Evaluation of a Helix Type Potato Grader

Authors

  • Marvin T. Valentin Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Engineering, Central Luzon State University, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija
  • Elmar M. Villota Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Engineering, Central Luzon State University, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija
  • Vitaliana U. Malamug Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Engineering, Central Luzon State University, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija
  • Ireneo C. Agulto Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Engineering, Central Luzon State University, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22137/ijst.2016.v1n1.05

Abstract

Uniformly graded tubers command a premium price in the market over the ungraded one. Likewise, in the potato processing industry graded tubers promote ease of handling resulting to an increased efficiency of the processing line.  This study presents the evaluation of the performance of a fabricated potato grader that uses a rotating helix of increasing gaps as a medium of gradation. Response variables are the grading system efficiency in percent, capacity in kg/hr, percentage of damaged tubers and power consumption. These were evaluated on the speed of the grading unit in RPM and inclination of the grading unit in degrees.   Results of the evaluation showed that the grader had its optimum performance when operated at 15 RPM and inclination of 10 degrees giving a system efficiency of 92.56%, capacity of 441.58 kg/hr, less damaged tubers of 1.83% and a low power consumption of 22.6 W-hr. The cost of the grader is P31, 000.00 with a break-even quantity of 23 tons of tubers/year. The capacity of the device can be increased by considering a larger diameter of the grading unit.

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Published

2016-08-22

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2016): CLSU International Journal of Science and Technology

Section

Articles