Development of window compost pile mixer
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Date
2023
Authors
Maria Sarah DG. Bulaclac and Redekah Ruth U. Castro
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Abstract
This study was carried out to design, fabricate and evaluate the testing performance of compost mixer in mixing the window compost pile. The specific goal of this study was to determine the appropriate mixing speed to facilitate its mixing performance and perform simple cost analysis on the machine.
The compost mixer was designed and drawn based on the physical characteristics of the window compost pile. The machine was fabricated based on design plans and specifications. The components of the compost mixer include engine, power transmission system, counterweight frame, wheel, flywheel and mixing arm. The mixing arm was designed with steel shafting solid round bar covered by a flat steel bar with a length of 0.67m and an angle bar welded to the shaft (0.002m x 0.02m) by which its spacing varies from 5 inches and its clearance from the ground is 3 inches. These gaps were sized up based on the actual size of the windrow compost pile.
Three different mixing speeds of the mixing arm (150 rpm, 200 rpm, and 250 rpm) were evaluated. Nine (9) windrow compost pile with the dimensions of (L:2.5m x W:0.70 m x H: 0.75 m) were used in the treatment at three (3) replications. Results showed that the appropriate mixing speed was at 250 rpm giving an actual mixing time of 1.85 minute and fuel consumption of 256 ml. Likewise, the distances of debris on both length and width are closely aligned and do not appear to have a noticeable impact. the overall cost of the machine excluding the engine was Php 21,174.50. the machine was calculated to operate with fixed annual cost of Php 23,027.27/yr and a variable cost of Php 123.41/hr.