Corn stalk orientation effect on mechanical cutting

Research efforts that increase the efficiency of size reduction of biomass can lead to a significant energy saving. This paper deals with the determination of the effect of sample orientation with respect to cutting element and quantify the possible cutting energy reduction, utilising dry corn stalks as the test material (15%–20% wet basis). To evaluate the mechanical cutting characteristics of corn stalks, a Warner–Bratzler device was modified by replacing its blunt edged cutting element with one having a 30° single bevel sharp knife edge. Cutting force-deformation characteristics obtained with a universal testing machine were analysed to evaluate the orientation effects at perpendicular (90°), inclined (45°), and parallel (0°) orientations on internodes and nodes for cutting force, energy, ultimate stress, and specific energy of corn stalks. The corn stalks cutting force-displacement characteristics were found to differ with orientation, and internode and node material difference. Overall, the peak failure force, and the total cutting energy of internodes and nodes varied significantly (P < 0.05) with stalk cross-sectional area. The specific energy values (total energy per unit cut area) of dry corn stalk internodes ranged from 11.3 to 23.5 kN m−1, and nodes from 8.6 to 14.0 kN m−1. The parallel orientation (along grain) compared to perpendicular (across grain) produced a significant reduction of the cutting stress and the specific energy to one-tenth or better for internodes, and to about one-fifth for nodes.

Research highlights►Corn stalk cutting force-displacement characteristics varied with orientation. ►Energy used in stalk size reduction greatly reduced by cutting off perpendicular. ►Ten times less force and specific energy when cutting internodes parallel to stalk. ►Five times less force and specific energy when cutting nodes parallel to stalk.