Abstract
Cassava processing requires peeling, which is mainly done manually and not effective for large scale processing, hence, the need to mechanise the peeling process. A motorized cassava peeler with four drum and disc linings (concrete, metal, rubber and wood) was designed. The prototype was tested at three disc speeds; (250, 350 and 500 rpm) to determine peeling capacity, peel removal efficiency, and flesh loss. The capacity for the concrete, metal, rubber and wooden discs increased with increased speed from 180-360, 360-1440, 120-540 and 80-144 kg/h, for speeds 250-500 rpm, respectively. Metal and concrete discs recorded the highest peel removal efficiencies of 75.97 and 78.33%, respectively at 350 rpm. The average flesh loss for concrete, metal and rubber discs increased with increasing speeds from 19.66-26.57, 20.94-34.83% and 7.98-31.06%, respectively for 250-500 rpm speeds. The wooden disc on the other hand had no regular pattern with highest value of flesh loss of 12.95% at 500 rpm. Regarding optimum performance, rubber and concrete discs were better, comparing peel removal efficiency and percent flesh loss for all speeds. The study shows the rotating disc linings had more effect on peeling than the drum linings. Key words: Cassava, lining material, disc material, evaluation, peeling quality index.
Highlights
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a starchy root crop, with its edible parts being the roots and the leaves (Ferraro et al, 2016)
The two prototype motorized cassava peelers having a batch loading weight of 6 kg were constructed at the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, KNUST workshop
The cassava used for the evaluation was purchased freshly after harvest from the Ejisu market
Summary
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a starchy root crop, with its edible parts being the roots and the leaves (Ferraro et al, 2016). The roots are staple food, which is the main source of carbohydrate and energy for the approximately 800 million people living in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world (FAO, 2013; Morgan and Choct, 2016). Cassava is a primary food security crop in Africa due to its resistance to drought and plant disease, flexible planting and harvesting cycles. It is cultivated in small farms and often in fields which are left aside as fallow or marginal areas in Africa (Angelucci, 2013). Cassava is one of the priority staple crops as defined in FASDEP II
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