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Demand for natural fibers as an alternative to synthetic fibers is on the rise. Constraints of current fiber extraction units are limited to single raw material and has low energy efficiency. Hence, this study was taken up for the design and development of a multiple fiber extractor, modelling and optimization of the machine operating parameters, and economic analysis of the developed prototype. The designed machine operates based on the raspador principle. Box Behnken design (BBD) and artificial neural network (ANN) were used to evaluate the performance and optimize the variables of the designed multiple fiber extractor. The input variables included roller speed (550, 735, and 920 rpm), gap/clearance of the roller (2, 3, and 4 mm) and the pitch/distance between the spline slots (0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 mm), while the output variables were yield (kg), capacity (kg/h), energy consumption (kJ), and efficiency (%).The prediction accuracy of quadratic models (R 2 = 0.962-0.985) developed in BBD were better than the ANN models (R 2 = 0.831-0.946). The optimized combination was found to be 714.23 rpm roller speed, 3.12 mm gap, and 1.49 mm pitch of the blade, which yielded (1.48 kg) a desirability value of 0.95. The XRD results indicated the highest crystallinity index was recorded for Pineapple leaf fiber compared to banana fiber. SEM results revealed that extracted BF having typical network structure (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and waxes) compared to smooth PLF (lignin and hemicellulose). The fibers extracted using the developed machine was utilized for making biodegradable cutlery. Practical ApplicationsThis study was taken up to design a multifiber extractor, to extract fibers from agricultural residues after their useful parts are taken for consumption or processing.Thus, a single machine capable of handling multiple byproducts can utilize those residues, which were previously discarded as waste. Moreover, the extracted fibers are used for the manufacture of biodegradable cutlery. With a small investment, this machine can provide an additional income to the farmers, along with taking away the concern regarding waste disposal.

This study was undertaken to improve the efficiency of industrial butter melter. Butter is generally kept in cold storage at −18 to −20C in 20-25 kg blocks. Butter blocks are melted in a vat/kettle before being further processed or mixed with other food ingredients. The equipment comprised of a network of pipes with longitudinal plate fins, melting tank and hot water system. The improved piping system was designed using Matlab programming. The effect of fins and application of pressure (0, 750 and 1,500 Pa) for butter block pressing were studied. The equipment was evaluated in terms of cutting capacity, heat utilization efficiency, melted butter percentage, volumetric reduction ratio, overall heat transfer coefficient (U-value) and average temperature gradient in pipe network. It was observed that the finned pipe network was better than network without fins. The combination of a network with fins and application of pressure (1,500 Pa) improved the butter block cutting capacity by three times. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSAn improved butter melter was designed and developed using finned pipe network. This study gives insight into use of fins to improve heat transfer for food processing application such as thawing, melting, etc.

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