Development of a Mechanical Palm Fruit Stripper for Small-Scale Processors
This project involves design and fabrication of a mechanical palm fruit stripper to replace manual stripping in small-scale palm oil processing.
Year
2024
Chapters
5
Views
158
Pages
81
Abstract Preview
Manual stripping of palm fruits is labor-intensive and causes injuries. This project developed a mechanical palm fruit stripper for small-scale processors. The stripper used rotating beater bars in a cylindrical drum (600mm diameter, 800mm length) powered by a 5HP diesel engine. Palm fruit bunches were fed through a hopper and stripped fruits collected below while empty bunches were ejected. Performance testing showed stripping efficiency of 96%, fruit damage of 2.5%, and throughput of 1.2 tons of bunches per hour. Diesel consumption was 1.5 L/hour. Labor requirement reduced by 85% compared to manual stripping. Fabrication cost was N380,000 with payback period of one processing season for commercial operations. The machine improves processing efficiency and worker safety.
Research Objectives
- 1To design a mechanical palm fruit stripper
- 2To fabricate the machine using local materials
- 3To evaluate stripping performance
- 4To assess economic viability for small-scale processors
Suggested Methodology
Design, fabrication, and performance testing with palm fruit bunches
Chapter Breakdown
Introduction
Background, problem statement, objectives, scope, and significance
Literature Review
Related studies, concepts, theories, and empirical review
Methodology
Research design, population, sampling, instruments, and analysis method
Analysis
Data presentation, interpretation, tables, and discussion
Conclusion
Summary, conclusion, recommendations, and references
Keywords
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