2-wheel drive Indian tractor were determined by generating the path of upper and lower hitch points by kinematic linkage analysis. At various locations of pivot point of upper link and adjustments in the length of lift rods, hitch linkage system of the tractor fulfilled all the requirements specified by the standards for category-I and II hitches. An insight into the kinematic linkage analysis revealed that the hitch linkage of the selected tractor is the most suitable for operations with soil working implements. Attachment of upper link to the topmost pivot point...