Selected physical and mechanical properties of velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) were studied at two moisture content levels of 13% and 20% (db). Compression strength characteristics were conducted under quasi-static compressive force at longitudinal and latitudinal (lateral) loading positions and the rupture forces, compressive strength, modulus of deformability, toughness, stiffness and force at bio-yield point determined as the mechanical properties at varying loading positions. Results indicated that volume (7.398 -9.416 mm 3 ), surface area (73.289 -111.782 mm 2 ), geometric mean diameter (9.18 -11.68mm), and weight (0.872 -1.055 g) of the velvet bean seed increased linearly with increase in moisture content. Also, the bulk density, specific gravity (0.118 -0.112 g/mm 3 ), sphericity (0.737 -0.704) and aspect ratio (0.776 -0.719) decreased linearly with increase in moisture content. These indicate that Velvet beans have wide size ranges and no single sample of the grains can effectively represent the other. In the case of the force-deformation characteristics, result indicates that the force and corresponding deformation to rupture of velvet bean seeds were found to vary from 525N, 5mm in longitudinal loading position to 800N, 7mm in lateral loading position at 13% moisture content and 131.25N, 3mm in longitudinal loading to 237.5N, 4.75mm in lateral loading at 20% (wb) moisture content.

This study investigated the possibility of separating oil palm kernel and shell mixture using media other than clay in wet separation. The separation efficiency of each medium ["Ikwube" (anthill), palm ash and sandy loam soil] was compared with that of clay. The effect of media type, specific gravity of the slurry, pH and slurry viscosity on the efficiency of separation were studied. The media/water ratio of 0.20:1, 0.30:1, 0.40:1, and 0.50:1 by weight were prepared in four aluminum pots for each medium at a time and each used to separate 20kg of cracked nut (palm kernel and shell mixture). The specific gravity and viscosity increases with increase in media/water ratio while the pH decreases. Higher slurry viscosity resulted in a better separation but there is decrease in the efficiency when viscosity is above 3.5 and 5.5 cP for clay and "Ikwube" respectively. The suitable media slurries were found to have specific gravities between 1.04 and 1.12. The optimum condition in which separation efficiency was found in the media/water ratio of 0.30:1. Among the media used, "Ikwube" was found to be comparable to clay at a medium-to-water ratio of 0.30:1 giving 98.93% efficiency. Thus, it is recommended that "Ikwube" can be used in place of clay for wet separation.