Fabrication and performance evaluation of a Blade-Type Coconut Dehusking Machine
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Date
2024
Authors
Anie Pearl G. Espanola
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Abstract
Coconut production is vital to the livelihoods of many communities in the Philippines, with dehusking being a crucial labor-intensive process. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a blade-type coconut dehusking machine designed for small-scale farms, utilizing locally available materials and constructed in local manufacturing shops. The machine features nine main components, including a deshusking chamber, rollers and an electric motor. Performance was tested on newly harvested mature coconuts using three sprocket configurations (12 teeth, and 24 teeth), each tested in 45 runs to analyze dehusking time, capacity, efficiency and coconut damage.
Results indicated that dehusking time was significantly influenced by sprocket teeth numbers, with 12 teeth (130 rpm) showing the fastest dehusking time. However, both 12 teeth and 24 teeth configurations demonstrated higher capacities (104 pcs/hr ad 81 pcs/hr, respectively) compared to the 19 teeth configuration (79 pcs/hr). Efficiency analysis revealed no significant difference between 12 teeth and 24 teeth configurations (66.67% and 73.33%, respectively), both outperforming the 19 teeth configuration (*53.33%). The 24 teeth configuration resulted in the lowest coconut damage (0%), while the 12 teeth and 19 teeth configurations showed higher damage rates (13.33%).
Power consumption analysis showed the 12 teeth configuration consumed 1.98 KW-hr without load and 2.156 kW-hr with load. The 19 teeth configuration consumed 2.2 kW-hr both without and with load, while the 24 teeth configuration consumed 2.2 kW-hr without load and 2.464 kW-hr with load. Economic analysis indicated a break-even point at 24,872 pcs/year, net income of Php 75,055/year and a payback period of 1 year, demonstrating the machine's economic viability. these findings suggests that the developed dehusking machine offers a practical and efficient solution for small-scale coconut farmers, enhancing productivity and reducing labor costs in rural agricultural settings.