Fractionation of poultry litter for enhanced utilization

ABSTRACT A potential waste management system for the use of poultry litter was studied based upon the fractionation of litter. It was determined that the compositions of the litter by particle size varied both with the number of flocks that had been raised on the litter and the type of house. As the number of flocks raised on the litter increased from one to three flocks, the amount of fine material increased from 23 to 41%, while the concentration of the middle fraction decreased from 47 to 40%, and the coarse fraction decreased from 26 to 16%. The efficiency of retrieval of the fine fraction from the raw litter by either a vibrating screen separator or a rotary drum separator were found not to be significantly different. It was determined by chemical analysis that the P and K concentrations appeared to be distributed uniformly throughout the litter in each fraction while the N was nonuniformly distributed. The concentration of N was greatest in the fine fraction

TEST EQUIPMENT FOR DETERMINING PERFORMANCE OF ELECTRIC MOTORS

ABSTRACT Large quantities of electric power are used by electric motors in the production and processing of food, feed, and fiber. The literature indicates many individuals responsible for the selection and application of motors have a limited knowledge of motor performance characteristicsspecifically, efficiency and power factor. To enhance student understanding of these concepts, two motor testing stations were assembled. A manually operated motor testing station provides students an opportunity for handson laboratory exercises in determining efficiency and power factor. A computer-assisted motor testing station allows students to experience a complete motor test, described by the IEEE Standard 114-1982, using a menudriven interface to computerize the data collection process. Motor performance data is graphically represented on a monitor, printer, or plotter. Instructors and students have expressed that using those state-of-the-art stations enhances instructional effectiveness and student learning

A Portable Instrumentation System for Measuring Draft and Speed

ABSTRACT A portable instrumentation system was developed to measure draft and speed when using either pull type or three point hitch mounted implements. The parameters measured were horizontal and vertical draft, true ground speed and drive wheel speed. The system utilized strain gage load cells with excitation provided by a compact, portable datalogger. Measurements were taken and stored using the dataloger, then transferred via magnetic cassette tape to a microcomputer for further processing. The force dynamometer was designed for tractors up to 80 kW with a maximum draft capacity of 60 kN. Calibration procedures, results from the use of the system and actual tillage energy requirements are presented