This paper presents experimental research on cutting a single stalk of triticale straw for the production of biofuel in the process of its compaction using the piston technique. In the first stage of the experimental study of cutting single triticale straws, the variable parameters were the moisture contents of the stem equal to 10% and 40%, the offset between the blade and the counter-blade g, and the linear velocity of the knife blade V. The blade angle and rake angle were equal to α = 0° and β = 0°. In the second stage, the variables, including the blade angle values α = 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45° and the rake angle values β = 5°, 15°, and 30°, were introduced. Taking into account the analysis of the distribution of forces on the knife edge leading to the determination of the force quotients Fc″/Fc and Fw/Fc, and on the basis of the optimization performed and the adopted optimization criteria, the optimal knife edge angle α can be determined (at values g = 0.1 mm and V = 8 mm/s) at α ≅ 0° and the angle of attack β within the range of 5-26°. What the value will be in this range depends on the value of the weight adopted in the optimization. The choice of their values may be decided by the constructor of the cutting device.
Keywords: biomass; cutting parameters; straw-cutting process.