DEVELOPMENT OF A LOCUST BEAN SEED DEHULLING CUM WASHING MACHINE

Okunola, Abiodun A. and Adekanye, T. A. and Ayooluwa, A. and Okonkwo, Clinton E. and Alake, S. A. and Olayanju, T.M.A. and Adewumi, Adejoke D. DEVELOPMENT OF A LOCUST BEAN SEED DEHULLING CUM WASHING MACHINE. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology. ISSN 0976-6340

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Abstract

A wet locust bean seeds (Parkia biglobosa) dehulling and washing machine was developed to reduce the drudgery attached to traditional dehulling of the seeds which are processed for use as condiments and flavors’ for food in many African countries. The machine consisted of dehulling and washing units, the dehulling mechanism obtains its drive from a 0.38 kW gear motor of 30 - 50 rpm. The dehulling shaft; has rods arranged concentrically to break seed coat and radial fan-like blades used as a stirrer. The dehuller cum washer was evaluated based on the boiling time of the seeds on an electric cooker. The result indicated that the efficiency of the machine increased linearly with an increase in boiling time. The throughput capacity decreased with an increase in boiling time and moisture content decreased with an increase in boiling time from the sixth hour. Dehulling efficiency ranged from 59.7 to 68%, and cleaning efficiency ranged from 83.4 to 87.4 % while the average throughput capacity was 108 kg/hr.

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