Design, fabrication and performance evaluation of Mushroom Substrate Chopper and Mixing Machine
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Date
2024
Authors
Lemuel B. Duran
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Abstract
Throughout the years, many have held mushrooms in high regard for its taste and health benefits it carries low calories and protein as well as a rich content of certain minerals and vitamins. However, its production remains low due to labor requirements, and intricate processes that consume a large amount of time such as chopping the substrate materials manually. Therefore, this study aims to address the concerns to establish the improvements and adjustments to be adopted for the mushroom substrate chopper and mixing machine. Its goal is to increase the work rate of the chopping mechanism on the rice straw and corn stalks. By addressing these inefficiencies, the study proposes to improve the efficiency and stability of mushroom production. the machine exhibited an average of 11.25 kg/h of output capacity on rice straw and 21.78 kg/h on corn stalks, with the mean chopping efficiency of 62.22% and 61.44% from rice straw and corn stalks respectively, having a chopped length mean value of 251.24 mm and 260.37 mm of rice straw and corn stalks a varying operating speed of the motor. It also exhibited an average mixing rate of 27 kg/h with an interval of collection of 2 minutes and 12.84 seconds per 1 kilogram. Moreover, the custom rate and the operating cost of the machine were found to be Php 13.16 per kg and Php 10.13 per kg; respectively with a difference of Php 3.03. Moreover, the payback period was computed to be 2.29 years and the break-even point was Php 1,650.17 per year. Lastly, readjusting some of the parts of the machine is recommended to further imrpove its efficiency.