Vol. 11, Special Issue 4 (2022)

Author(s):
Nisha Verma, Dr. V.M. Victor and Divya Dewangan

Abstract:
In this study log making machine was tested with different biomass like cattle dung and other agricultural residue. An automatic log making machine suitable for use in a rural community for making long log was selected for its performance evaluation. Cattle dung log can be used in place of fire wood. The performance of log making machine was evaluated for making cattle dung log by using cattle dung as a base material mixed with other agriculture residues rice husk, rice straw, saw dust and cocopeat agricultural waste were used in this study for log production. Logs were produced by using log making machine for different composition of biomass. The properties like moisture content of raw material, bulk density of raw material, total solid content of raw material, friction angle of raw material, capacity of the machine, efficiency of the machine, time to produce one log, analysis of prepared log such as shrinkage in diameter, shrinkage in length and shrinkage in weight were determined for checking the performance of machine. Range of moisture content of raw material was recorded 65% to 85%. Bulk density of raw material was determine in the range of 0.85 g/cm³ to 1.15 g/cm³. Friction angle of raw material and total solid content of raw material was determined in the range of 35^o to 50^o and 15.00% to 35.00% respectively. It was observed that machine perform satisfactory with all the treatment. The average efficiency of machine was recorded 84.02%. The cost of power operated log making machine was constant Rs 150.47 per hour for all types of biomass log production. Log produced from treatment L9 using power operated machine was found more profitable compared to other biomass log. It was found that time to produce one log by using different treatments are within the range of 1:00 min to 5:00 min. From energy point of view treatment L1 which is mixture of rice straw and cattle dung was found best. Shrinkage percentage in diameter, length and weight was recorded in the range of 20% to 35%, 3% to 15% and 73% to 83% respectively.