Transcript
Page 1: ABE 415 Presentation

Apple Sanitation SystemSponsored by: ISU Horticulture Research Station

Michael BellZach Torres

Josh SampsonYoussef Al-Yakoob

ABE 415, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Design I

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Client Contact

Iowa State Horticulture Research Station

Nick Howell, Farm Superintendent• (515) 291-1559• [email protected]

Brandon Carpenter, Ag. Specialist III• (515) 232-4786• [email protected]

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Current State

Small Scale GrowersLarge Scale Orchard Production

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Apple Sanitation System Overview

Stage 1• Initial Conveyor• First cull remover

• Chain belt

Stage 2• Wash Bay 1

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Apple Sanitation System Overview

Stage 3• Wash Bay 2• Wax & Polisher

Stage 4• Apple Sorter

• Five sizes• Cull, small, medium,

large, and extra-large

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Project Scope

• Develop a system to remove superficial diseases from apples, integrate Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) safety into the current system, and automate control and filtration system

• Secondary focus is to minimize water usage and capability of using the system for other produce.

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Problem Brief

Sooty Blotch and Flyspeck (SBFS)

• Superficial disease on apples• If not removed, apple grade is

lowerIn order to rid this problem, the apples are required to be soaked ina chlorine solution.

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GAP Safety and GMP Safety

• USDA/FDA regulations are becoming more stringent (may soon become law)

• GMP, Good Manufacturing Practices, includes sanitizing equipment, water cleanliness, and worker hygiene

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Current Options

• Lakewood Process Machinery• Lawrence, MI

• JMS Industries• Coimbatore, India

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Main Objectives

• Ensure that new design can be integrated into current setup with minimal changes

• Provide electronic control of new system

• Maintain a design that is scalable and cost effective for growers of all sizes

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Criteria & ConstraintsCriteria• Should maintain or increase efficiency• Should integrate electronic controls for entire system• Minimize space occupied and cost to build• Adapts to current system and have a diversified capability for other

produceConstraints• Must have electronic on/off switch• Must meet GAP & GMP Standards• Must be made of stainless steel• Must have a water flush system

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Conveyor System (manual filter)• Chain Link conveyor with

paddles• Gravity fed into/out tank• 22 Bushel/hour (max)

estimated• Manual filter system (push

button)• Reservoir for exchanging

water

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Conveyor SystemManual water filter system

• Not fully automatic • System must meet or exceed GAP Standards

• Filter may require daily cleaning

• Cost effective• Simple controls (push button)• No downtime (versus no filter)• Recycles water• Electronic control for majority of

process

Advantages: Disadvantages:

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Advantages:• Pre-made tanks available• Easily change throughput• Fully submerges apples• Compact (4’x2’ footprint)

Conveyor SystemConveyors

Challenges:• Construction of conveyor

• Need multiple idler pulleys• Chain conveyor needs custom built

• Tank modifications• Interior dividers

• Optimizing capacity• Different sized apples (paddle

spacing)

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Waterwheel System

-Utilization of a water wheel-System specs: • Integrated into current system • Waterwheel• Push button• No filter • Brush wheel• Ramp

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Waterwheel SystemAnatomy

Waterwheel Material : Acrylic• Rectangular acrylic platforms fit in between

waterwheel and act as paddles for picking up apples.

• Stainless steel rod acts as axle of the waterwheel.

• Steel rod is fitted with a bearing.• The bearing is the mechanism of

movement for waterwheel• Acrylic parts are glued together using an

acrylic solvent cement that is water-friendly. • How would waterwheel be powered?

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Waterwheel SystemPower Source

• Utilization of a belt pulley powered by a motor

• Belt hooks onto bearing of the water wheel axle

• Motor can be turned on/off at operator’s discretion

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Waterwheel SystemAcrylic Properties

Numerous pros of using acrylic:

• Cheap/readily available

• Water friendly and non-reactive with bleach

• Strong polymer

• Easy to clean

• Parts can be cut from acrylic sheets, using a water jet or laser cutting

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Advantages of Waterwheel Option

• Aesthetics• Innovative• Water wheel can be operated at user’s discretion• Easily maintained/cleaned

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Float System● Gravity Fed● Float with overhead

sprayer● Hook wheel with

interlocking ramp● In-line filter with

recirculation pump

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Float System

Advantages: Disadvantages:

● Simple Design● Easily Integrated● Easily Maintained● Able to Prototype● Recycles Water

● High Space Requirement● High Cost with Stainless Steel● Apples Not Fully Submerged

Float Conveying

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Float SystemFilter System

Disadvantages:● Simple design● Automated cleaning● Minimal operator control

required● Monitors pH level and

bleach concentration

● High Cost● Requires Maintenance

Advantages:

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Design MatrixOption 1:Conveyor

Option 2:Waterwheel

Option 3:Float System

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416 Future Plans• Finalize idea beginning of next semester• Pick best pieces from each proposal• Start prototyping immediately

• Wood/acrylic prototype• Prove that our system will work

• Research can be done using prototype

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Questions?


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