Optimasation of Mechanical Cassava Peeling System Parameters

Abstract

This study focused on investigations of effects of mechanical parameters (peeling speed, cutter length) and handling parameter (cassava tuber length) of a cassava peeling machines on the machine output (peeling and recovery efficiencies) with the view of optimizing the parameters. The serious issues of existing techniques of peeling cassava are moderately low peeling and recovery efficiencies because of the irregular shape and size of cassava tubers. The results of the trial of the machine utilizing the cassava tubers revealed that all the parameters have significant effects on the peeling and recovery efficiencies of the machine. The cutter length had a more significant impact on the peeling and recovery efficiencies. Maximum values of 83.5 % and 97.2% for peeling and recovery efficiencies respectively, with an attractive quality of 0.864 were achieved from peeling cassava tuber of 50 mm length with cutter length of 2 mm at a speed of 328 rpm. The investigation’s discoveries give the standard machine input parameters which are equipped for improving quality, peeling and recovery efficiencies of a mechanical cassava peeling system.