SOME MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HULLED PEANUTS AND KERNELS

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate some mechanical properties for two different varieties of peanuts, namely: Ismailia1 “Is1” and Giza5 “G5”such as shelling force, terminal velocities of shells and kernels, repose and friction angles for two different levels of moisture content averages of 16 and 3.5 % dry basis. Empirical equations based on a large numberof measurements of peanuts shelling force and void space parameter (space between hull and kernel) were suggested. The force required for peanuts shelling ranged between 0.323-0.581 N and 0.434-0.467 N for Is1 and G5 respectively. During chute conveying , inclination angle should exceed 35.5, 37o for Is1 and G5 varieties at average moisture content of 16%db and 31, 32o at average moisture content range of 3.5 %db for both tested varieties respectively. The terminal velocities of half shell to very small shell were 0.5-10.3 m/s and 9.5-17.8 m/s for kernels of both varieties tested. So, a vertical air stream of 9.8 and 9.9 m/s is sufficient to separate 98.5 and 96.5 % of peanuts shells, fine particles and dust from peanuts kernels for both studied varieties. The main objective of the present study is to evaluate some mechanical properties of two different Egyptian verities that affect design and development of handling, storage, shelling and cleaning machines.