Design and Fabrication of a Motorized Castor (Ricinus communis L.) Seed Decorticator

Abstract

A motorized castor (Ricinus communis L.) seed decorticating machine was designed, fabricated and evaluated for performance. The motorized castor (Ricinus communis L.) seed decorticating machine consists of mainframe, hopper, shelling drum, aluminum spikes, screen, bearings, electric motor, pulley, belt, fan, grains outlet and chaff outlet. The machine is powered by a single-phase, five horse-power (5hp) electric motor. The performance of the machine was evaluated by varying three factors (feed rate, machine speed and moisture content) at three levels each using design expert software version 6.08 for the analysis. The parameters under investigation were shelling capacity and shelling efficiency. The machine has a maximum shelling efficiency of 94.5% at a feed rate, machine speed and moisture content of 1.5Kg, 1000rpm and 6%wb respectively. The maximum shelling capacity of the machine was 500.1kg/h obtained at a feed rate, machine speed and moisture content of 2Kg, 900rpm and 6%wb respectively. The machine is therefore observed to perform best at a feed rate, speed and moisture content of 2Kg, 900rpm and 6%wb respectively with a shelling capacity and shelling efficiency of 500.1Kg/h, 92.6% respectively. The material used for the fabrication of the machine were locally sourced and the total cost of the machine is one hundred and sixty-seven thousand, four hundred and fifty naira only (₦167, 450.00).