REMODIFIED GROUNDNUT DECORTICATING MACHINE: DESIGN AND FABRICATION

Abstract

Groundnut product demand is increasing and its use largely depends on the nuts' cleanness.The separation of the nut from the shell is the first stage and is usually energy-sapping and time-consuming.In order to separate the nut from its shell effectively a decorticating machine was developed.However, the existing machine uses beaters on a rotating shaft which results in losses due to the breakage of the nuts.This paper presents the modification of the design and fabrication of the motorized groundnut decorticating in which the beaters on the rotating shaft were replaced with pins to reduce losses and improve efficiency.The machine consists of a hopper, frame, belt, pulleys, bearing house, bolts, and nuts and is driven by a 2-horse power electric motor at 1600rpm.The electric motor is controlled by a microcontroller such that the decorticating process automatically halts whenever the processing of the quantity of the peanut inside the hopper is completed.The materials used in the fabrication of the components were mostly mild steel while standard components were purchased.The cost of the machine was 150,000 ($200) which is affordable as all materials were locally sourced.Preliminary tests revealed that the modified machine has improved the efficiency of processing as well as reduced drudgery as compared to the former design.The machine is expected to assist and encourage more rural populace to embark on pea nut farming as well as saving foreign reserves thereby boosting the economy and improving social security.