Research in Agricultural Engineering, 2019 (vol. 65), issue 2
Determination of the physical and mechanical properties of a potato (the Agria variety) in order to mechanise the harvesting and post-harvesting operationsOriginal Paper
Negar Ahangarnezhad, Gholamhassan Najafi, Ahmad Jahanbakhshi
Res. Agr. Eng., 2019, 65(2):33-39 | DOI: 10.17221/122/2017-RAE 
Studying the physical and mechanical properties of agricultural products has been the subject of criticism and discussion for many years already and has attracted the attention of many researchers. The physical and mechanical properties of agriculture products are the most important parameters in the design of agricultural machinery sorting systems, transmissions, processing and packaging systems. The potato is one of the most important agricultural products as a food resource. The aim of this research is to investigate the physical properties and mechanical behaviour of the potato due to its importance and the current inadequate information about...
The moisture-dependent flow characteristics of Canarium schweinfurthii Engler nutsOriginal Paper
James Chinaka Ehiem, Victor Ifeanyichukwu Obiora Ndirika, Udochukwu Nelson Onwuka, Vijaya Raghavan
Res. Agr. Eng., 2019, 65(2):40-47 | DOI: 10.17221/47/2018-RAE
The flow characteristics of three varieties of Canarium schweinfurthii Engler nuts (Canarium schweinfurthii short, Canarium schweinfurthii long and Canarium schweinfurthii large - CSHTLRG) relevant for the design and development of handling and storage systems was studied at three different moisture levels (10.20, 17.23 and 25.06% wet basis). The flow characteristics investigated include the normal stress, the shear stress, the initial shear stress, the coefficient and angle of the internal friction, the coefficient of mobility and the size of the discharge opening. An Instron universal machine at a cross-head...
An evaluation of the physical, dynamic and aerodynamic properties of olivesOriginal Paper
Abbas Akbarnia, Mahdi Rashvand
Res. Agr. Eng., 2019, 65(2):48-55 | DOI: 10.17221/5/2018-RAE
The determination of the physical and mechanical properties of agricultural products has always been considered as the basis for the design and fabrication of transmission, grading, and processing equipment for agricultural products. Due to the increasing production of olives and the foreign exchange earnings from its trade, the mechanisation of harvesting and processing operations is inevitable. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the physical, dynamic and aerodynamic properties of olive species in order to design and fabricate an olive oiling machine. In this research, four species of olives, namely the Manzanilla, Kalamata, Fishemi,...
Moisture dependent thermal properties of selected vegetables in Akwa Ibom State, NigeriaOriginal Paper
Olugbenga Abiola Fakayode, Olayemi Olubunmi Ojoawo
Res. Agr. Eng., 2019, 65(2):56-62 | DOI: 10.17221/39/2018-RAE
The thermal properties of some selected vegetables in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria were investigated. The specific heat, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity for the five selected vegetables (Afang, Nkong, Atama, Editan and Nton) were determined and the moisture content variation was investigated. The specific heat values ranged from 2,348-4,580 J.kg-1.K-1, while the thermal conductivity values ranged from 0.00368-0.489 and the thermal diffusivity values ranged from 1.03 × 10-7-1.99 × 10-7 m2.s-1. Nton had the highest specific heat and thermal conductivity, while Editan had the highest...
A binary solvent for the simultaneous Calophyllum oil-resin extraction and purificationOriginal Paper
Ika Amalia Kartika, Oky Tresia Ordian Bernia, Illah Sailah, Tirto Prakoso, Yohanes Aris Purwanto
Res. Agr. Eng., 2019, 65(2):63-69 | DOI: 10.17221/30/2018-RAE
Sustainable biodiesel production can be realised by the use of a low-cost feedstock, efficient energy and renewable raw materials. The simultaneous Calophyllum oil-resin extraction and its purification using a binary solvent (n-hexane mixed with alcohol) were examined to meet those aspects. The extraction conditions effect was investigated to determine the optimal oil yield and quality. n-Hexane mixed with alcohol was extracted and purified effectively the oil from Calophyllum seeds. The oil yield and its quality were mainly affected by the n-hexane-to-alcohol ratio. The oil yield enhanced as the n-hexane-to-alcohol...
Using a fuzzy control system to optimise the parametric method for selecting the appropriate irrigation systemOriginal Paper
Yaser Hoseini, Manochehr Shiri Janaghard
Res. Agr. Eng., 2019, 65(2):70-75 | DOI: 10.17221/59/2018-RAE
In this study, a fuzzy logic system was used to optimise a parametric evaluation system in surface and sprinkler irrigation systems. This study was performed on a surface area of 5,175 ha in the Fath-Ali region located in the Ardabil province of Iran. It was indicated that for the sprinkler and surface irrigation system, an area of about 385.06 ha (7.4%) and 159.81 ha (3%) of land is "highly suitable" and an area of about 286.1 ha (5.5%) and 312.69 ha (6%) is "moderately suitable", respectively. About 2,810.08 ha (54.3%) and 2,744.17 ha (53.02%) were respectively "marginally suitable" for the sprinkler and surface irrigation systems. The "currently...