Influence of physical properties of Jatropha curcas L. seeds on shelling performance using a modified disc mill

摘要: Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effect physical characteristics different size classes J. curcas seeds on shelling performance using a modified disc mill. were grouped into four sieves with hole diameters 8, 9, 10 and 12 mm. Length, breadth, width, arithmetic geometric diameter, bulk solid density, surface area significantly at p ≤ 0.01. No significant differences found in terms sphericity moisture content. Smaller seed lead higher porosity percentage shells. Rupture force examined along length (L), width (W), breadth (B) axes. A prototype mill re-engineered optimized. preferential orientation passing vertical direction. Optimum setting rotational speed aperture between discs strongly related breadth. As output fractions, dust, shells, fragmented kernels full could be separated pneumatically. Meanwhile, partially-shelled unshelled only manually by visual inspection. Under optimum conditions, efficiency for determined as 81.0, 83.5, 83.7, 84.6%, respectively. Compared results from unsorted seeds, pre-sorting reduced amount maximum capacity machine estimated 131.5 kg/h which resulted lowest energy consumption 0.002 kWh/kg.