DEVELOPMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF PALM NUT CRACKING AND SEPARATING MACHINE

Abstract

This study presents a locally manufactured palm kernel cracking and separating machine designed to address the challenges associated with traditional palm kernel cracking procedures, including discomfort, tension, labor intensity, time consumption, unnecessary costs, and complexity. The machine, equipped with a 3hp electric motor operating at a shaft speed of 1430rpm, demonstrated efficient performance by cracking 1kg of palm nuts in an average of 47.58 seconds. The palm nuts are divided into three categories: uncracked, partially cracked, and cracked, with average weights of 0.06kg, 0.08kg, and 0.85kg, respectively. Among the cracked palm nuts, unbroken kernels weighed 0.83kg, and broken kernels weighed 0.02kg. The machine attained a throughput capacity of 76kg/hr and a cracking efficiency of 85.32%. The utilization of MATLAB resulted in the creation of a predictive model for optimal cracking efficiency. This model revealed that 1kg of palm kernels fed into the machine yielded 0.88kg of broken palm nuts, 0.10kg of separated shells, 0.02kg of fibrous material, and an overall cracking efficiency of 88%. Compared to traditional manual cracking methods, this mechanized system provides a faster, less labor-intensive, and more productive method of palm kernel cracking.