BANNARI AMMAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNLOGY

TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS INCUBATION

(BIT-TBI)
PROJECT PROPOSAL
BANNARI AMMAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNLOGY
(An Autonomous Institution Affii!t"# to Ann! Uni$"%sit& of T"'(noo)&* Coim+!to%"
A,,%o$"# +& AICTE A''%"#i!t"# +& NBA N"-#"(i !n# NAAC -it( .A/ G%!#")
S!t(&!m!n)!!m 0 123456 E%o#" 7ist%i't T!mi N!#u In#i!8
SUBMITTE7 TO
T(" H"!# !n# A#$iso%*
NSTE7B 7i$ision
7",!%tm"nt of S'i"n'" !n# T"'(noo)&
T"'(noo)& B(!-!n
N"- M"(%!ui Ro!#
N"- 7"(i 665561
AGA9E AMERICANA L8: A FIBRE FOR FUTURE TECHNICAL AN7
IN7USTRIAL APPLICATIONS
INTRO7UCTION
Natural fibres are becoming increasingly important owing to their desirable
environmental properties. The tensile behaviors of these fibres are affected by plant
growth and processing conditions and their micro structure. These properties can be
improved by chemically modifying the fibres for a variety of uses. The effect of
processing conditions such as retting duration, mercerization and hydrothermal treatment
influences on the tensile properties of these fibres.
Agave genus has a millenary relationship with the history of Mexico, as it has
been useful for a wide range of applications among Mexican cultural development, from
alimentary purposes to medicinal, religious, textile, construction, and even ornamental
ones. The genus belongs to the order Asparagales and to the Agavaceae family, and more
than 2 species plus !" infra specific categories have been identified, from which "#$
are found in Mexico, being this country the center of origin of this genus. There are
around %&# species of Agave endemic to Mexico. 'ome agaves are mainly used to
produce alcoholic beverages such as Mezcal (A. angustifolia) A. potatorum) A. salmiana*,
'otol (A. dasylirion) +asilyrion ssp.*, ,acanora (A. angustifolia) A. potatorum) A.
pacifica*, -ul.ue (A. salmiana*, and Te.uila (A. te.uilana*. Natural aguamiel or /uices
obtained from cores or 0pi1as2, fresh or coo3ed, can be used to obtain polysaccharides,
agave fructans, high fructose syrup, biofuel or Maillard compounds. Agave fibrous wastes
also can be used as source of paper4ma3ing fibers and fertilizers. 'ome agaves are mainly
used in fibre production such as A.'isalana and A.Americana.
AGA9E AMERICANA L PLANT
Agave Americana 5. is a monocotyledon plant, which belongs to the amaryllidaceae
family (6igure %*. This species of Agave originates from 7entral America and is
abundantly available in several regions of North Africa. The basic fiber of Agave
American 5. is hard and is derived from the leaf structure of the plant. 8p until the %9#s,
it was used by the local people in North Africa to ma3e ropes and cordage. The leaves of
Agave Ameri cana 5. present a composite structure with an organic matrix and
reinforcement composed of cellulose micro4fibers, which show different 3inds of
chemical bonding such as covalent, hydrogen or :an der ;aals bonds.
6igure % Agave Americana 5. plant.
The organic matrix is composed of several components including hemicelluloses, pectin
matter, lignin and gums. The reinforcing fibers are mainly composed of cellulose, but
after extracting them from the matrix, the other elements of the matrix can be found.
These fibers are presented as fibrous bundles called technical fibers. The study of
physical characteristics of the technical fibers of Agave Americana 5. shows that the
count is 2! tex, the density is %.&& g<cm& and the length is up to %.# m. This fiber has a
high rupture strain ranging from &9 to !9$ and an initial modulus around ! =-a. +ue to
its strong mechanical properties, Agave technical fibers have been used for a long time in
the rope industry. 'ome studies were interested in using technical Agave fibers in
composite materials.
FIBRE CHARACTERISATON
Mo%,(oo)i'! ,%o,"%ti"s
The agave Americana 5. fibres are white to yellowish in colour, and have a hard touch
due to the existence of lignin on their surface. ;e can also observe longitudinal strea3s
which are characteristics of long vegetable fibres (6igure 2a*. ,y examining these
technical fibres with an '>M ('canning >lectron Microscope*, we can see a ?composite@
structure where Aultimate fibres are held together by stic3y and waxy substances to finally
form a technical fibre with section forms which are difficult to define. The ultimate fibres
show oval and irregular sections with a large lumen (6igure 2b*.
6igure 2a. 5ongitudinal and cross4section views of an Agave Americana 5. fibre
6igure 2b. (5eft* '>M picture of individual fibre showing the helical structure of this
fibre and length of a spiral side. (Bight* '>M picture of individual fiber showing the
ribbon shape of the fiber and highlighting its two axis (a* and (b*.
