Title: Effect of shell diameter and shell thickness on coconut-shell-halving force

Authors: Abi Varghese; Jippu Jacob

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, Koovapally, Kanjirapally, Kottayam, Kerala, 686 518, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, Koovapally, Kanjirapally, Kottayam, Kerala, 686 518, India

Abstract: Design of any product is primarily based on the characteristics of various parameters that will be having direct influence on their functionality. The aim of this study is to understand the influence of physical parameters of coconuts, viz. shell diameter and shell thickness on the shell halving force, so that proper designing and development of an efficient energy efficient shell-splitting tool can be done. In line with this objective, experimental investigations have been carried out on 50 green and 50 dry fully matured coconuts to measure force needed in compression for rupturing the shell equatorially. The experimentations have been carried out using a Universal Testing Machine. Results suggest a negative correlation between shell diameter and shell halving force. However, influence of shell thickness on shell halving force has been found to be less significant. Combined analysis of the results suggests that coconuts having large shell diameter and small thickness require lower shell halving force.

Keywords: coconut; shell-halving force; shell diameter; shell thickness; shell-rupture force.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2020.110423

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2020 Vol.7 No.3, pp.217 - 228

Accepted: 16 Jun 2020
Published online: 19 Oct 2020 *

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