Performance evaluation of some tangential impact shelling devices for moringa seed shelling

Abstract

The utilization of Moringa oleifera seed requires efficient shelling process and effective detachment of whole kernels from its shells. In this work, the effects some Tangential Impact Shelling Devices (TISDs) and moisture content on Moringa oleifera seed shelling process were established. The moisture content of moringa seed was varied from 9.17 to 24.31% while three different configurations of flat bar-cylinders having inclination of 30^o, 60^o and 90^o were applied in the shelling process. The performance of the machine was evaluated based on capacity, percentage whole kernel recovered, percentage broken kernel recovered, shelling efficiency and separation efficiency. The capacity, percentage whole and broken kernels recovered with shelling and separation efficiencies were found to have mean range values of 6.70 – 7.98 kg/hr, 58.72 – 85.17%, 14.83 – 41.28%, 91.73 – 94.77%, and 73.52 – 82.10% respectively for the three cylinders. The moringa seed shelling machine had a maximum value of 8.44 kg/hr, 97.97%, 85.17%, 75.98% and 82.10% for capacity, shelling efficiency, percentage whole kernel recovered, percentage broken kernel recovered and separation efficiency respectively. The variation of moisture content using three different Tangential Impact Shelling Devices (TISD) were found to influence the  performance of the moringa seed shelling significantly (p<0.05). The information derived from this work shows best cylinder bar inclination for recovery whole moringa kernel. In moringa seed shelling machine where tangential impact shelling device is used, cylinder bar inclination of 30^o would reduce broken kernel in moringa seed shelling.