Improvement of an existing low cost wooden groundnut sheller

Abstract

An existing manually operated groundnut sheller was re-designed, fabricated and tested. About 90% of the components of the 18 kg./hr capacity rasp-bar sheller, equipped with a kernelcleaning device, were fabricated using the sawn wood of Cordia millennii. A one-off prototype of the sheller was produced at a total cost of about N4,500.00. Performance evaluation conducted using “Spanish Valencia” groundnut cultivar at 10%moisture content (dry basis) indicated an average shelling efficiency of 76% and a cleaning efficiency of about 82%.

Keywords: groundnut sheller, wooden, shelling efficiency, cleaning efficiency

Journal of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology Vol. 5(1&2) 2005: 71-74