Optimization of Pertinent Variables for Threshing of Sesame Crop using a Test Rig

Abstract

Background: The traditional methods of threshing operations are most time consuming, energy intensive, labour intensive, drudgery prone and uneconomical. The development of mechanical sesame thresher has clearly an edge over conventional methods and reduces the drudgery of work to a great extent. Methods: The pertinent variables that influence the development of sesame thresher were identified and levels of variables were selected. The interactive effect of selected levels of variables viz., peripheral velocity of the threshing cylinder (7.9, 11.0 and 14.1 ms-1), concave clearance (10, 15 and 20 mm), type of threshing cylinder (wire loop, spike tooth and rasp bar) and moisture content of harvested sesame capsule 21.4, 16.8 and 15.1 per cent moisture content (d.b) was investigated on threshing efficiency, cleaning efficiency and per cent damage caused to the threshed sesame grains using an experimental sesame thresher test rig under laboratory condition. Result: Threshing effectiveness of experimental sesame thresher was found to be affected significantly by moisture content of harvested sesame capsule followed by type of threshing cylinder, peripheral velocity of threshing cylinder and concave clearance. The combination level of 11.0 ms-1 peripheral velocity of threshing cylinder, 15 mm concave clearance, spike tooth type cylinder and 16.8 per cent (d.b) moisture content of harvested sesame capsule which yielded the maximum threshing efficiency of 99.0 per cent, maximum cleaning efficiency of 99.4 per cent and minimum per cent visible damage to threshed sesame grains of 0.79, is optimized for the sesame thresher.