PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION OF GROUNDNUT SHELLING USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

This study evaluated the influence of drum speed, moisture content, and feed rate on the performance indices of groundnut sheller using Ex-Dakar groundnut variety. Response surface methodology was used to study the influence of input variables and optimize the processing conditions. The developed second-order polynomial model adequately described the performance responses, including output capacity, shelling and cleaning efficiencies, and kernel damage. The input variables indicated significant influences on performance responses. The optimized processing variables for the responses were drum speed of 210 rpm, moisture content of 8%, and feed rate of 350 kg.h(-1). The optimum responses obtained were output capacity of 302.52 kg.h(-1), shelling efficiency of 97.61%, cleaning efficiency of 53.16%, and kernel damage of 4.04%. These performance responses were validated experimentally and were close to the observed results.