Modeling and optimization of finger millet pearling process by using RSM

Abstract

Finger millet pearling process involves so many drudgery prone operations that specify the need for the development of finger millet pearling drum. The performance of pearling drum depends on its operational parameters. Therefore, this study aims to optimize the operational parameters of the pearling drum such as drum speed, concave clearance and pearling sieve size to obtain maximum pearling efficiency and minimum grain damage. The analysis was carried out using Response Surface Method along with the Box-Behnken Design tool. The optimum operational parameters were found as drum speed 7.25 m/s, concave clearance 3 mm and pearling sieve size 2 mm that predicts the maximum pearling efficiency of 98.95% and minimum grain damage of 0.73%. Finally, the performance of the pearling drum was validated setting optimum conditions. It results pearling efficiency of 99% along with 0.5% grain damage. Above results indicates that the validated pearling drum performance was better than predicted.

Effect of operating parameters on performance of finger millet pearling machine

“…With the above‐optimized settings, the performance of the pearling drum was tested, and it was found that PE was 99% versus expected 98.40%, and no GD was found versus predicted 0.12%, respectively. The operating parameters of the pearling drum, such as DS, CC, and pearling sieve size, are optimized by Powar et al (2019a) and (2019b). The authors reported that the ideal operating settings for the pearling drum were 7.25 m/s DS, 3 mm CC, and 2 mm pearling sieve size, which indicated a maximum PE of 98.95% and GD of 0.73%.…”

“…In the previous investigation done by Powar et al (2019a) and (2019b), the capacity of pearling drum is twice that of the threshing drum, if the same drum dimensions were used for pearling operation. As a result, the capacity of the pearling drum was considered as 80 kg/h.…”

“…The operating parameters of the pearling drum, such as DS, CC, and pearling sieve size, are optimized by Powar et al (2019a) and(2019b).…”

“…Finger millet grains are very small in size, measuring between 1.2 and 1.7 mm in diameter (Powar et al, 2019a(Powar et al, , 2019b. The physiology of finger millet consists of a naked caryopsis and is majorly composed of the seed coat (13%-15%), germ (1.5%-2.5%), and endosperm (80%-85%; Hulse et al, 1980).…”

“…The pearling effectiveness of this pearler is quite low, resulting in increased losses due to seed breakage and more unpearled grains being produced (Verma et al, 2014). Successful efforts in designing, developing, and evaluating an integrated thresher‐cum‐pearler were made by Powar et al (2019a) and (2019b). An integrated type of thresher‐cum‐pearler, pearling drum is directly coupled with a threshing drum.…”