Performance Evaluation of Diesel Engine Operated Cassava Grating Machine

Abstract

This research work was carried out to assess the performance of a diesel engine-operated cassava grating machine. The factorial design was used to conduct the experiment and the collected data were analysed using Statistix 8 software. The results of the analysis of variance revealed that the speed, feeding rate, as well as their interaction effect, were significant at the 5% level. The highest throughput capacity of 471.4 kg h-1 was observed at a speed of 1400 r min-1, at a feeding rate of 5 kg min-1, while the lowest throughput capacity was 272.5 kg h-1 observed at a speed of 1100 r min-1, at a feeding rate of 5 kg min-1. The highest grating efficiency of 97.3% was observed at a speed of 1400 r min-1, at a feeding rate of 15 kg min-1, while the lowest grating efficiency was 81.6% observed at a speed of 1100 r min-1, at a feeding rate of 5 kg min-1. The lowest percentage of mechanical loss of 2.45% was observed at a speed of 1400 r min-1, at a feeding rate of 15 kg min-1, while the highest percentage of mechanical loss was 18.4% observed at a speed of 1100 r min-1, at a feeding rate of 5 kg min-1. The fuel consumption of the machine was measured as 1.82 L h-1. Finally, the regression analysis results for throughput capacity showed that 95% of throughput capacity was recorded with both independent variables together, F (2, 33) = 311.17, R = 0.974, p = 0.000. This machine was recommended for cassava grating at an operating drum speed of 1400 r min-1.