Design and Performance Assessment of a Mechanized Palm Fruit Stripper  

Godson Chijioke Akaninwor¹, Imereoma Frank Uchendu², Gershon Nna³

^1,2,3 Lecturer, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Palm fruit stripping, a crucial step in palm oil production, remains a labor-intensive and time-consuming process, particularly for small-scale producers. Traditional manual stripping methods result in low efficiency, high labor costs, and significant post-harvest losses, hindering the overall productivity and profitability of palm oil production. The lack of efficient and reliable mechanized stripping technologies has contributed to these challenges, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to improve stripping efficiency, reduce labor requirements, and enhance the quality of palm fruits for oil extraction. This paper presents the design, development, and performance evaluation of a mechanized palm fruit stripper, optimized for fruit density, size, and bunch compactness. The machine’s key components, including the feed chute, stripping shaft, and chamber geometry, were designed based on empirical evaluations of palm fruit characteristics. Powered by a 2.23kW electric motor via a pulley system, the stripper achieved an average stripping efficiency of 98.91% and an output capacity of 0.0707kg/s. The machine’s feed rate ranged from 341.4kg/hr to 360.02kg/hr, with a maximum output rate of 275.78kg/hr. Results demonstrate the stripper’s potential for efficient and reliable palm fruit processing, addressing labor-intensive stripping challenges in small-scale palm oil production. The study’s findings provide valuable insights for optimizing mechanized stripping technologies in palm fruit harvesting and processing.     

Keywords: Palm fruit, Mechanized, Efficiency, Reliability, Stripper, Design, Performance, Assessment

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