Authors :
D. Lasisi; A.R. Nasirudeen
Volume/Issue :
Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 8 - August
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3TmGbDi
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/msy6yka7
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8311063
Abstract :
Sorghum is threshed mostly using traditional
method, whereby bunches of panicles are beaten against
hard elements. This method is slow and energy
consuming which often results in some losses due to the
grain being broken or buried in the earth and low
quality product. Machines have been developed to thresh
the grains mechanically but these machines have
complex features and are in most cases fragile, hence not
easily adaptable in developing countries. Threshing of
the grains require modern technology (machines) that
can be easily maintained and repaired for effective
utilization in underdeveloped and developing countries.
Hence, this study aimed at developing a simple machine
that will thresh sorghum efficiently so as to increase
productivity. The designed machine consists of hopper,
gasoline engine, shaft, bearing, v-belt, pulley and the
threshing unit. The volume of hopper, volume of
threshing drum, volume of threshing chamber, shaft
diameter, speed of machine, belt length, linear velocity of
belt, torque transmitted by shaft, bending moment,
power required to thresh and selected power were
obtained as 0.4582 m3
, 0.1648 m3
, 0.3879 m3
, 0.025 m,
708.0 rpm, 0.875 m, 7.20 ms-1
, 13.04 Nm, 64.98 Nm, 3.75
hp and 6.5 hp respectively.The performance indices of the
machine indicated that it could be used effectively by
small and medium scale processors to thresh sorghum
that would meet market demands and standards.
Keywords :
Design; Fabrication; Testing; Sorghum; Threshing; Machine
Sorghum is threshed mostly using traditional
method, whereby bunches of panicles are beaten against
hard elements. This method is slow and energy
consuming which often results in some losses due to the
grain being broken or buried in the earth and low
quality product. Machines have been developed to thresh
the grains mechanically but these machines have
complex features and are in most cases fragile, hence not
easily adaptable in developing countries. Threshing of
the grains require modern technology (machines) that
can be easily maintained and repaired for effective
utilization in underdeveloped and developing countries.
Hence, this study aimed at developing a simple machine
that will thresh sorghum efficiently so as to increase
productivity. The designed machine consists of hopper,
gasoline engine, shaft, bearing, v-belt, pulley and the
threshing unit. The volume of hopper, volume of
threshing drum, volume of threshing chamber, shaft
diameter, speed of machine, belt length, linear velocity of
belt, torque transmitted by shaft, bending moment,
power required to thresh and selected power were
obtained as 0.4582 m3
, 0.1648 m3
, 0.3879 m3
, 0.025 m,
708.0 rpm, 0.875 m, 7.20 ms-1
, 13.04 Nm, 64.98 Nm, 3.75
hp and 6.5 hp respectively.The performance indices of the
machine indicated that it could be used effectively by
small and medium scale processors to thresh sorghum
that would meet market demands and standards.
Keywords :
Design; Fabrication; Testing; Sorghum; Threshing; Machine
