Physico-Aerodynamic Properties of Dried Arecanut Fruit and Kernel Influencing Kernel and Husk Separation

Abstract

In the study, the physical and aerodynamic properties of arecanut fruits and kernels were determined at a moisture content of 11.2 per cent (wet basis). The mean of major diameter, intermediate diameter, minor diameter and geometric mean diameter of arecanut fruits were 48.1, 38.4, 32.2 and 37.5 mm, respectively. The mean of major diameter, intermediate diameter, minor diameter and geometric mean diameter of arecanut kernels were 22.7, 19.7, 19.2 and 19.0 mm, respectively. Mean values for sphericity and surface area for fruits were 78.25% and 4446.7 mm² and for kernels 87.31% and 1238.18 mm², respectively. The true density, bulk density and porosity for fruits were 0.5 g cc^-1, 270.4 g cc^-1 and 46% and for kernel 1.1 g cc^-1, 735.31 kg m^-3 and 66% respectively. The mean angle of repose of arecanut fruits and kernels were 35.6^o and 32.2^o. The mean terminal velocity of arecanut husk and kernel were 7.35 and 20.65 m s^-1, respectively. These findings are very useful for design of processing machines viz sorting, separation, grading, grinding, drying as well as extraction.