PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A PERFORATED CYLINDER TYPE CASSAVA PEELING MACHINE

Abstract

Peeling of cassava tuber at all levels is still largely carried out manually; however, this study assessed the performance of a perforated cylinder type cassava peeling machine and developed an empirical model to predict the performance of the machine. The data of physical and mechanical properties of five varieties of cassava tubers grown in Niger State were used in the design of the machine. The machine was evaluated using cassava variety - TSM 82/00661 obtained from Kure Ultra modern market, Minna, Niger State. The performance of the machine was based on the peeling efficiency and tuber flesh loss using machine speed range of 370, 570 and 770 rpm, applied load of 5, 8, 11, 14 and 17 N. The peeling efficiency increased with increase in speed and load applied on tuber irrespective of the category of tuber diameter used. The highest peeling efficiency of 69.93 % was obtained at speed of 770 rpm, load of 17 N and tuber diameters 11 - 40 mm, 41 - 70 mm and 71 - 100 mm. The percentage of tuber flesh loss was 3.01 4.05 %. The developed models are adequate and valid between the predicted and the observed values. The experimental variables (speed and load) fit into the models generated with higher coefficients of determination (R2 = 81.87 %, R2adj = 75.77 %, R2 pred = 69.16 %).