Design, Construction and Performance Evaluation of a Melon Seeds Sheller

Abstract

Melon seed is an important oil seed crop that serves numerous food purposes. Shelling of this crop is vital, prior to its vast applications. To address the challenges associated with shelling melon, a design for shelling melon seeds on a small scale was presented and evaluated. Parameters evaluated include shelling efficiency, percentage seed shelled and damaged, throughput and machine capacity. The machine was constructed using locally available materials and consists of a hopper, frame, shelling and cleaning unit, chutes and prime mover. Shelling operation was carried using melon seeds of three different moisture contents (6.99, 11.90 and 18.32%) and at different shelling speeds of 2500 and 1500 rpm, while performance evaluation were evaluated. Results obtained showed that shelling speed of 1500 rpm and moisture content of 18.32% has the best shelling efficiency of 76.30% and least percentage seed damage of 22.60%, compared to shelling speed of 2500 rpm and seed moisture content of 6.99%, which had a shelling efficiency of 70.0% and percentage seed damage of 68.10%. Shelling speeds of the machine and seed moisture content of melon affects the rate, efficiency and percentage seed damage. The machine and throughput capacity of the equipment are 7.95 and 9.56 kg/h, respectively.This design and set of conditions selected were the most preferred because of the low cost, rapid operation, lesser seed damage and minimal human energy expenditure. The melon seed sheller is user friendly, does not require skilled labor and independent from any central electric power supply. The equipment design was found suitable for rural development.