MANUFACTURE AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A LOCAL THRESHING AND CLEANING MACHINE SUITS MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS

Abstract

Experiments were carried out to manufacture and evaluate the performance of a threshing and cleaning machine suitable for medicinal and aromatic plants (Anise, Fennel and coriander crops). The performance of the manufactured machine was studied under the following parameters: four different drum speeds, four different concave clearances and four different feed rates. The performance of the manufactured machine was evaluated taking into consideration the following indicators: total seed losses, overall machine efficiency, machine productivity, required power, energy requirements and criterion cost. The experimental results reveal that total seed losses as well as criterion costs were minimum while overall machine efficiency was maximum under the following conditions: • Operate the manufactured machine at a drum speed of about 450 rpm for anise and fennel crops, and 400 rpm for coriander crop. • Operate the manufactured machine at a concave clearance of about 9 mm for anise and fennel crops, and 10 mm for coriander crop. • Adjust the feed rates at 1.25, 1.35 and 1.50 Mg/h for anise, fennel and coriander crops respectively.