Development Of An Improved Pepper Grinding Machine Using Stainless Steel

Abstract

A prototype of a new improved pepper grinding machine was designed using locally available materials to solve the problem of metal contamination, corrosion effect from machine parts and the manual means of applying water among other problems associated with the conventional pepper grinding machines that are used in Nigeria. It is designed to reduce noise pollution and to enhance the hygienic processing of pepper as well as individual entrepreneur for rendering milling services in the neighborhood and market place thereby creating employment for Nigerians. Food crops like tomatoes, cowpeas, maize and soybeans can also be milled using the machine. The machine consists of a hopper, water tank, 2hp electric motor, frame, shaft, bearing, grinding plate, the driving and driven pullets, v- belt, water sprinkler, discharge chute and water tap. The peppers are meant to be loaded into the hopper and to be collected through the discharge chute. The water from the water tank is being regulated by the tap and sprinkled on the pepper through the perforated pipe at interval depending on the speed of the machine. The average grinding capacity and grinding efficiency were determined as 2kg, 3kg, 4kg, 5kg, 6kg and 85% respectively. There was a significant difference (p< 0.05) between the grinding capacity and efficiency of the machine with water sprinkler and that of manual watering. The grinding capacity and efficiency of the machine with water sprinkler was higher when compared to the grinding capacity and efficiency of manual watering. The machine was observed to perform effectively and therefore, recommended for domestic and commercial use by the grinders in the market place.