Design fabrication and performance evaluation of Vermicompost Harvester
Loading...
Views
...
Downloads
...
Date
2024
Authors
Lean Ernestine O. Burbos and Abbygail R. Obispo
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The study was carried out to design, fabricate and evaluate the performance of a vermicompost harvester in separating vermicast from the worms and coarse particles, hence, improving the quality and market value of the vermicompost product. The vermicompost harvester was fabricated based on the design plans and specifications, which included the five (5) main components: power source transmission system, cylindrical sieve, frame, inlet hopper and slide chute. The design of the cylindrical sieve was a perforated metal sheet and screening holes that were ¼ inch in diameter. It had an inner diameter and length of 0.6 meter and 1.22 meter respectively. The performance of the vermicompost harvester was evaluated in terms of throughput capacity, sieving recovery, separation efficiency, purity and energy consumption at different speeds (5 rpm, 10 rpm and 15 rpm) and angles of inclination (5o, 8o, 10o) using 20 kg of vermicompost for the treatment. Results showed that the highest throughout capacity (315.40 kg/hr) was achieved at 15 rpm at 10o angle, the highest sieving recovery were achieved at 15 rpm and 5o angle. The 15 rpm yielded for sieving recovery and sieving efficiency were 63.83% and 96.32% respectively. Furthermore, the 5o AOI produced for sieving recovery and sieving efficiency were 64.94% and 96.23%, respectively. The highest purity was achieved at 10 rpm and 8o angle, and the higest preparation efficiency of worms (94.62%) was achieved at 15 rpm and 8o angle. The overall cost of the machine was Php 50,000 with a break-even weight of 39,755.80 kg/yr of vermicompost product at an operation cost of Php 0.42/kg, returning the investment in 0.43 years. Therefore, the developed machine was observed to increase the market value of the vermicompost and therefore, an economically viable developed technology.