P(&si'! ,%o,"%ti"s
+ensity (g<cm&* %.&C
6ineness (tex* 2!.
7rystallinity ($* #%.2
Tenacity (cN<tex* &!.#
Mean brea3ing 'trength (g* #2&
Dnitial modulus (cN<tex* C".2
>longation ($* %!.
7ellulose ($* #9.
5ignin ($* 2.#
Eemicellulose ($* &F.!
5ength (cm* up to %#.
The Agave Americana 5. fibres are coarse fibres with an average linear density
e.ual to 2! tex, a diameter (calculated by assuming the cylindrical form of the fibre*
e.ual to %# Gm, and an apparent diameter measured on a pro/ection microscope e.ual to
2C& Gm. The pro/ected apparent diameter distribution of these fibres is symmetric, uni4
modal and ad/ustable to a normal law with an error limit e.ual to #$. 7ompared to other
fibres from the same family , the agave Americana 5. fibres are light, with a density e.ual
to %.&C measured at 2%H7 using the gradient column techni.ue. Also, in comparison with
other textile fibres, the agave Americana 5. fibres are more hydrophilic than cotton, flax,
and other vegetable fibres, with a regain e.ual to %"$. At this point, they are comparable
to /ute and wool fibres.
M"'(!ni'! +"(!$io%
These mechanical properties of Agave Americana shows a specific behaviour,
which recalls that of rubber, with great extensibility (#$* before rupture. Most vegetable
fibres do not exceed %$. The tenacity of agave Americana 5. fibres is near those of
vegetable fibres such as sisal or flax) their initial modulus is much less than those of the
other natural fibres. The rupture wor3 is higher than that of other natural fibres, especially
vegetable ones.
6igure &. Agave Americana 5eafs and 6ibres
PROCESS SE;UENCE OF FIBRE E<TRACTION
Agave Americana fibre is extracted from the leaves by mechanical and chemical
methods. Mechanical extraction is mainly employed generally in consideration with
environmental issues.process se.uence of Agave Americana fibre production is given
below in figure
6igure !. -rocess se.uences of Agave Americana fibre production
Agave Americana 5eaves are collected from the plant using long 3nives and
transported to the crushing machine. The leaves are crushed using the crushing machine
and crushed leaves are dried.The dried fibres are combed for removal of short fibres and
unromoved leave matters. =rading of fibres are done based on color and length of the
fibre.
The picture of lab model machine used for crushing is given in figure #,
EAB:>'TDN= I6 5>A:>'
7B8'EDN= I6 5>A:>'
;A'EDN= I6 6D,B>' >JTBA7T>+ 6BIM
5>A:>'
+BKDN=
-A7LDN=
7IM,DN=
=BA+DN=
6igure #. 5ab model 7rushing Machine for Agave Americana fibre extraction
6igure C. 7rushing of Agave Americana leaves
COMPARISON OF AGA9E AMERICANA =ITH OTHER NATURAL FIBRES
P%i'" 'om,!%ison
-rice of the Agave Americana fibre is expected to be very less compared to similar
natural fibres li3e >ut"* sis!* f!? !n# ("m,. The table given below shows the
comparison of mar3et prices of similar fibers
'.No 6ibre Name Approximate -rice < Lg
% Agave Americana & (>stimated*
2 'isal "#
& Eemp !
! Mute 2"
# 6lax "
Cuti$!tion %"@ui%"m"nts
All the natural fibres re.uire fertilized land with very good irrigation facility preferably
near to the rivers because of more re.uirement of water for fibre extraction. ,ut Agave
Americana can be cultivated in a dry landscape which receives very less rainfall and
also no need of retting process which re.uires huge .uantity of water and more
wor3 forces.
P(&si'! ,%o,"%ti"s 'om,!%ison
Length
6ibre length upto %.# m can be extracted from Agave Americana fibre which is
comparable with similar fibres.
Strength
Tenacity of Agave Americana fibre is around &# (cN<tex* which is &# $ higher than steel
wire with same weight.
Morphological nature
This fibre has a special characterizes of hollowness in nature compared to other natural
leaf and bast fibres
APPLICATIONS
As this fibre has higher strength and abrasion resistance properties can be used in the
following applications
%. Bopes
2. Twines
&. 6ibre reinforced 7omposites for low weight mechanical components
!. Nonwoven fabrics for civil and agriculture applications
#. Abrasive pads and polishing pads.
Eollow nature of the fibre can be utilized in the below products
%. Acoustics proof materials in theaters , auditorium and automobiles
2. 6alse roofing in hot weather countries li3e Dndia
,iodegradability of this fbre leads to the applications wherever the fibre has to be
degraded after some time li3e artificial land scapes, erosion control etc.
