The physical and thermal properties of Jack bean seed (Canavalia ensiformis) were investigated. The physical properties were determined using standard measuring instruments, whereas the thermal properties were determined using KD2 Pro at 30°C with moisture ranging from 5% to 25%. The average mean values of 460 jack bean seeds were 18.21 mm for length, 11.96 mm for width, 8.57 mm for thickness, 12.91 mm for the arithmetic mean diameter, 12.29 mm for geometric mean diameter, 0.67 for sphericity, 406.87 mm2 for surface area, and 709.83 mm3 for volume at 7.76% moisture content. While the values for true density, bulk density, and porosity were 1.78 g/cm3, 0.68 g/cm3, and 57.42%, respectively. The specific heat ranged from 1.55 to 2.47 kJ/kgK, thermal conductivity from 0.21 to 0.47 W/mK, and thermal diffusivity from 0.25 to 0.41 × 10–7 m2/s for the same moisture content. The developed regression models were given a high coefficient of determinations.
Practical applications
Jack bean seed (Canavalia ensiformis), one of the tropical dry beans that have not been properly used, is now gaining potential for human and animal consumption due to its nutritional benefits. A lot of research has been done on this crop with little or no information on its thermo‐physical properties. However, knowing these properties of this jack bean seed will help in selecting the necessary machine design parameters and production line quality to reduce food waste.
An easy-to-operate maize dehusker-sheller machine was constructed from locally available materials with relatively low cost at the premises of DAF Technical Services, Ilorin, Nigeria, between June, 2017 and February, 2018. The construction of the machine was carried out by sizing and marking out of the plate using scriber and cutter. The shaft was smoothened with sand paper and various components were welded; assembling of parts was done by fastener (bolts & nuts). The machine consisted of four units (feeding unit, dehusking -shelling unit, cleaning unit and outlets). Results obtained indicated a mean de -husking efficiency of 58.67%, 57.00%, 54.16 at speed 469 rpm, 309 rpm and 298 rpm respectively. The mean shelling efficiencies were 73.36%, 71.53%, 65 55% at 469 rpm to 298 rpm. And mean through put capacity of 55.90 kg/hr, 41.10 kg/hr and 36.00 kg/hr at speed stated above. Also the mean cleaning efficiencies were 79.97%, 79.77%, 82.23% at speed 469 rpm, 309 rpm and 298 rpm respectively. The mean grain losses were 20.37%, 21.20% and 17.16% using the three speeds stated above. In conclusion, the mean dehusking efficiency, shelling and mean through put capacity performed best at 469 rpm while mean cleaning efficiency and mean grain loss was best at speed 298 rpm. Adesokan et al.; CJAST, 34(4): 1-8, 2019; Article no.CJAST.46586 2
Original Research Article
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