Open AccessDesign Modification of a Cassava Attrition Peeling Machine
Author(s) -
O. D Alli,
M. S. Abolarin
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of physics. conference series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.21
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1742-6596
pISSN - 1742-6588
DOI - 10.1088/1742-6596/1378/3/032029
Subject(s) - sprocket , pulley , auger , mechanical engineering , electric motor , sorting , enhanced data rates for gsm evolution , computer science , materials science , automotive engineering , engineering , artificial intelligence , programming language
There is still an increase in the demand for engineering innovations in designing cassava peeling attrition machines which will limit drudgery which its operators are being subject to. However, one major factor that has limited all existing designs is the fact that cassava tubers have irregular geometries. Hence, the emphases of this thesis is to design based on modifications, fabricate test and performance evaluation of a cassava tuber peeling machine using standard available materials by basically inculcating two contra-rotating shafts with brushes as deflectable knife edges and an auger that is inclined at an angle thus being powered by an electric motor and gravitational energy of the earth. The components of this machine include a main frame, feeding hopper, cylindrical peeling chamber, auger conveyor, belt and pulley transmission system, chain and sprocket transmission system, waste outlet, manual handle bearings and 1hp electric motor. By operation, cassava tubers are introduced into the feeding hopper which is then collected by the auger into the extracting compartment at an angle of 10 degrees, the auger conveyor which is well fitted inside the peeling chamber then translates the cassava tubers, and then presses the cassava tubers against the brushes. Each brush acts as a knife edge and also deflects to create an opening to accommodate the variable irregular cross sections along the length of any cassava tuber. The minimum and maximum mass of cassava tubers that are loaded into the peeling chamber from the introductory sector in different time intervals are 4.5kg and 5.0kg respectively. The Throughput Capacity of the machine is 47.9kg/h. The minimum and maximum force exerted per unit length of cassava tuber by each brush is 1.02Nmm-1 and 1.85Nmm-1 respectively. The machine was evaluated at stepwise speed of 50rpm from 50rpm to 250rpm. The minimum moisture content of each cassava tuber was 45% and a maximum of 70%. The maximum peeling efficiency was obtained at the minimum speed of 50rpm and a maximum moisture content of 70%.