DefinePK

Research Objective

To design, develop, and evaluate the performance of a machine for separating and grading psyllium (ispaghol) husk from its seed core, investigating the effect of varying feed rate (disk rotational speed) and airflow speed on husk removal percentage and observing the variation of husk removal percentage with varying clearance.

Methodology

The study involved the design and development of a psyllium husk separator cum grader. The research was conducted at the Agricultural Engineering Institute (AEI), National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), Islamabad, Pakistan. The methodology included characterizing the physical and mechanical properties of Ispaghol seeds, designing and developing the equipment prototype using CAD software, and evaluating its performance through experiments. Performance evaluation involved testing the machine at three different drum speeds (80, 110, and 140 rpm) and three blower air speeds (8, 9, and 10 m/s).

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD
    A[Characterize Ispaghol Seed Properties] --> B[Design and Develop Prototype Machine];
    B --> C[Assemble Prototype];
    C --> D[Calibrate Machine Components];
    D --> E[Conduct Performance Evaluation Experiments];
    E --> F[Collect and Analyze Data];
    F --> G[Determine Optimal Operating Conditions];
    G --> H[Evaluate Machine Effectiveness and Efficiency];
    H --> I[Draw Conclusions and Recommendations];                    

Discussion

The developed machine addresses the lack of mechanized post-harvest processing facilities for Ispaghol in Pakistan, which currently relies on time-consuming and labor-intensive manual methods that reduce husk quality and quantity. The study highlights the importance of optimizing operational parameters like drum speed and air speed to achieve a balance between husk separation efficiency and product purity. The findings are consistent with previous research on air classification and cyclone separation, emphasizing the critical role of airflow and rotational speed.

Key Findings

The machine performed best at a drum speed of 110 rpm and a blower air speed of 9 m/s, achieving 98% husk separation with a husk free of core and impurities. At 110 rpm drum speed and 10 m/s air speed, husk separation reached 99.2%, but some seed cores were mixed with the husk. The machine can process 160 kg of de-husked seed per hour, saving 60-70% time and 50% labor cost compared to manual methods.

Conclusion

The developed psyllium husk separator cum grader is an effective and efficient machine for separating and grading Ispaghol husk. Its commercialization is crucial for enhancing productivity, maintaining quality, increasing exports, and contributing to a better economy. The machine offers significant improvements over traditional methods in terms of speed, labor cost, and product quality.

Fact Check

1. Processing Capability: The machine can process 160 kg of de-husked seed in 1 hour. (Confirmed in Abstract)
2. Time and Cost Savings: The machine can save 60-70% time and 50% labor cost compared to manual methods. (Confirmed in Abstract)
3. Optimal Performance Conditions: The machine performed better at a circular centrifugal spreader speed of 110 rpm and blower air speed of 9 m/s, achieving 98% husk separation. (Confirmed in Abstract and Results section)

Mind Map