Development and Performance Evaluation of Small-Scale Palm Kernel Cracker

Abstract:

Cracking of palm kernel is a common process in order to separate the palm seeds from the kernel. Though, the palm kernel has been cracking with the aid of stone, ever since, due to the technological advancement there has been various palm kernel cracker machine on which there has been an improvement on them from time to time. It was observed that most people engage in palm kernels cracking were rural dweller, even some that are living in urban city are facing with incessant supply of electricity, therefore there should be a means of addressing the aforementioned shortcomings. This work aimed at producing a portable palm kernel cracker machine powered by gasoline motor with easy mobility that will reduce cracking time and human energy from local materials. The machine has main components: hopper, cracking chamber, bearing cover, frame assembly and puller. The Palm kernel nuts are mechanically cracked with the aid of centrifugal rotating three arms hammer that beats the Palm kernel from the seed. The machine optimum performance gave a throughput capacity of 401.4 kg/hr, cracking efficiency of 95.6%, split losses of 9.3% and uncracked losses of 6.2%. With the aforementioned capacity of the machine, the associated problems and difficulties in the traditional method will be culminated. With these attributes, this machine is suitable for both small and medium scale processors.