BANANA FIBER EXTRACTION MACHINE 19

CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

From the objective to fabricate and conceptualize an electric powered

banana extractor machine that would aid in uplifting the production output and
efficiency, a methodical and comprehensive strategy is made on action. This is
accomplished through following these steps:

3.1 Research Design

3.1.1 Conceptual Components of an Electric-Powered Banana Fiber

Extractor

There are four fundamental components in the extraction machine –

machine frame, driving mechanism, holding mechanism, and the stripping/beating
mechanism. The frame acts as the structural framework that supports and holds the
other mechanisms. It must be firm and sturdy to be able to withstand vibration to
minimum. The next one is the driving mechanism, composed of an electric motor
together with the belt drive
system, rotating shafts with
pulley sheaves of 1:2 speed
ratio. And lastly, the beating
mechanism which is
ultimately consists of a
stripping roller and a roller
with blades equally spaced
around it.

Figure 3.1 3D Perspective of the Extractor

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Conceptual Design of Banana Fiber Extractor

Figure 3.2 Side View

Figure 3.3 Front View

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A. Machine Frame

It is very important that the machine frame is geometrically designed for it

to withstand vibration and give stability to the whole structure. The machine frame
(figure) was welded and assembled from angle bars with sizes 1.5” by 1.5” to
comply with the said requirements.

Figure 3.4 Machine Frame

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B. Driving Mechanism with the Belt Drive Mechanism

The mechanism was composed of an electric motor 1.5Hp, two 2B42 V-

belts and two pulley sheaves. It also used a shaft where the roller is attached.

Figure 3.5 Electric Motor, V-belts, and Pulley Sheaves

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C. Stripping or Beating Mechanism

The stripping/beating mechanism was made by two parts. The first one is a
beater drum made 12 inches long and 6 inches diameter metal pipe attached with 8
(1” by 1”) angle bars spaced around its body. The second one is a roller made
from a metal pipe 19 inches long and 1.5 inches diameter same with the feeder
rollers.

Figure 3.6 Beater drum and Rollers

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3.1.2 Fabricating Stage

After the thorough planning and discussion of the design, the approved
design was then fabricated. The Engineer of the Machine Shop listed all the parts
needed and we researchers purchased them all, after that the assembling followed.
All the parts were assembled at BBM Machine shop located at 116 Mc Arthur
Highway Barangay Sta. Teresita, City of San Fernando Pampanga. The figure
below shows the assemblage of the machine.

Figure 3.7 Day 7 of Fabrication

The machine is already half done. The frame was finished as well as beater
drum.

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3.1.3 Testing Stage

In order to test the effectiveness of the machine, series of experimentations

were undertaken. In this part, numerous modifications were made in order to fulfill
the general objectives of the research study. The aim of the tests was to determine
the ideal parameters for fiber yield of the given banana plant species.

3.2 Data Collection

In this part of the strategy, the researchers gathered all possible information
from internet, books, journals, connected local departments, and conduct
interviews to the authorities. This stage emphasize in the planning of making a
mechanical banana extractor machine that is more sufficient and convenient than
the manual designs. The researchers will discuss their plan to the adviser in
fabricating the project, and of course discuss also to the clients (farmers) in order
to meet the clients satisfaction to the design.

After gathering all the fundamental data needed, the researchers will start
on working on the expected design of the banana extraction machine. Equipment
and materials needed will also be precisely determined and gathered or purchase in
this stage.

3.2.1 Department of Agriculture

The researchers went to the Department of Agriculture Regional

Field Office III, located at the Capitol Compound, City of San Fernando, and
Pampanga, to confirm if the banana pseudostem contains fiber. They also asked
the locations of the banana plantations in Pampanga and nearer province.

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3.2.2 Department of Science and Technology

In acquiring in-depth knowledge and concepts regarding banana

fiber extraction, the researchers visited the DOST located at Government Center,
Maimpis City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The DOST member mentioned that the
PTRI can answer appropriately the questions.

3.2.3 Philippine Textile Research Institute

The proponents went to the Philippine Textile Research Institute

located at General Santos Avenue Taguig, Metro Manila, as stated by the DOST,
to attest the possible products out of the banana fiber the researchers extracted.
They also confirmed the market value of the banana fiber. An interview with Mr.
Edwardo M. Marin (Science Research Specialist II) was conducted.

3.2.4 Interview

The researchers gathered interviews with some plantations in Region III to

know more about banana cultivation. First, David’s Banana Plantation located at
Palat Porac, Pampanga with Mr Lito David the caretaker. Next is in Garden Grill
Farm sited at Kabuwak II, Tarlac City with Mr Nonoy Engle, an agriculturist.

