Performance evaluation of a motorized ginger rhizomes peeling machine

Abstract

A 5kg motorized Ginger rhizome (Zingiber Officinale Roscoe) peeling machine was designed, developed and tested. Three moisture contents (70%, 75% and 80% wb), three feed rates (54 kg/h, 68 kg/h and 73 kg/h) and three peeling speeds (230 rpm, 270 rpm and 300 rpm) were used for the performance evaluation of the machine. A 3 × 3 × 3 factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design (RCBD); replicated two times was used to study the effects and interactions of the three factors (moisture content, feed rates and peeling speed) on the performance parameters (peeling efficiency, peeling capacity and percent damage). Relationship between performance parameters and the influencing factors were determined using multilevel factorial design and response surface methodology for the graphical analyses. The study showed that peeling efficiency increased from 82.3% to 88.5% with an increase in moisture content from 70% to 80%, a decrease in feed rate from 73 kg/h to 54 kg/h and an increase in peeling speed from 230 rpm to 300 rpm. Peeling capacity increased from 2.4 kg/h to 11.64 kg/h with an increase in moisture content from 70% to 80%, a decrease in feed rate from 73 kg/h to 54 kg/h and an increase in peeling speed from 230 rpmto300 rpm. Percent damage increased from 6.3% to 14.4% with a decrease in moisture content from 80% to 70%, an increase in feed rate from 54 kg/h to 73 kg/h and an increase in peeling speed from 230 rpm to 300 rpm. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) result showed that the interaction of moisture content, feed rate and peeling speed had significant effect on peeling efficiency, peeling capacity and percent damage at p<0.05 level. For a maximum peeling efficiency, peeling capacity and minimum percent damage, an optimum moisture content of 75%, feed rate of 68 kg/h and peeling speed of 270 rpm were recommended for use.