PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A DOUBLE ACTION SELF-FED (DASF)CASSAVA PEELING MACHINE

Abstract

The performance evaluation of a Double Action Self-Fed (DASF) cassava peel ing machine was carried out at the Federal University of Technology, Akure. The aim was 10 investigate the effects of size of tuber (rJ» and speeds of rotary auger and peeling brush (V) on the performance ofthe machine. Machine and crop parameters such as size of tubers and speeds of operation were varied in order to determine their effect on the peel ing process. A 10 kg weight of cassava was fed into the inlet hopper. The speeds of the auger and the rotary brush. and time taken for peeling were recorded. The weight of peeled tubers and the peel weight (plus tuber portion which was removed together with peel). Each experiment was replicated five times. Result showed that minimum peeling efficiency of 20% was observed in class I tubers of length between 15-20 ern, whereas a maximum of90% was observed in class III tubers of length between 31-40 cm at the auger:brush speed ratio 1000: 1400. Tuber size significantly influence peeling efficiency and peel retention at probability levels of 0.001 and 0.003, respectively. The Least Significant Difference (LSD) test revealed that peel retention was significantly different between classes I and III, and classes II of length between 21-30 em and III. Models fitted, to explore the individual and combined effects of tuber size and speed on the machine performance. showed that tuber size alone explained about 75%, 8% and 67% of the variations in the efficiency, tuber loss and peel retention, respectively. Furthermore, the multiple linear regression models combining both variables (tuber size and speed) significantly influence machine performance with Rl of 0.945 for efficiency and 0.941 for peel retention. The economic analysis of DASF revealed that about N 1900 could be saved per ton of cassava over manual peeling. This study provides useful information for design modifications. which would improve the performance of automated peelers.