Development and performance test of a water filter for Sapindus mukorossi pericarps after extraction

Abstract

In order to address the problems such as low efficiency, sticky and slippery workshop floor, and waste of saponin caused by artificial leaching of Sapindus mukorossi pericarps after extraction, a new water filter for the S. mukorossi pericarp after extraction was introduced. The study proposed a two-way rotation as the core concept of the new device structure. To verify the feasibility of the design scheme, a theoretical analysis and a kinematics analysis of water filtering process were carried out. This study also used the prototype made with additive manufacturing to execute the performance test according to the functional requirements. The analyses and test results showed that the device structure was simple, reliable and practical. In addition, the design of agitating blades with an axial drift angle α < 90° reduced the probability of pericarps build-up. Moreover, the average water filtration rate of the device could reach 45.83% and the average discharge rate could reach over 85%, both meeting the design requirements. Therefore, the device can not only realize the separation of the mixture of S. mukorossi pericarps and saponin, and the reuse of the mixture of saponin, but also improve the extraction rate of S. mukorossi saponin, which makes it easier to carry out subsequent drying process and promotes the mechanization of S. mukorossi processing industry.