The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has secured a Patent No. 507172 for its innovative Portable Maize Dryer, a development is a ground breaking step for post-harvest processing in maize cultivation. This technology will replace traditional drying methods particularly in rural areas by the efficient grain drying solutions.
Development and Design
On the request of Punjab Secretary of Agriculture, PAU’s Department of Processing and Food Engineering embarked on designing a portable and efficient maize dryer. The project was led by Dr. Mahesh Kumar and Dr. Satish Kumar, with the support of Engineers from NU Tech Dairy, Ambala, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PAU.
Technical Features
Capacity and Efficiency: The dryer can handle 3 tons of maize per batch, effectively reducing the moisture content of freshly harvested maize from 25% to 14%, ensuring safe storage.
Operational Flexibility: This dryer can be operated using a 35 HP tractor Power Take-Off (PTO) or a 15 kW electric power source, which makes it adaptable to various farming setups.
Heating Mechanism: This dryer is equipped with a three-pass indirect heating diesel-fired furnace, the dryer consumes 3-4 liters of diesel per hour.
Advanced Control Systems: This dryer has modern features to control the process including a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) system, waste heat recovery unit, automated temperature control ranging from 50°C to 90°C, and a flame-based optical sensor, ensuring precision heating and enhanced energy efficiency.
The granting of this patent has enhanced the PAU’s commitment to advancing agricultural technology and supporting farmers with practical solutions that enhance productivity and sustainability in crop management.
agriculture
UIET granted a patent for Multi Plant Transplanting technology
UIET Institute granted a patent for Multi Vegetable Transplanting. It will speed up the plant saplings by saving time, energy and money.
According to Prof. Sachdeva (Vice Chancellor), promoting research and research is their main priority. To promote innovation, entrepreneurship and self-employment, two incubation centers have also been established in UIET Institute. Research and innovation is the key solution to social problems including agriculture, business, science and technology.
This patent was applied in June 2023 by the team of Department of Mechanical Engineering. A team of 19 students from the Mechanical Department along with Dr. Sanjay Kajal, Dr. Sunil Nain, Dr. Anuradha, Dr. Upendra Dhull. The machine was also displayed at Mahatma Phule Agricultural University, Pune, Maharashtra for assessment and inspection purpose.
350 saplings can be planted in one go
In the agricultural sector, the work of planting saplings is done by hand, which takes more manpower and time. By using this machine a farmer sows in his field, he can adjust the distance from plant to plant and line to line in the machine as per his wish. This machine not only saves time and energy in planting trees but also saves money. The machine has technology of a transmission, Geneva and rotor mechanism, through which the distance can be set according to the need of the plant.
The space is provided for two trays, through which 350 plants can be planted at a time. This machine can transplant many plants like brinjal, tomato and chilli.