Effect of Blade and Operational Parameters on Shredding of cotton stalks in Experimental cotton stalk shredder

Abstract

The influence of the selected level of variables of three levels of blades (viz. 2, 3 and 4), four levels of peripheral velocity (viz. 21.52, 23.80, 26.58 and 28.60 ms -1), three levels of blade thickness (viz. 2,4 and 6 mm) and four levels of blade rake angle (viz. 0, 15, 30 and 45 deg) on shredding efficiency of an experimental cotton stalk shredder, in terms of length of cut of cotton stalk, was investigated. Increase in peripheral velocity from 21.52 to 28.60 ms -1 resulted in decreased length of cut. The lowest value of length of cut was 113.83 mm with 2 blades, 0 deg blade rake angle and 28.60 ms -1 peripheral velocity. At 0 deg blade rake angle, the length of cut of shredded cotton stalk was much lower than other blade rake angles at 6 mm blade thickness. Increase in number of blades from 2 to 4 resulted in increased length of cut for all the levels of blade rake angle. Increase in blade rake angle from 0 to 45 deg resulted in increased length of cut for all levels of peripheral velocity and number of blades. Two blades with 0° blade rake angle, 6 mm blade thickness and 28.60 ms -1 peripheral velocity recorded the lowest value of length of cut.