Background:
Banana fibre is extracted from banana pseudo-stem by removing the non-fibrous tissues and other plant parts from the fibrous bundles. The fibre extraction can be done either by hand extraction or by the use of mechanical extraction. The mechanical extraction is usually carried out by power operated raspader. But many of these machines are not very suitable, due to high impact force coming of the fibre to be extracted, leading to lower recovery and also breakage of the fibre. At present there are many models of banana fibre extraction equipment. Even the sucker wastes can also be utilized for making vermi-compost. In 8 hours, the machine can extract 15 -18 kg of dry fiber.:
The existing equipment has the following drawback:
a) Tedious:
b) Not very safe:
c) Low output:
d) Single feed/person operation process:
e) Double direction of the feed effects the strength/ quality of the fibre:
Therefore, ICAR-CIAE-NRCB has developed continuous banana fibre extraction equipment. :
Technology Details:
The salient feature of the developed ICAR-CIAE-NRCB continuous banana fibre extraction equipment are as follows. The average capacity of banana fibre extraction was 23.2± 2.05 kg/h on wet basis and 3.65±0.32 kg/h on dry weight basis. (Commercial model of banana fibre extraction equipment is 8.4±0.85 kg/h on wet basis and 1.4±0.13 kg/h on dry weight basis). Continuous feed banana fibre extraction equipment has been designed and developed for enhanced capacity. The equipment consists of power assembly, feed assembly, conveying assembly, beating assembly etc. The continuous feed banana fiber extractor has an Input capacity of 175-200 kg/h pseudo stem outer sheath and output capacity of 500-600 g/h dried fiber (existing equipment @150g/h) .The dried fibre recovery is 2.5-3.5 % (existing equipment @ 2%).