Design, construction, and performance evaluation of an innovative cassava peeling machine

Abstract

Postharvest processing of cassava requires peeling as a unit operation, and it has been well documented that peeling is a major challenge of cassava processing. This study presents a recently developed cassava peeling machine made from locally available engineering materials. The machine has a capacity of 8 tonnes/day with the dual role of peeling and recycling of fruit water used in the peeling process for washing/mild pretreatment. The peeling machine utilizes an abrasive peeling surface inscribed with indented 1.2 mm stainless steel of 770 mm height with 2,450 mm diameter, a concrete based cavity, fruit water recovery tank, water pump, and the transmission system. The configuration resulted in careful removal of the tuber peels achieving > 90 per cent flesh recovery at an average rotational speed of 1,600 rpm < Nt <2,600 rpm. The average peeling efficiency of the machine was 58.6–85.75 per cent depending on the maturity, age, and variety of cassava. The cost of a single unit in Nigeria was estimated at US$1,230.