Design, construction and evaluation of a fiber extracting machine from Calotropis (milkweed) stems

Abstract Due to many advantages, natural fibers have been of great interest recently in many researches and industries. Calotropis stem has valuable fibers with various applications in the industry. Regarding this; a fiber extracting machine is designed and constructed, based on mechanical method. The machine performance is evaluated in this research as well. The machine consists of three separation units and two feeding units. Each separation unit is comprised of; a frame, a pair of blades, a pair of roller, two yoke and power transmission system. Some physical and mechanical properties of stems and barks are determined as predesigning steps. Analyzing extracting efficiency at three speed levels and two moisture contents shows that the maximum extracting efficiency (with 98%) is at rotational velocity of 40 rpm with the moisture content of 75% w.b. Experimental test shows that maximum consumed power was about 958 W while whole stem is located in the machine. The capacity of extraction machine based on dried mass of barks and fibers was 2 kg/h approximately.

[1]  S. Saka,et al.  Evaluation of Indian milkweed (Calotropis gigantea) seed oil as alternative feedstock for biodiesel , 2014 .

[2]  Nawawi Chouw,et al.  Residual compressive and shear strengths of novel coconut-fibre-reinforced-concrete interlocking blocks , 2014 .

[3]  N. Phong,et al.  Study on How to Effectively Extract Bamboo Fibers from Raw Bamboo and Wastewater Treatment , 2011 .

[4]  N. Reddy,et al.  Extraction and characterization of natural cellulose fibers from common milkweed stems , 2009 .

[5]  K. Cornish,et al.  Improved methods for extraction and quantification of resin and rubber from guayule , 2009 .

[6]  K. P. Pandey,et al.  Mechanical Properties of Sorghum Stalk in relation to Quasi-static Deformation , 1999 .

[7]  Emin Güzel,et al.  Bending and Shearing Characteristics of Sunflower Stalk Residue , 2005 .

[8]  L. Costa-Lotufo,et al.  In vitro and in vivo antiproliferative activity of Calotropis procera stem extracts. , 2010, Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias.

[9]  Shahin Rafiee,et al.  Effects of moisture content and level in the crop on the engineering properties of alfalfa stems , 2008 .

[10]  Gianluca Cicala,et al.  Composites Based on Natural Fibre Fabrics , 2010 .

[11]  J. Oliveira,et al.  Moringa oleifera: bioactive compounds and nutritional potential , 2008 .

[12]  Maria Gabriela Punín Burneo.  Process and Extraction of Natural Fibers in the Artistic Application , 2012 .

[13]  L. J. Kemble,et al.  PM—Power and Machinery: Development and Evaluation of Kenaf Harvesting Technology , 2002 .

[14]  Ying Chen,et al.  Power Requirements of Hemp Cutting and Conditioning , 2004 .

[15]  M. Tajvidi,et al.  Effect of Natural Fibers on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Natural Fiber Polypropylene Composites Studied by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis , 2006 .

[16]  Jules Janick,et al.  Kenaf Harvesting and Processing , 2002 .

[17]  A. Varshney,et al.  Some possible industrial properties of Calotropis procera (Aak) floss fibre , 1987 .

[18]  B. E. Attahdaniel,et al.  Studies on The Extraction of Naturally-Occurring Banana Fibers , 2013 .

[19]  Ronald A. Holser,et al.  Transesterified milkweed (Asclepias) seed oil as a biodiesel fuel , 2006 .

[20]  A. Singh,et al.  Biotechnology for Environmental Management and Resource Recovery , 2013, Springer India.

[21]  V. Vadlapudi,et al.  Antimicrobial Profile of Crude Extracts Calotropis Procera and Centella Asiatica against some Important Pathogens , 2012 .

[22]  D. L. George,et al.  Development and evaluation of a guayule debarker , 2011 .

[23]  A. Varshney,et al.  Cloth from bast fibre of the Calotropis procera (Aak) plant , 1988 .

[24]  S. Hamdan,et al.  Comparative Study of Dielectric Properties of Chicken Feather/Kenaf Fiber Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composites , 2013 .

[25]  O. N. Agarwala,et al.  Detoxification of Mahua (Bassia latifolia) seed cake by alcohol treatment , 1989 .