DEVELOPMENT OF ALMOND SEED EXTRACTOR FOR WHOLE KERNEL RECOVERY

Abstract

Almond seed extraction from whole kernel recovery is a process which is usually performed manually thus making it laborious and time consuming. The purpose of this paper is to investigate a means for almond seed extraction for whole kernel recovery to close the gap in domestic, commercial and industrial demand of almond seeds for food and industrial processing. The machine comprises of four units: the hopper; the cracking chamber which embeds the shaft, the hammer and electric motor. SolidWorks software was used to determine the responses of the machine critical elements. The sample of almond fruits used was picked from the premises of University of Ilorin, Kwara State. The fruit (almond) was properly prepared by removing the fleshy parts from it and subjecting its seeds to a drying period of 7 days to 10 days at an average temperature of 35^oC before been loaded into the extractor where cracking of the seeds was effected. Performance evaluation of the machine was conducted; its efficiency was found to be 82.5% with a throughput capacity of 42kg/h and whole kernel recovery of 70%. The machine is affordable to both peasant farmers and process industries.