All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Energy in Agriculture and Agro-based Industries
Introduction
All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Energy in Agriculture and Agro-based Industries, Dr. PDKV, Akola Centre started in 1990 with Thermo Chemical Conversion Technology and Operational Research Project was added during the year 2009.
- To study and develop technologies and processes for enhanced use efficiency of renewable and non-renewable energy sources in production agriculture and agro-processing.
- To demonstrate technologies and practices for enhancing utilization of conventional energy based systems and augmenting use of renewable energy in agriculture sector.
- Solar energy laboratory
- Renewable energy park
- Biomass power plant,
- Biogas power plant
- Gasification based power unit
Research Engineer
All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Energy in Agriculture Agro-based Industries
Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Krishi Nagar, Akola – 444 104 (M.S.)
Phone & Fax No. – (0724) 2259404
Research Activities and Achievements
PDKV Solar Insect Light Trap
It consists of a SPV panel and lead acid battery. Solar panel used to charge the battery during day time. It consists of charge controller, dusk to down electrical circuit, adjustable stand and 5 W, UV-a blue light for insect attraction. Operating hours are 6 h per day during 4.00 h to 6.00 h and 18.00 h to 22.00 h. One solar insect light trap is sufficient to cover an area of 2 Acre. It does not involve use of electrical energy from grid. Solar insect light trap can be used in the garden, orchard, vegetable and all seasonal crop.
Tractor powered portable briquetted machine for agro-residue
It is a simple, convenient and efficient flat die and roller type pelletizing machine of approximately 50 kg/h capacity for agro residue material. The
Mini Solar Tunnel Dryer
- Consisted of a hemi-cylindrical metallic frame structure of size 1.6´1´9 m) covered with UV stabilized polyethylene sheet of 200 micron thickness.
- To create natural draft inside the dryer, chimneys are provided on the top of dryer.
- North wall is also provided to boost up natural convection.
- Adequate provisions to reduce heat losses from the floor
- The capacity of drier is 10 kg in batch.
- It is techno-economically feasible for drying of spirulina (Algae), wheatgrass, red chilli, turmeric slices etc.
Biomass based air heating system with rotating trays for drying agricultural produce
- A system consist of: (1) A biomass combustor with hot air generator and (2) A cabinet dryer with rotating trays (drying chamber)
- The biomass heated air rotary tray dryer can be favourable as it works during off sun-shine hours.
- It reduces average drying time compared open sun drying and also it can maintain the colour value, water activity and organic constituent of the product.
PDKV solar powered refrigerator using nano-refrigerant
- A 60 litre capacity vapor compression refrigeration system powered by solar photovoltaic, battery bank and inverter is designed to operate for 24 hours. The system can be used with refrigerant R-134a (tetra-fluoroethane) and nano-refrigerant (R-134a + 0.5% Al2O3).
- The SPV powered refrigerator able to maintain the temperature as specified by the WHO for the vaccine preservation (2 to 8°C). The solar photovoltaic refrigerator system is capable for cooling the vaccine for 24 hours of a day.
- The SPV powered refrigerator normally works with the use of nano-refrigerant, which provide higher COP as well as lower power consumption.
The maximum per cent power saving of 10.63 in winter and 13.33 in summer season was found by using the nano-refrigerant over the refrigerant R-134a.
Agricultural waste fired drying system retrofitted with solar dryer
- A solar biomass hybrid drying system consisted of: (1) A solar cabinet dryer (drying chamber) and (2) A biomass combustor with hot air generator.
- The system maintains nearly 60°C temperature during night time; hence it could be used for drying operation during off sunshine hours.
- It could be used for continuous drying of medicinal plants.
- The time required for drying of Shatavari, Ashwagandha and Red Chilli sample in this system were found as 13h, 12h and 28 h, respectively.
- The system was found economically feasible for drying of medicinal as well as agricultural crops.
Transfer of Technologies
A number of solar and biomass based technologies have been developed under this project and successfully demonstrated at university, villages as well as at user’s sites through technology melas, demonstrations and trainings.
2017-18 | Participation in the AGROTECH (Farmers Mela) organized by Dr. PDKV, Akola |
Technology and Machinery Demonstration Mela at Govt Polytechnic Ground, Khamgaon, Dist. Buldhana | |
2018-19 | Participation in Shivar Pheri organized by Dr. PDKV, Akola |
2019-20 | Participation in the AGROTECH (Farmers Mela) organized by Dr. PDKV, Akola |
2021-22 | Demonstration of renewable energy technologies at Dr. PDKV, Akola |
Shivar Pheri – 2021 at Dr. PDKV, Akola | |
‘Technology and Demonstration Mela – 2022’ at Dr. PDKV, Akola |
2019-20 | Demonstration of renewable energy technologies at Medshi village, Dist. Akola |
Training and awareness of renewable energy technologies at Sahit village, Dist. Akola | |
2020-21 | Demonstration of renewable energy technologies at Dr. PDKV, Akola |
One day workshop cum demonstration for tribal rural women on | |
Demonstration of biomass air heating system to M/s Appa Swami Agro Produce Company for drying of Shatavari crop | |
2021-22 | Demonstration of renewable energy technologies at Khirpuri, Gaygaon, Nimbkarda, Morgaon (Sajjan), Kanshivni, Pardi, Morgaon (Kakad) villages in Akola district |
“Demonstration of Red chili drying in different solar dryers” at Dr. PDKV, Akola | |
“Training and demonstration of Renewable Energy Technologies” at Dr. PDKV, Akola |
- One month In-Plant Training on “Skill Development in Renewable Energy and Application in Rural Sector” during June 01-30, 2018.
- One Day Training on “Modified biogas technology based on solid state fermentation” at Yelwan and Kanshivani, Dist. Akola on October 24, 2017.
- ICAR Sponsored Short Course on “Recent advances in utilization of renewable energy and energy conservation” during November 01-10, 2017 at Dr. PDKV, Akola. No. of participants were 25.
- ICAR Sponsored Short Course on “Innovative Applications of Renewable Energy Technologies for Rural Sector” during 01-10 October, 2018 at Dr. PDKV, Akola. No. of participants were 25.
- In Plant Training “Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Development in Solar energy”. 01 Jan. to 30 April, 2019. 41 Number of farmers were present.
- Summer Training on “Skill development in Renewable Energy Systems” was organized for 4 weeks during June 1-30, 2019. 50 numbers of Undergraduate students of Agricultural Engineering degree programme from SAUs of Maharashtra state were participated.
- National training on “Issues of Entrepreneurship in Agriculture and Technology” at Dr. PDKV, Akola during November 5-14, 2019.