Design, Fabrication, and Optimization of Jatropha Sheller

• Published in: An international journal of optimization and control Vol. 2; no. 2; pp. 113 - 127
• Main Authors: TING, Richard P., CASAS, Ed Vidona, PERALTA, Engelbert K., ELAURIA, Jessie C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Balikesir Balikesir University, Faculty of Engineering Department of Industrial Engineering 01.01.2012; Balikesir University
• Subjects: Bulk density; Cylinders; Design; Design optimization; Energy consumption; Energy recovery; Energy utilization; Extrusion; Fabrication; Hogs; Jatropha; Mainframes; Moisture content; Oil recovery; Optimization; Response surface; Sheller; Utilization
• ISSN: 2146-0957; 2146-5703
• DOI: 10.11121/ijocta.01.2012.0075

A jatropha sheller was designed, fabricated, and optimized consisting of mainframe, rotary cylinder, stationary cylinder, transmission system powered by 1kW variable speed electric motor with feasibility of manual operation. Performance evaluation considered moisture content, clearance, and roller speed as independent parameters while the responses comprised of recovery, bulk density factor, shelling capacity, energy utilization of sheller, whole kernel recovery, oil recovery, and energy utilization by extruder. Moisture contents from 9.5 to 16.5%wb failed to affect the response variables. The clearance affected the response variables except energy utilization of the extruder. The roller speed affected shelling capacity, whole kernel recovery, and energy utilization of the extruder. Optimization of shelling and extrusion operations resulted in operating conditions of 9.5%wb moisture content, clearance of 6 mm, and a roller speed of 750 rpm with acceptable quality of shelled kernels.