3.3 Data Analysis Procedure

In this part of the study, presents all the method, concepts and ideas being
used that were considered applicable to the project. It covers all the aspects, from
the instruments and materials used in the fabrication to the experimental approach
itself.

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3.3.1 Department of Agriculture

The researcher Mr. Alexander E. Santos (Science Research Specialist II)

confirmed that the banana cultivars contain fiber but not as strong as the abaca
which is the main source of fiber in the Musa family in the Philippines.

The locations of banana plantations were also revealed in the interview.

Figure 3.8 Volume of Production, Area Planted, and Number of Bearing

Hills for Banana: Philippines, 2013-2017

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Figure 3.9 Distribution of Production for Banana by Region: Philippines, 2017

Figure 3.10 Distribution of Production for Banana by Variety: Philippines, 2017

Source: Crop Statistics of the Philippines (2013-2017)

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Table 3.1 Volume of Production for Banana by Region: 2013-2017 (in metric tons)

Table 3.2 Area Planted for Banana by Region: 2013-2017 (in hectares)

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Table 3.3 Number of Bearing Hills for Banana by Region: 2013-2017

Source: Crop Statistics of the Philippines (2013-2017)

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3.3.2 Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST)

With the help of Mr Edwardo M. Marin (Science Research Specialist II of

PTRI), the researchers of the study acquired the data regarding the possible
products of the fiber in the textile industry. They also learnt the mechanical
properties as the physical properties of different varieties of banana cultivars.

3.3.2.1 Physico-chemical properties of decorticated fibers

Although all the banana fibers under investigation belong to genus Musa,
their physico-chemical characteristics vary to some extent. The important physico-
chemical properties of the decorticated banana varieties are presented in the table
below.

Tensile Strength,
Variety RGC% Fineness, Denier
kgf-m/g

Bongolan 42.85 b 30.89 b 74.40 ab

Lakatan 43.84 b 36.47 c 85.27 c

Pakil 47.33 b 32.59 bc 93.35 c

Saba 40.03 a 29.84 b 83.33 bc

Saksik 47.03 c 23.03 a 91.75 c

Tordan 47.97 c 32.51 bc 67.69 a

Cavendish 40.29 c 35.45 c 67. 20 a

Table 3.4

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Figure 3.11 Different Kinds of Fiber from PTRI

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3.3.3 Interview

The interview was conducted with Noynoy Engle, an agriculturist and the
owner of the Garden Grill Farm. According to him, the one hectare farm started
last 2012 containing 900 banana plants majority of which is cardava. He revealed
that in every pile, there should be only three banana plants, the mother, follower,
and the sucker (suli). Also, he mentioned that banana bear fruit after 18 months,
and the peak season is during the rainy days which starts at August.

The researchers at the same time confirmed that after the fruit has been
obtained, the banana plant must be cut down to give space for another one, and the
plant will only go as waste or making it only a fertilizer cited by Agriculturist
Noynoy. Weekly, the numbers of fully grown pseudostem being cut are 20 pieces.

Figure 3.12 Interview

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3.3.4 Fabrication Stage

After 20 days of construction, the machine was fully fabricated.

Figure 3.13 Final Product

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3.3.5 Testing Stage

Testing Procedure:

The main steps of the testing process were as follows:

1. The feed system has an initial blade clearance of 5mm, and the nuts of
the carriage assembly secured.

2. The motor supplying power to the drum was started and its speed slowly
increased to approximately 700 rpm.

3. The pseudostem sheath were weighed and fed into the feeding roll, for a
period of 2s. For safety reasons, only a portion of the sheaths were processed,
while the remaining piece served as a handle. To account for the unprocessed
material, the remaining stumps were cut free from the fibres and the difference in
mass measured.

4. The motor was then switched off and the clearance adjusted. The entire
procedure was repeated for clearances of 2 mm and 1 mm.

5. The fiber extracted was sun dried for half day, to get rid of its remaining
moisture content. Then, it was weighed.

Banana Sheath Duration Weight Input Excess Weight

1 26 s 0.5625 kg 0.1875 kg

2 27 s 0.5625 kg 0.0625 kg

3 24 s 0.75 kg 0.0625 kg

4 24 s 0.8125 kg 0.25 kg

5 17.5 s 0.3125 kg 0.3125 kg

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6 22.5 s 0.5 kg 0.125 kg

7 40 s 0.75 kg 0.25 kg

8 39.2 s 1 kg 0.25 kg

9 17 s 0.3125 kg 0.0625 kg

10 29.5 s 0.5 kg 0.125 kg

Data:

Total Weight Input = 6.0625 kg

Total Weight Excess = 1.6875 kg

Total Weight Output = 0.375 kg

Formula:

Wnet=

% Yielding =

Wnet= (6.0625 – 1.6875) kg

Wnet= 4.375 kg

% Yielding 8.57 %

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