Palm kernel and shell separator

Based on relevant physical properties of palm kernels and shells, a separator was designed to remove the palm kernels from the shells. The separator has two sections: one to remove and collect the shells; and a second to collect the kernels. The separator is power-driven and can reciprocate at three different crank speeds of 93, 120 and 200 min(-1) and five crank radii of 20, 25, 35, 40 and 45 mm. At the crank speed of 93 min(-1) and crank radius of 35 mm, kernel purity was 82%, kernel recovery 86.2% and separation efficiency 82.1%. The capacity of the separator is 446 kg h(-1) against a manual hand-picking rate of 60 kg h(-1) that characterize the dry method of separation in local palm kernel oil mills in Nigeria. (C) 2002 Silsoe Research Institute.