A Shelling Machine for Inca Peanuts

Inca peanut is a new economic crop with increasing popularity across Thailand, both for plantation and processing. It is also in high demand in the AEC and global markets. Shelling is an important step in the preparation of the seeds processing. However, due to the limitation of the shapes and the fact that the seeds have three layers, the shelling process is often a major impediment of the production process. Therefore, this research aims at designing and constructing a shelling machine for Inca peanuts, which are brown seeds. The study comprises 3 parts: a study of the physical properties, the design and construction, and a performance test for the shelling machine. The shelling machine was made up of 2 primary parts, which were the rotary feeder and the shelling set. The rotary feeder had a diameter of 100 mm. with a length of 120 mm. and had 4 fin-like components. The shelling set had a diameter of 320 mm. with a ball length of 430 mm. There were 4 straps placed at a 90-degree angle adjacent to the radius. The test revealed that the shelling works at a shaft speed of 270 rpm. The clearance of 20 mm. with the outlet of 2.0×8.0 cm. This was an appropriate condition for shelling with an average shelling efficiency percentage of 81.59 %. Percentage of Whole nut at 62.23 %; Percentage of broken nut at 3.26 %; Percentage of broken kernel at 4.74 %, and Percentage of unshelled seeds at 29.77 %. The working capacity was 70.22 kg/hr.