Design and development of a palm kernel nut cracking unit

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15587/2706-5448.2022.253931

Keywords:

Elaeis guineensis, nut cracking unit, cracking speed, kernel breakage ratio, moisture content

Abstract

The object of this research is the cracking of the nuts of oil palm (Elaesis guineensis). The oil palm tree is one of the greatest economic assets a nation can have, provided its importance is realized and fully harnessed. After the oil extraction of palm oil from the palm fruits, virtually all methods involved in palm kernel nut cracking both in traditional and small-scale exist in scattered or separate units of operations. Hence, this research focused on designing a palm nut kernel cracking unit incorporating a separator in form of a screen to separate cracked palm kernel nut shell from kernel. The result shows that there were significant difference (p≤0.05) among the moisture content of the palm nuts, shaft speed of the machine and weight (feed rate), having a significant difference between:

– moisture content of the palm nut and the shaft speed of the cracker;

– moisture content and feed rate;

– shaft speed and feed rate.

There exist interaction between cracked, uncracked shell, damaged, undamaged kernel, and palm kernel nut breakage ratio. While, there was no significant difference among interaction between moisture content, shaft speed and feed weight. The result also indicated that for the highest speed of 1,800 rpm at a feed rate of 700 kg/h for all moisture contents, the cracking efficiency was between10 to 90 %, which implies that the kernel cracking efficiency increases with an increase in machine speed. However, it was observed that higher cracking efficiency was at the cost of higher kernel damage for all cracking speeds and feed rates, which is a problem. The kernel breakage ratio ranged from 1.040–7.85 for all feed rates and moisture contents. The kernel breakage ratio increased with moisture content and cracking speed but decreases with feed rate weight.

Author Biographies

Dare Ibiyeye, Federal College of Forestry

Lecturer

Department of Crop Production Technology

Oluwatoyin Olunloyo, Federal College of Forestry

Lecturer

Department of Crop Production Technology

Adeniyi Aderemi, Federal College of Forestry

Lecturer

Department of Agricultural Technology

Ileri-Oluwa Emmanuel, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria

Lecturer

Bio-Medicinal Research Centre

Abisayo Akala, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria

Senior Research Fellow

Biotechnology Department

Oluwaseun Owolola, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria

Lecturer

Department of Basic Science and General Studies

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Published

2022-02-28

How to Cite

Ibiyeye, D., Olunloyo, O., Aderemi, A., Emmanuel, I.-O., Akala, A., & Owolola, O. (2022). Design and development of a palm kernel nut cracking unit. Technology Audit and Production Reserves, 1(3(63), 30–44. https://doi.org/10.15587/2706-5448.2022.253931

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 3(63) (2022): Chemical engineering

Section

Food Production Technology: Reports on Research Projects

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Copyright (c) 2022 Dare Ibiyeye, Oluwatoyin Olunloyo, Adeniyi Aderemi, Ileri-Oluwa Emmanuel, Abisayo Akala, Oluwaseun Owolola

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