Development and Performance Evaluation of a Three Rollers Acha (Digitaria exilis) Dehusking Machine

Abstract

In this study, a three rollers Acha-dehusking machine was designed, constructed and tested. The machine has the following units - feeding, processing and separating unit. The materials used for the fabrication were selected locally based on the design considerations and design analysis of the machine components. The three rollers Acha-dehusking machine which cost ₦52 300 at the time of its fabrication was finally assembled and evaluated. The Acha paddy fed through the hopper was made to pass through two roll gaps between fixed and adjustable rollers rotating in opposite direction at a speed ratio of 1.5:1 where it was abraded and dehusked. The mixture of the dehusked grain and the husk were separated by current of air blown from the winnowing fan in the separating unit. The dehusked grains, husk and the undehusked grains were separated and weighed. From the outcome of the test, the efficiency and the output of the machine were found to be 69.6% and 22.14Kg/hr respectively.