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Nsofor, P. S.
Department of Agricultural and Bioenvironmental Engineering, Federal Ploytechnic, Oko, Anmabra State
Nwajinka, C. O.
Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State
Anyene, C. C.
Department of Agricultural and Bioenvironmental Engineering, Federal Ploytechnic, Oko, Anmabra State
Onwuka, U. N.
Department of Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria
Okpala, C. D.
Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State
ABSTRACT
The study focused on the design and fabrication of a motorized feed pelleting machine using locally sourced engineering materials selected with consideration of strength, availability, cost and machinability. It began with fundamental design considerations, through machine design processes, material selection, construction processes and technology, and culminated in a machine test-run. The component parts included the frame, barrel, hopper, screw conveyor or auger, die plate, pulley and electric motor. The machine was designed to operate with a 2.84 HP (2.088 kW), 1044 rpm electric motor and a 0.40 N/mm2 pressure was acting against the machine's barrels. An octahedral shear stress (σoct) of 1.6 N/mm2 that is less than the yield stress for mild steel indicated that the barrel or pelleting chamber design was robust and reliable enough for the machine's operational life span. The pelleting machine for the production of poultry feed was successfully designed and constructed. Broiler grower mash and starch solution was used to produce the feed dough that was used to carry out performance test on the fabricated machine. The results showed that the machine operated with a pelleting efficiency of 89.7%, 82.5% and 74.2% at respective moisture content (wet basis) of 12.4%, 17.1% and 21.7%, and a pelleting rate of 198 kg/hr, 181 kg/hr and 171 kg/hr at the respective moisture contents of 12.4%, 17.1% and 21.7. The feed pellets were fairly solid and cylindrical, with approximately 5 mm in height and diameter ranging from 4 mm – 9 mm, relative to the die hole incorporated. The performance parameters and negligible percentage of broken/crushed pellets in the range 1-3% indicated that the achieved machine is good for both small and medium scale feed pellet production and the capacity can be further increased by adequate design review and adjustments. The overall production cost of the developed machine was N81,630.00 and relatively affordable when compared to the present cost of imported options for entrepreneurs that are devoted to indigenous feed production and utilization. The machine is therefore affordable to the local farmers and recommended for grass-root value addition to feed constituent materials into pellets.
Keywords: Pelleting, feed, production, grains, livestock, poultry
https://doi.org/10.33922/j.ujet_v10i1_1
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Published
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Issue
Vol. 10 No. 1, June 2024
Article Section
GENERAL
The contents of the articles are the sole opinion of the author(s) and not of UJET.
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