Browsing by Author "Sokhansanj, S."
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Item Feasibility of producing Comfrey (Symphytum spp.) pellet as a feed supplement(1999-02-25) Barl, B.; Gibson, N.; Crerar, B.; Shao, J.; Sokhansanj, S.Comfrey (Symphytum spp.) is highly valued animal feed supplement which commands premium price in some parts of the world. It is a well documented medicinal plant which is easy to grow, but due to low fiber content, and high moisture and protein contents, is not as easy to dehydrate. The objective of this study was to generate preliminary information on cultivation and chemical composition, with emphasis on toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (P As), of two comfrey species: S. officainale (common) and S. uplandicum (Russian). Also, the feasibility of pilot scale dehydration and pelletization of leaves was to be established. It was found that in comparison to alfalfa pellets, comfrey pellets were less durable (73% vs. 89%) and less hard (4.3 MPa vs. 6.84 MPa), but in appearance and some physical properties they met the alfalfa industry standards.Item High temperature mechanical drying of field peas (Pisum sativum, L.)(1997-02-20) Ganesh, C.V.; Sokhansanj, S.Drying characteristics of field peas (Pisum sativum, L) at 80” C showed steeper drying rate when compared to low temperature drying. The higher initial moisture content samples had steeper drying characteristics than the low moisture content field pea samples. The drying rate for field peas at 80” C was higher throughout the drying period as compared to drying rates at lower temperature for all initial moisture contents.Item Management of natural drying systems for Saskatchewan climate(1997-02-20) Arinze, E.A.; Sokhansanj, S.; Schoenau, G.J.Item Recent developments in the disinfestation of Hessian fly puparia in baled hay(2003-02-18) Opoku, A.; Tabil, L.G.; Crerar, W.J.; Whistlecraft, J.; Sokhansanj, S.To comply with phytosanitary and quarantine regulations, baled hay has to be disinfested of Hessian fly [Mayetiola destructor (Say)] puparia before exporting to Japan. Several laboratory and field trials to destroy Hessian fly puparia in baled hay were either successful or unsuccessful. After the unsuccessful attempt to destroy Hessian fly puparia in the last confirmatory field test, laboratory tests were performed to identify any problem areas and validate the possible causes of insect survival during the field trials. Three different quantities of infested wheat seedlings contained in mesh bags designated types “A”, “B” and “C” test cages were used in the tests. Moisture content of the infested wheat seedlings contained in test cages was determined by the oven method. A recirculating forced-air dryer unit was used to determine the time required for the temperatures within the bulk of the infested wheat seedling to reach 60oC, and to confirm the thermal kill temperature for the Hessian fly puparia when the puparia were still located in the seedlings intact. Three thermocouple sensors were inserted into the bulk of the wheat seedlings to monitor the temperature. Three replicates were conducted for each test cage size. Heat disinfestation and control (unheated and heated) tests were conducted in a heat treatment unit on timothy hay bales. Thermocouple sensors were inserted into the bales and the wheat seedlings to monitor their temperature profiles. The heating time was influenced by the packing density of the infested wheat seedlings contained in the test cages. The survival of the Hessian fly puparia was influenced by the moisture content and the packing density of the infested wheat seedlings.Item Relationship between physical properties of malt measured mechanically and by machine vision(1998-02-19) Krishna, K.K.; Sokhansanj, S.Item Solar hay drying research at the University of Saskatchewan(1997-02-20) Opoku, A.; Sokhansanj, S.; Arinze, E.A.; Schoenau, J.J.; Crerar, B.A new solar hay dryer was designed and developed at the University of Saskatchewan for the commercial production of high-quality hay and processed forage products. The solar hay dryer, consisting of a solar collector with aluminum absorber plate and spaced fins, a drying shed with perforated metal grate floor above the ground level, swing-away plywood frames and polyethylene curtains for effective sealing of the sides and end of the hay stack during drying, an insulated duct and a crawl space below the floor where a 3-hp In-line centrifugal fan is situated for negative pressure air circulation, was evaluated for its functional performance. The solar collector performed satisfactorily with high average daily collector efficiency of 76% under bright sunshine conditions. Sealing the hay stack with polyethylene curtains coupled with the suction pressure produced uniform air distribution and uniform drying of the hay. The overall system drying efficiency of 79% was obtained for the drying system. The fan supplied about 70 m3/min of air, and the air temperature rise above ambient was 13-15 C during peak bright sunshine hours in August and 10- 13 C in September. In late August and early September, 1996, the solar hay dryer was used to dry hay from an average initial moisture content of 33% w.b. to 13% w.b. and from 25% w.b. to 11% w.b. in 4 and 3 days, respectively.Item Value added processing of dehydrated and suncured alfalfa(2003-02-18) Adapa, P.K.; Tabil, L.G.; Schoenau, G.J.; Sokhansanj, S.A pilot scale pellet mill was used to produce pellets using ground alfalfa leaf and stem fractions. Both suncured and dehydrated alfalfa chops were used in the experiments. The moisture content of the suncured and dehydrated chops was 8.4 and 9.6% (wb), respectively. A stack of two square sieves with different opening sizes and a pan were used to separate leaf and stem fractions. The leaf and stem fractions were further segregated into two sample lots and ground in a hammer mill using two screen sizes of 3.20 mm (1/8 in.) and 1.98 mm (5/64 in.). The leaf and stem fractions from each sample lot of same grind sizes were combined to get five different samples with leaf content ranging from 0% to 100% in 25% increments. The moisture content and temperature of the samples were raised to 10-11% (wb) and 76oC, respectively, in a double chamber steam conditioner prior to the pelleting operation. The temperature of material was further raised to 95oC in the pellet mill due to the friction between its roller-die assembly. Average particle sizes of sample lots were determined. Temperature and moisture content of samples after various pelleting stages were recorded. High durability pellets were produced using fractionated suncured alfalfa irrespective of grind size (except for 100% stems, which was low). Durability fluctuated between high and medium range for dehydrated alfalfa (except for 100% stems, which was low). Dehydrated alfalfa produced pellets with greener color, while suncured alfalfa produced harder pellets.