Comprehensive Semestral report on field practice at Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech)
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Date
2023
Authors
Rosana Mae L. Labaniego
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Abstract
The activities on the field practice program were agricultural and biosystems engineering-related activities conducted at the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech). The field practice focused on four activities which were testing of the corn mill. CAD drawing and fabrication of corn mill outlet scaled model, assistance on the pre-laboratory testing of mungbean sheller units, and functional testing of the coffee moisture meter.
For Activity 1, the student assisted on the testing of the corn mill to determine the performance of the machine based on PAES performance criteria for corn mill in terms of minimum main product recovery. It was found out that the corn mill satisfied the minimum requirement of 55% for the main product recovery and could significantly boost the production of corn grits as an additional source of staple food aside from rice.
For Activity 2, the student drew using SolidWorks software to make the CAD drawing and fabricated a scaled model of the component of the corn mill which was the corn mill outlet. First, CAD drawing was executed and learned through SolidWorks. Drawing created was printed featuring the detailed 3D views and dimensions. This, process ensures that the drawings created can be easily followed and makes it possible for non-experts to fabricate it.
For Activity 3, the student assisted on the pre-laboratory testing of mungbean sheller units to ensure the optimal performance or field condition of the machine. The speed of the shelling drum was set at 2 different revolutions per minute (ROM) : one (1) for 350 RPOM and one (1) for 400 RPM and airflow velocity to determine the consistency of the airflow given the 15, 30, 60 seconds interval.
For Activity 4, the student assisted on the functional testing of the coffee moisture meter. To ensure the best quality in coffee, determining of moisture content (MC) is critical. Testing results indicated that the coffee moisture meter was sufficiently accurate for Excelsa, Liberica and Robusta varieties.