Behaviour of different moisture contents of Jatropha curcas L. seeds under compression loading

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the behaviour of different moisture contents of Jatropha curcas L. seeds under compression loading. To obtain jatropha seeds of different moisture contents ranging from 1% (w.b.) to 37% (w.b.), the seeds were soaked in water and kept in a refrigerator at 5°C for different number of days. Compression devices, namely ZDM 50-2313/56/18, pressing vessel with diameter of 76 mm and a pressing plunger of 90 mm height, were used. The amount of seeds in the pressing vessel was measured as 40 mm with compression force of 98,100 N. The results from the experiment showed that increasing the moisture content of the jatropha seeds influenced the force-deformation characteristic curve, deformation energy, maximum deformation and energy per unit volume. While moisture contents 1% (w.b.) and 10% (w.b.) displayed normal force-deformation characteristic, moisture contents 32% (w.b.) and 37% (w.b.) showed wave-effect characteristic. The R<sup>2</sup> coefficient of determination value of 0.87 obtained from the effect of moisture content on deformation energy and unit volume energy shows that jatropha seeds of moisture content 16% (w.b.) would require minimum energy but high efficiency during compression.

Comparison of the Mechanical Behaviour of Selected Oilseeds under Compression Loading

“…Comparing this results with previous studies on the mechanical behaviour of one seed under compression loading where unit deformation energy, rupture force and rupture compressive stress were determined, the results obtained in the present study were in agreement with the pressing of rapeseed Unal et al, 2009), jatropha seed (Karaj and Muller, 2010;Sirisomboon et al, 2007), sunflower seed (Gupta and Das, 2000;Perez et al, 2007). Also the position of oil points on the deformation characteristics of the various oilseeds corresponds to similar studies reported by (Faborode and Favier, 1996;Figueiredo et al, 2011;Sayyar et al, 2009) and also the shapes of deformation characteristic are significant to the characteristics described by (Gupta and Das, 2000;Herak et al, 2010;Kabutey et al, 2011;Rusinek et al, 2007),…”

“…1, it is seen that moisture content is an important parameter which can influence the mechanical behaviour of oilseeds, that is, moisture content can cause transformation of deformation characteristic (Karaj and Muller, 2010;Sirisomboon et al, 2007;Unal et al, 2009) and thus change the maximal and limit deformation as well as deformation energy (Blahovec and Reznicek, 1980;Herak et al, 2010;Kabutey et al, 2011;Koegel et al, 1973). Porosity can also influence the mechanical behaviour of oilseeds (Fomin, 1978;Herak et al, 2011a).…”

“…In the literature, considerable information about the mechanical behaviour of the oilseed crops namely rapeseed Rusinek et al, 2007;Unal et al, 2009); sunflower seed (Gupta and Das, 1997;2000;Isik and Izli, 2007;Perez et al, 2007), and jatropha seed (Herak et al, 2010;Karaj and Muller, 2010;Sirisomboon et al, 2007), have been focused on rupture force and deformation characteristics (Fomin et al, 1978;Herak et al, 2011a;Kabutey et al, 2011;Koegel et al, 1973;Mrema and Mc Nluty, 1985), unlike the mathematical description of the deformation characteristics, limit deformation ratio, maximal deformation ratio, energy ratio and oil point deformation ratio.…”

Effect of moisture content on some physical properties of Canarium schweinfurthii Engl. fruits

“…fruit, nut and kernel (SIRISOMBOON et al (2007), Jathropha curcas L. seed (KABUTEY et al 2011). Despite all these studies and numerous economic values of Canarium schweinfurthii fruits, no work has been published on the post-harvest physical properties of Canarium schweinfurthii Engl.…”

“…It also saves time and money, offer ways in which products can be utilized effectively and helps to maintain quality even in adverse storage and handling conditions. Literature reveals that several studies have been carried out on engineering properties of different agricultural products; millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) (Ndirika, Oyeleke 2006), Lablab purpureus L. (Simonyan et al 2009), Jatropha curcas L. fruit, nut and kernel (Sirisomboon et al (2007), Jathropha curcas L. seed (Kabutey et al 2011). Despite all these studies and numerous economic values of Canarium schweinfurthii fruits, no work has been published on the post-harvest physical properties of Canarium schweinfurthii Engl.…”