PH—Postharvest Technology: Optimization of Coir Dust Compaction using the Response Surface Methodology Approach
✍ Scribed by Juanito T. Batalon; Ponciano S. Madamba
- Publisher
- Elsevier Science
- Year
- 2001
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 159 KB
- Volume
- 78
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0021-8634
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
The response surface methodology approach was used to establish the optimum compaction conditions for coir dust. The independent variables studied were moisture content (12}28% w.b.), compaction load (8)000}12)000 kg) and binding material (0}6%), in a fractional factorial design following a three-level threeparameter design. Product quality attributes such as vertical expansion in mm, failure load in kg, water-holding capacity as a % and "nal product density in g cm\ were considered as responses.
An analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that moisture content and binding material signi"cantly a!ected vertical expansion and water-holding capacity but did not signi"cantly a!ect compression strength and "nal product density. Compaction load was found to be an insigni"cant factor to any of the responses within the load range tested. Second-order polynomial models, generated for vertical expansion and water-holding capacity were found to be adequate, while statistically insigni"cant models were generated for compression strength and "nal product density.
Through superimposition of the contour plot responses, optimum conditions for compaction of coir dust were established with no supplementary binding material. Assessment of the predicted values obtained and their practical implications suggests an optimum compaction moisture content of 17)5% where predicted values approximated the experimental values.