Theoretical analysis of tuber movement during mechanical peeling of cassava

Abstract

Cassava Peeling has been identified as the only un-mechanized unit operation in cassava production which has constituted global challenge in twenty-first century despite an ever-increasing demand for the crop. As at today, cassava peeling is still largely carried out manually, it makes the process to be slow, labour intensive, arduous in nature, and low productivity. This research work aimed to analyse and model tuber movement during mechanical peeling. Preliminary experiment was carried out on newly harvested tubers graded into sizes and sliced at 50 to 100 mm using peeling machine developed earlier on the basis of this principle. The data collected were used to validate the model. Model developed adequately analyses the concept of tuber movement during peeling and also predicts peel shear stress, 6.142 N/mm 2 and effective peeling time, 9.5-12.0 s at velocity of conveyance, 1-5 m/s. This is therefore considered as reliable tool for further development and improvement of cassava peeling system.