Abschlussarbeiten
Investigation and optimization of microwave assisted
1. Thema / Topic:
Investigation and optimization of microwave assisted shea butter mechanical extraction
2. Type of Thesis: M.Sc.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Joachim Müller
Contact person: Wiomou Joevin Bonzi
3. Beschreibung der Arbeit / Description and objective:
Shea is a product primarily growing in sub-Saharan Africa, renowned for its butter widely utilized in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, with a high market value. Despite its prominence, the extraction process for shea butter in these regions remains traditional, largely due to limited financial resources, limiting the investment in high-efficiency industrial facilities. Moreover, mechanical extraction which can be considered as financially attractive in these countries doesn’t gives acceptable efficiencies (30 to 40 %). Studies have been carried out to improve mechanical pressing, but optimization remain needed. Microwave extraction presents itself as an alternative to conventional pre-treatments such as steaming or roasting, albeit with lower energy efficiency and promise for improved efficiencies. Previous tests on microwave-assisted solvent extraction of shea butter have demonstrated encouraging outcomes, including reduced extraction time, minimized solvent usage, and satisfactory oil quality (Nde et al., 2016).Therefore, the objectives of this study are:
Evaluate the efficiency of mechanical extraction of shea butter with microwave assistance.
Determine the ideal kernel parameters (size particles, moisture content) for efficient microwave pretreatment.
Determine the optimum microwave treatment for maximum oil recovery
Analyze the quality of the produced shea butter compared with conventional processes.
4. Anforderungen / Requirements for the applicants
- Completed bachelor studies in Agricultural engineering or in a related discipline and eligible for master thesis
- Very good written and spoken English.
- High level of motivation, initiative, flexibility, and the ability to work in a team.
5. Kontakt / How to apply:
Please send your CV and your academic transcripts to:
Wiomou Joevin Bonzi: Email: bonzi.wiomoujoevin@uni-hohenheim.de
6. Bewerbungsfrist / Application deadline: 15th June. 2024
7. Dauer der Arbeit / Duration: 1st of July until 31st of December 2024
Developing a scanner for high throughput phenotyping of corncobs
Developing a scanner for high throughput phenotyping of corncobs
Type of Thesis: M.Sc. / B.Sc.
Description and Objective:
Maize (Zea mays) is one of the most important crops in the world being widely used for bioenergy, animal nutrition and human consumption. As the corn cob is the most nutritious part of the plant, yield parameters as cob length and kernel number are highly relevant for breeding superior varieties. These traits are usually measured destructively by threshing the cobs (e.g. for counting kernels) or they are measured manually by human workers, which is tiresome, expensive and can be inconsistent.
Therefore, our goal is to develop a low-cost scanner for corn cobs which is capable of rapidly and accurately measuring the corncob phenotype. Ideally the system includes both capturing of RGB images and real-time image analysis. Modern AI-optimized hardware will be applied which enables deployment of machine learning and conventional algorithms.
Your tasks could include:
· Construction and assembly of the scanner
· Writing code to control the scanner
· Writing code for image analysis and training machine learning models
· Manual measurements on maize cobs
· Application of the scanner
Skills in any programming languages are beneficial but being open to learning Python and Linux is even more important.
Research project:
AMAIZE-P: Adaptation of maize-based food-feed-energy systems to limited phosphate resources
RS 2.3: Detecting phosphate status in soil and in maize canopies by non-invasive methods
In cooperation with:
RS 1.1: Genetic variation, genetic architecture and genomic prediction of P-use-efficiency traits in European and Chinese maize
How to apply:
Please send your CV to:
M.Sc. Leon Oehme
Institute of Agriculture Engineering, Tropical and Subtropical Group (440e)
Email: leon.oehme@uni-hohenheim.de
Investigation of the efficiency of a solar-powered maize threshing machine for small holder farmers in the tropics
Internship/Master or Bachelor thesis
Description:
Agricultural practices in African farming systems are the least mechanised worldwide. Post-harvest operations, like threshing, rely mostly on traditional, labour-intensive methods, resulting in high costs, significant losses, and reduced profitability. Mechanisation is often impractical due to the high cost of fuel, lack of skills, and lack of grid electricity. This study will investigate the efficiency and feasibility of a solar-powered maize threshing machine developed for use by smallholder farmers in tropical regions, with a particular focus on northern Rwanda.
The main objectives are to evaluate the machine’s efficiency, energy consumption, and overall performance, as well as its applicability for rural agricultural use in tropical countries. By utilizing renewable solar energy, this machine aims to reduce operational costs and promote sustainable farming practices, particularly in regions with limited access to conventional power sources.
Objectives
o Assess the energy consumption of the solar-powered maize threshing machine
o Evaluate the machine's efficiency with varying maize sizes and moisture content
o Examine the economic viability of the solar-powered maize threshing machine by comparing operational and maintenance costs against energy savings.
Methodology
The maize thresher setup is available at the Institute of Agricultural Engineering, University of Hohenheim. The maize cobs needed for experimentation will be threshed from the university's experimental fields in batches, with varying moisture content. Threshed grain will be classified into categories using a terminal velocity platform, and the percentage of high-quality grain will serve as the indicator of threshing efficiency.
Requirements
o Student in Agricultural Engineering or related disciplines and eligible for carrying out a Thesis/Internship
o Basic knowledge in postharvest handling and renewable energy in agriculture.
o Proficiency in written and oral English.
o Knowledge of economic concept is regarded as a strong asset
How to apply:
Please send your CV, cover letter and academic transcripts to:
Mr. Janvier Ntwali
Institute of Agriculture Engineering, Tropical and Subtropical Group (440e)
Address: Garbenstr. 9, 0024/14
Email: janvier.ntwali@uni-hohenheim.de
Application deadline: 30. September 2024