Studies on Development of Concentric Drum, Brush Type Ginger Peeler

Abstract

inger peeler with a capacity to peel 7 kg per batch was developed. The nylon bristles to be used for peeling were optimized in another experimental setup using a semi mechanical ginger peeler. Nylon bristles of length 25 mm and thickness 0.7 mm were optimized for fixing in the inner wooden drum of the developed mechanical ginger peeler. Experiments on peeling ginger in a concentric drum brush type ginger peeler were conducted at varying drum loads (5, 6 and 7 kg) for various speeds of inner drum (35, 40 and 45 rpm), outer drum speeds of (20 and 25 rpm) and for varying peeling durations (5, 10 and 15 min). The optimum operating conditions for peeling ginger were obtained at drum load of 7 kg, for inner drum speed of 45 rpm, outer drum speed of 20 rpm and for the peeling duration of 15 min. The peeling efficiency was 61 % and the corresponding material loss was 5.33 %.