Performance Evaluation of a Mechanical Pelletizer and Preliminary Studies on the Saccharification Conditions using Aspergillus niger Pellets
Author : Catahan, Marilyn Alejandrino
Major Adviser : Capareda, Sergio C.
Major Co-Adviser : Sanchez, Priscilla C.
Committee Members : Arquiza, Apollo C.; Abrigo, Casiano S. Jr.
Year : 1996
Month : May
Type : Thesis
Degree: BS
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Abstract
The performance of a mechanical pelletizer designed to produce Aspergillus niger pellets was evaluated.
The effects of different presser weights on the lengths, diameters and weights of the pellets produced were determined using 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5 and 10 kg presser weights. Tests have shown that the presser weights have significant effects on the lengths and weights of pellets produced but no significant effect in their diameters.
The efficiency of the pelletizer terms of microbial count before and after pelleting was also determined. In the three runs made, it was found that the efficiency in each run did not vary significantly from each other. The mean pelletizer efficiency for all three runs was computed using the 10⁴ and 10⁶ dilution factors and has a value of 80.94%.
The effects of cooking time and temperature on the saccharification process using the pellets were also determined. The values used for cooking time were 10, 20 and 30 minutes while temperature values were set at 30°, 35° and 40 °C. Statistical analyses have shown that there was no significant difference in the amounts of sugar produces using the three temperatures. The amount of sugar produced at 20 and 30 minutes cooking times did not also vary significantly from each other. Only the 10 minute cooking time differed significantly from the two.
Further studies are recommended to determine whether or not temperature has an effect on the saccharification process using higher ranges so that the optimum conditions can be established.
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