Browsing by Author "Olanrewaju. S. Aboyeji"

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    Effects of Operating Parameters on the Performance of a Mixer cum Pelletizer for Livestock Feeds.
    (Published by Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ilorin. Nigeria, 2021) Tajudeen A. Ishola; Rasheed. A. Busari; Olanrewaju. S. Aboyeji
    The performance of a mixing/pelletizing machine is dependent on the right combination of process variables for the formation of biomass feed pellets for livestock. The performance of a mixer/pelletizer was evaluated in terms of bulk density, pelletizing efficiency, throughput capacity, shattering index, compressive strength and drying time of pellets. The process variables were moisture content, binder conditions and mixer speeds. The data obtained from the tests were statistically analyzed. The analysis of variance test showed that the moisture content, binder condition, the interaction between moisture content, mixer speed and binder condition were significant at 5 % confidence limit. Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test showed that levels of the moisture content, binder condition and mixer speed were significantly different at 5 % confidence level. The results revealed that as moisture content increased from moisture content of 20 to 30 % (db), the pelletizing efficiency and the throughput capacity increased and peaked at 26 % (db). The highest throughput capacity of 116.12 kg/h and pelletizing efficiency of 86.7 % were obtained at moisture content of 26 % (db), 0.5 kg of molasses as binder and 800 rpm mixer speed. The highest bulk density obtained was 1118 kg/m3 and the longest drying time of 2 hours 40 minutes at moisture content of 26% (db), binder condition of 0.5 kg and mixer speed of 800 rpm. Above moisture content of 26 % (db), the drying time remained constant at 2 hours 40 minutes without any change. The proximate analysis results revealed that the highest carbohydrate content was 53.16 ± 0.10 %, highest crude protein content was 20.45 ± 0.22 % while the highest crude fibre was 8.44 ± 0.05%. The quality of livestock feed pellets formed would be enhanced by the right choice of process variables.