ASSESSMENT OF A MODIFIED MIXER IN WET DEHULLING OF COWPEA (Vigna unguiculata)

Authors

  • Olawale Charles Ogunnigbo Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
  • Adetan Dare Obafemi Awolowo University
  • Olusunmade Femi Olusola University of Agriculture Makurdi.

Abstract

This study evaluates the performance of a modified flour mixer for use as a wet bean de-hulling device. The effect of soaking time, running time and operating speed was investigated. The machine was driven at 150, 200, 250, 300 and 350 rpm, for operating times 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5mins in dehulling beans soaked in water at ambient temperature of 29 ± 2oC for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 minutes. The results showed that soaking time, operating speed and machine running time have significant effect (at 5% significance level) on all the performance indices of the machine. The highest de-hulling efficiency of 92.68% with percentage seed breakage of 31.35% was observed for black eye pea; corresponding values for brown beans were 91.65% and 25.20% respectively. These values were obtained at seed soaking time of 6 minutes, operating speed of 350 rpm and machine running time of 4 minutes.

Keywords: Dehulling, Black eye pea, Ife brown, Soaking time, Running time, Percentage breakages.

Author Biographies

Olawale Charles Ogunnigbo, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.

Department of Mechanical Engineering (Assistant Lecturer

Adetan Dare, Obafemi Awolowo University

Dr. (Department of Mechanical Engineering)

Olusunmade Femi Olusola, University of Agriculture Makurdi.

Assistant Lecturer (Department of Mechanical Engineering)

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Published

2018-11-02

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 2 (2018): CIGR Journal

Section

VI-Postharvest Technology and Process Engineering