Abstract

In this study shelling of sunflower seed (Co 2 variety) was carried out in a centrifugal dehusker and the various crop and machine parameters were optimized by evaluating the performance of the centrifugal dehusker. The parameters studied were moisture content of the seed at 4 levels viz. 6.5, 9, 12 and 15 per cent (w.b.), peripheral speed of the impeller at 4 levels viz. 1700, 2000, 2300 and 2600 m/min., radius of curvature of the vanes at 4 levels viz 6. 8, 10 and 12 cm and the number of vanes in the impeller at 3 levels viz. 3, 4 and 5 number of vanes. The feed rate was maintained throughout the study as 60 kg hr-1. All the parameters chosen for the study were found to be significant and their interactions were also significant statistically. The maximum shelling efficiency was obtained as 87.72 per cent at a moisture content of 6.5 per cent (w.b.) of the seeds with 4 number of vanes in the impeller, 8 cm radius of curvature of the vanes in the impeller and at a peripheral speed of 2600 m/min. The shelling efficiency was almost same (87.64 per cent) with 5 number of vanes and 12 cm radius of curvature of the vanes for the above said mositure content of the seed and peripheral speed of the impeller.

Keywords: Shelling, Sun flower seed, Peripheral speed, Impeller