Classification of Banana Fruit Maturity using zNose

A study was undertaken to classify the banana fruits based on their ripening/maturity by using zNose flavour detection technique. The quality parameters of banana fruits viz., respiratory quotient (RQ), total soluble solids (TSS), moisture content and firmness at each ripening/maturity stage were determined and the results were correlated with zNose flavour data. The principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify the ripening/maturity stages of banana fruits and also to test the variability of the observed data. By using multiple linear regression (MLR), models were established to predict the fruit quality parameters. The coefficient of determination (r2) corresponding to the predicted respiratory quotient, total soluble solids, moisture content and firmness were found to be 0.93, 0.94, 0.96 and 0.95, respectively, signifying better prediction of the banana fruits into different ripening/maturity stages

A modelling perspective of post-harvest storage

Paper presented at the 9th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Malta, 16-18 July, 2012.The quality and storage life of fruits and vegetables are extremely challenging to predict. Immediately after harvest, the field heat from fruits and vegetables must be removed in order to retard the degenerative biochemical activities within the produce. Moreover they need to be stored under refrigerated conditions until they are consumed. There has been an interest in the use of mathematical models for optimizing the operation, design and control of postharvest storage systems. These mathematical models are applied to predict the physical and chemical phenomena that take place during postharvest handling of horticultural products. Nowadays, with the availability of more powerful computers at a reasonable price, it is feasible to investigate the details of the flow behavior in large-scale postharvest storage systems involving refrigerated storage and modified atmospheric storage systems. In this paper an overview of advances in the application of mathematical models for predicting and optimizing fluid flow, heat and mass transfer and associated phenomena during postharvest storage of horticultural products is presented.dc201

Finite element modelling and experimental validation of rapid pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass

Paper presented at the 8th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Mauritius, 11-13 July, 2011.Considerable research has been devoted towards determining the kinetics of the pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass such as wood residues and agricultural waste. In this study, we have developed a finite element model (FEM) in order to simulate the coupled heat and mass transfer phenomena during pyrolysis. The resulting sets of partial differential equations were then solved simultaneously using the COMSOL Multiphisics software package. This numerical modelling and simulation approach helped the visualization of the process. In this work, cylindrical sections of birch wood biomass were pyrolysed in a laboratory-scale thermal desorption unit. The influences of final pyrolysis temperature, and pyrolysis holding time on the biochar yields were investigated. Results showed that with increase in time and temperature, the yield of total pyrolysis products decreased. On the other hand, higher pyrolysis temperatures and holding times resulted in the increase of char content in the wood for fast pyrolysis. A technique to maximize the amount of char in the product was also identified through by optimizing the parameters within the temperature range of this studymp201

Investigation on the Influence of Machine and Operational Parameters for the Development of a Manually-Drawn Rice Seeder for Direct Sowing

Rosana G. Moreira, Editor-in-Chief; Texas A&M UniversityThis is a paper from International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR, Commission Internationale du Genie Rural) E-Journal Volume 7 (2005): Investigation on the Influence of Machine and Operational Parameters for the Development of a Manually-Drawn Rice Seeder for Direct Sowing by S.S.Sivakumar, R.Manian, K.Kathirvel, G.S.V.Raghava

Finite element modelling of microwave pyrolysis of biomass

Paper presented at the 7th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Turkey, 19-21 July, 2010.ej201

Thin Layer Drying Study on Foamed Mango Pulp

Rosana G. Moreira, Editor-in-Chief; Texas A&M UniversityThis is a paper from International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR, Commission Internationale du Genie Rural) E-Journal Volume 9 (2007): Thin Layer Drying Study on Foamed Mango Pulp. Manuscript FP 06 024. Vol. IX. March, 2007

Modeling of heat and mass transfer for texture improvement in microwave boiled lentils

Paper presented at the 7th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Turkey, 19-21 July, 2010.Lentil is an excellent source of proteins and various micro nutrients such as vitamin A, potassium, B vitamins, and iron, and it provides fiber with no cholesterol and virtually no fat. Canadian red lentils were soaked in ambient water for different times ranging from 0-120 mins. The soaked lentils were boiled in a custom built microwave setup at 2450 MHz with different lentil to water ratio of I:I, I:1.5 and I :2 for different durations of 20 mins, 40 mins and I hour. The mechanism of heat transfer and the fluid dynamics during microwave boiling of lentils were investigated. An empirical diffusion model was developed based on the assumption that there was no significant change in the hound moisture content due to protein denaturation. The rheological parameters of the boiled lentils were measured and compared. The parameters of soaking time, power density and boiling time were optimised for microwave boiling of lentils for better rheological quality. The model fits the data well and can be used to tweak the microwave boiling process of lentils to obtain desirable results.ej201

Microwave-assisted retting and optimization of the process through chemical composition analysis of the matrix

Pre-soaked flax stems were subjected to microwave assisted retting at different power levels and the effectiveness of microwave assisted retting was studied through the analysis of chemical compounds presented in the retted flax fibers processed from the stems. Response surface statistical design was used for this study with JMP\uae 10 software. Chemical analyses were performed by gravimetric methods to find out percentage of compounds. Cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and pectin concentrations and the sugar content in the solution obtained after the treatment were subjected to analysis. Cellulose percentage in the fiber was increased significantly (p<0.0001) with the increase of microwave power at various soaking levels, which proved the release of cellulosic fiber with the application of microwave energy during retting. Hemicellulose, lignin and pectin concentrations decreased significantly after microwave-assisted retting which explained higher degree of retting after the treatment. This study noted change in chemical composition of the fibers, which can be used as a tool to estimate the effectiveness of microwave-assisted retting and the results could lead to optimization of the process. \ua9 2013 Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye