The performance of a tractor mounted groundnut pod collector was evaluated at different levels of machine speed (1.0-1.5, 1.5-2.0 and 2.0-2.5 km/h) and sieve oscillations (200, 250 and 300 rpm) at a constant penetration depth of 10 cm. The performance of the machine was found to be better at 1.5-2.0 km/h forward speed and 250 rpm sieve oscillations, respectively, looking to minimum losses and maximum pod collection efficiency. Pod collection efficiency was found maximum (93.75%) at 1.5-2.0 km/h and 250 rpm. The theoretical field capacity of groundnut pod collector was found as 0.22 ha/h while effective field capacity was 0.18 ha/h and field efficiency was 81.81 per cent. On comparison with manual pod collection method, there was 88.42 per cent reduction in time while 48.10 per cent reduction in pod collection cost was observed.
Tractors are the major source of farm power. Tractor driving imposes a lot of physical and mental stress upon the operator. This study was aimed at evaluating the physiological and subjective response of tractor operators while driving a tractor. Five tractor models and three male tractor operators were randomly selected for the study. The physiological evaluation was carried out in terms of heart rate and data were analyzed on the basis of two Factor Completely Randomized Design. The results showed that the effect of tractors on the heart beat was significant but the effect of subjects was found to be nonsignificant. The energy expenditure rate was ranged from 6.34 to 10.94 kJmin -1 ; indicating that in some tractors, operation requires a lot of physical effort. Rated Perceive Exertion scores were also in match with the physiological evaluation. The results call upon the manufactures to ergonomically design the tractor workplace to make it more comfortable for the operator. KEY WORDS : Tractor, Operator, Heart rate, Energy expenditure rate, Rated perceive exertion score How to cite this Article : Shukla, Saumya (2016). Physiological and subjective evaluation of tractor operator workplace. Engg. & Tech. in India, 7 (1) : 26-32. Physiological and subjective evaluation of tractor operator workplace SAUMYA SHUKLA
Biomass can be utilized to produce bio-oil, a promising alternative energy source for the limited crude oil. Biomass can be converted to bio-fuel via different thermal, biological and physical processes. Among the biomass to energy conversion processes, pyrolysis has attracted more interest in producing liquid fuel. Pyrolysis processes may be conventional or fast pyrolysis, depending on the operating conditions that are used. The heart of a fast pyrolysis process is the reactor and considerable research development has focused on reactor types. Different types of reactor are used for bio oil production such as fluidized-bed reactor Ablative type, vacuum pyrolysis reactor, rotating cone reactor, auger pyrolysis reactor, pyros pyrolysis reactor, plasma reactor, microwave reactor and solar reactor. To improve the bio-oil production from biomass. Scientific and technical developments towards improving bio-oil yield and quality to date are reviewed, with an emphasis on bio-oil upgrading research.
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