Evaluation of a centrifugal impaction-type decorticator for shelling tung fruits

The size of moringa seeds was characterized, and the dehulling process parameters were optimized. The effects of moisture content, feed rate, operational speed, and beater‐drum clearance on dehulling efficiency were studied. A 4 × 5 central composite rotatable design was employed, and multiple linear regression was utilized for analyzing data at 5% significant level. Experimental results were used to validate predicted optimum conditions. Processing parameters were related to dehulling efficiency using developed mathematical models. Maximum dehulling efficiencies of 81.14, 85.66, and 96.03% were obtained for the small, medium, and big sizes respectively. The moringa seed size and other processing factors were found to have significant effect on the dehulling efficiency. Predicted optimum values of 83.62, 88.18, and 99.69% for small‐, medium‐, and big‐sized categories, respectively, were obtained at 9.38%wet basis moisture content, 1.35 kg/min feed rate, 844.61 rpm dehulling speed, and 6.38 mm beater‐drum clearance. The experimental values were 84.33, 88.97, and 99.76% for small‐, medium‐, and big‐sized categories, respectively, under the optimal conditions. Variations between values obtained experimentally and predicted were negligible and statistically insignificant; therefore, the selected models were adjudged to adequately predict the dehulling efficiencies for all the size categories. Practical Applications Despite the benefits derived from moringa seeds, dehulling of the seeds has been a tedious operation. Considering this, a moringa dehuller was developed, and the performance was evaluated. However, for an efficient system, it is imperative to understand the mechanisms of the various important factors influencing the dehulling process and their interactions. The approach of considering one factor per time consumes time and is unrealistic to obtain the right optimal conditions; making it impractical to optimize the dehulling process using such approach. Considering this, RSM was employed to optimize the moringa dehulling process parameters. Mathematical models were developed to predict responses during the dehulling process using RSM. For efficient machine performance, the seeds were graded into various sizes and the effects of moisture content, feed rate, operational speed, and beater‐drum clearance on the dehulling efficiency were investigated and optimized. Results obtained in the study would be useful to moringa seed processors.

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 68%

Size characterization of moringa (Moringa oleifera) seeds and optimization of the dehulling process

Fakayode

Akpan

Ojoawo

2019

“…This happened because initial increase in crankshaft speed built impact force up to minimum threshold cracking strength of pit. Hence, amount of undecorticated pits in output was reduced with initial increase in speed (up to 75 rpm) which enhanced the decortication efficiency (Sharma, Pradhan, Naik, Bhatnagar, & Singh, ). However, after 75 rpm, decortication efficiency decreased linearly.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and testing of apricot (Prunus armeniaca. L) pit decorticator

Kate

Lohani

Shahi

2018

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca. L) is an important stone fruit grown abundantly in the temperate climate. Traditionally, the fruit stone (pit), leftover part of fruit after utilizing apricot flesh, contains the apricot kernel. These kernels are currently being explored for the oil extraction purpose. Therefore, postharvest management and processing of the apricot pit are imperative along with its process mechanization. Manual decortication of apricot pit is tedious and laborious task. Hence, a small‐scale apricot pit decorticator machine was developed to mitigate all these issues. The machine works on the principle of breaking the pit by impact and compression forces produced by reciprocating piston. Performance of the decorticator was evaluated using dry wild apricot pits. The independent variables, namely, crankshaft speed (60–100 rpm), moisture content (8.5–16.5% wb), feed per stroke (10–18 g/stroke), and impact clearance (0–2 mm) were selected for testing of the decorticator. Decortication efficiency and broken kernel percentage were obtained in the range of 67.25–77.49% and 8.97–30.17%, respectively. The best performance of the decorticator for maximum decortication efficiency with minimum percentage of broken kernels were found to be at 85 rpm crankshaft speed, 15% (wb) moisture content, 18 g/stroke feed per stroke, and 0.8 mm impact clearance. Pay‐back period of the decorticator was found to be 0.48 years. Practical applications Apricot kernel present in pit is very fragile because of its softness and friability. Hence, it is very difficult to remove the outside husk mechanically without crushing or breaking the inside kernel. There is very high value of whole and quality kernels in dry fruits, confectioneries, medicine, and cosmetics. Various traditional methods are very tedious, laborious and uneconomical to the farmers and result in low quality unhygienic products. Therefore, a mechanized apricot pit decorticator working on the principle of impact and compression forces has been developed to solve the problem. The machine can decorticate pits easily with maximum decortication efficiency, minimum brokens, and reduced drudgery. The developed decorticator has potential for commercial production of kernels. It will increase the commercial application of kernels in dry fruits, confectionery, medicines, cosmetics, and further value additions.

“…This is credited to the increased dryness of the seed (Sharma et al . ) and is also ascribed to the relative increase of impact force that resulted from increase in speed.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design and Performance Evaluation of a Melon Sheller

Sobowale

Adebiyi

Adebo

2015

Melon seed is an important oil seed crop that serves numerous food purposes. Shelling of this crop is vital prior to its vast applications. To address the challenges associated with shelling melon, a melon sheller was designed and constructed. Parameters evaluated include shelling efficiency, percentage seed shelled and damaged, throughput and machine capacity. The machine was constructed using locally available materials and consists of a hopper, frame, shelling and cleaning unit, chutes and prime mover. Shelling operation was carried out using melon seeds of three different moisture contents (6.99, 11.90 and 18.32%) and at different shelling speeds of 2,500 and 1,500 rpm, while performance was evaluated. Results obtained showed that shelling speed of 1,500 rpm and moisture content of 18.32% have the best shelling efficiency of 76.30% and least percentage seed damage of 22.60%, compared with shelling speed of 2,500 rpm and seed moisture content of 6.99%, which had a shelling efficiency of 70.0% and percentage seed damage of 68.10%. Shelling speed of the machine and seed moisture content of melon affect the rate, efficiency and percentage seed damage. The machine and throughput capacity of the equipment are 7.95 and 9.56 kg/h, respectively. This design and set of conditions selected were the most preferred because of its rapid operation, lesser seed damage and minimal human energy expenditure. The developed machine do not require skilled labor, and this melon sheller can effectively address the problems associated with the traditional method of shelling melon among the rural dwellers in Nigeria. Practical Applications The constructed sheller is practically applicable to melon seed shelling and subsequent cleaning of its chaff. This will address the prevalent challenge associated with processing of melon seeds, which limit its further use.