Main Article Content
Determination of some physical properties, angles of repose and frictional properties of a local variety of kernel and nut of oil palm
Abstract
The study was to determine the moisture content, size, volume, sphericity, solid density, bulk density and porosity, angle of repose, coefficient of static friction and compressive strength of oil palm kernel and nut. The results show that the moisture contents were 7.94% and 25.31% for the kernel and nut respectively. The arithmetic and geometric mean diameters were 1.56 cm and 45.79 cm (kernel) and 0.87 cm and 1.27 cm (nut). The average volumes were, 1.75 cm3 (kernel) and 0.79 cm3 (nut). The average sphericities were 66.37 % (kernel) and 64.36 % (nut). The average solid densities, bulk densities and porosities of the samples were 1.63 g/cm3, 0.00053 g/cm3 and 61.32 % (kernel) and 2.13 g/cm3, 0.0008 g/cm3 and 46.91 % (nut). The average values for the angles of repose on wood were 20.8 0 (fresh), 22.81 0(boiled), 19.09 0 (kernel) and 60.71 0 (nut). On glass, the angles of repose were 17.53 0 (kernel) and 64.08 0 (nut). Those on metals were, 18.55 0 (kernel) and 62.3 0 (nut). The coefficients of static friction on wood were 0.35 (kernel) and 1.89 (nut). On glass, coefficient of static friction was 0.32 (kernel) and 2.18 (nut). Those on metals were 0.34 (kernel) and 2.0 (nut).