The below picture shows the needle punched nonwoven fabric made from Agave
Americana fibre.
6igure ". Needle punched Non4;oven fabric made from Agave Americana fibre
FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS OF FIBRE PRO7UCTION
Cost of ,%o#u'tion fo% 6555 A)s of fi+%"
Approximate weight of leaves is N %. Lgs
6ibre yield percentage N !. $
Amount of leaves re.uired N 2#, Nos
-lants per acre of land N %&, Nos
Number of leaves yield < acre < year N C, Nos
Amount payable to farmer N O %,
Earvesting and transport N O C,
-rocessing cost N O #,"
7rushing N O %
;ashing N O %
+rying N O %
7ombing N O %
>lectricity bill N O %
-ac3ing 7harges N O !
;ater 7harges N O &
Iverhead expenses N O 2#
Total >xpenses N O 2&,2
Tot! 'ost of ,%o#u'tion of fi+%" B C)s : D E28E5
S"in) P%i'" B C)s : D 25855
Total 'ales N O &,
=ross -rofit N O C,F
P%ofit B C)s : D 1835
The farmer who has # acres of land can earn O %, , < year by planting this crop.
P%o#u'tion '!,!'it& of t(" m!'(in"
7rushing speed N 2 3gs < min
7rushing capacity per day N 9,C 3gs
6ibre extraction < +ay N ! 3gs
6ibre >xtraction per month N %,! 3gs
Mont(& tu%no$"% : D 2* 6E*555
Mont(& P%ofit : D F5*FE5
BU7GET 7ETAILS:
The process involves three stages li3e 7rushing, ;ater /et washing, drying and combing.
The details of the budget is given below,
=o%Ain) C!,it! fo% 6 mont(
'. NI. DT>M' B>P8DB>+
BAT> I6
MAT>BDA5'
A--BIJ. 7I'T ( O *
CRUSHING UNIT
% 7alendar rolls 2 Nos. (#3g x 2 Q % 3g* #2 #2
2 6eeding conveyer 2
& 5oading >lements R 'prings F nos C!
! 5i.uor exit frame ( 'teel -late & 3gs* F# 2##
# Machine '3eleton ( ! Lgs* #2 2F
C =ear and -ulleys %
" Motor % %
F 5eaves storage bins % Nos % %
9 Trolleys for transport & Nos # %#
% 5athe charges &
Total Amount 6EGGH5
=ATER JET CLEANING
% =uiding Bollers ! Nos. (2 3g x ! Q F 3g* #2 !%C
2 'upport -lates ('tainless steel* 2 Nos. (23g* % 2
& =ears and auxiliaries F Nos %# %2
! Machine '3eleton ( 2 Lgs* #2 %%
# ,lunt needle bars C Nos %# 9
C ;ater Met nozzles C Nos %# 9
" ;ater -ump # #
F 6ibres storage bins # Nos % #
9 5athe 7harges !
Total Amount 31E15
7RYING
% +rying grids with clamps ( " Lgs* % "
2 Machine 6rame 2 Lgs #2 %!
& +rying 6an 2 Nos %# &
! 5athe 7harges %#
Total Amount 1E455
COMBING MACHINE
% 7onveyer belt 2 pairs "# %#
2 =rip -lates ! Nos ( '. 'teel % Lgs* F# F#
& -in point comber 2 Nos ( 'teel %2 3gs* #2 C2!
! Motor % %
# =ears and ,elts %#
C 5athe 7harges &
" Auxiliaries %
Total Amount G4F45
'heet Metal ;or3 for machine 7over 25555
>lectrical -anel wor3 EH555
Transport charges E5555
Ither >xpenses EH555
G%!n# Tot! 4*F2*2H5
Baw material for % month production N O 99,F! (2, !9,C leafs S .! < 5eaf*
5abour 'alary N O FF,!
Iverhead >xpenses N O 2C,
Total ;or3ing 7apital N O 2, %!,2!
Total -ro/ect 7ost N O C, F",#9
P%o>"'t ,!&+!'A P"%io# : 668H mont(s
CONCLUSION
Nowadays development of Technical Textile field is becoming a emerging field in
textiles. Leeping the ecological issues in mind May countries are restricting the
applications of mamade fibre. 'o, demands for the natural fibres are increasing in the
Technical Textile applications. Eigher strength, abrasion resistance properties and hollow
nature of Agave fibre suits in many applications li3e ropes, composites, abrasive pads,
acoustics proof and thermal insulation materials. This fibre has low manufacturing cost
and locally available in Dndia. the farmer society will get benefit from the plant by low
investment and high return compared to other fibre crops.
7urrent researches going on this fibre will more application for this fibre and
increase the mar3et potential.