LAUSR

Kaewwinud N., Khokhajaikiat P., Boonma A. (2017): Effect of moisture and region of cut on cassava stalk properties in biomass applications. Res. Agr. Eng., 63: 23–28. In an attempt to investigate the potential of using cassava stalk as a biomass material and determine the design requirements for developing a cutting machine, this study aims to investigate physical and mechanical properties of cassavas stalk, under the influence of moisture content and region of cut using statistical techniques. Moisture contents were ranged into three different levels; 54.19, 43.05 and 24.93% wet basis (w.b.) while cutting regions were classified as top (tip of cassava stalk), middle and bottom. Mechanical properties were represented by shearing stress. Physical properties, on the other hand, were represented by length, diameter, and mass. By decreasing moisture levels, all parameter values were reduced, except shearing stress. Moreover, it was found that shearing stress increased when lowering the cutting line. Maximum and minimum shearing stress occurred at bottom and top regions of the stalk, respectively. Most importantly, moisture content and region of cut both had a significant influence (P < 0.05) on shearing stress, although the latter had much larger impact.