Some Physical and Mechanical Properties of Black Cumin Seeds Preparatory to Primary Processing

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the physical, mechanical and frictional characteristics of black seeds, namely, principal axes, arithmetic mean diameter, geometric mean diameter, surface area, volume, 1000 unit mass, sphericity, aspect ratio, porosity and angle of repose bio-yield force, rupture force, compressive force and strength, modulus of elasticity of black seeds. Results showed that seeds have length, width and thickness values varied from 2.94 to 3.65 mm, 1.31 to 2.11 mm and 0.62 to 1.32 mm respectively. The mean sphericity, aspect area, surface area, volume and 1000 unit mass of black seeds were 55%, 47%, 17.26 mm 2 , 7.83 mm 3 and 3.18 g. Stainless steel surface had the lowest value of static and dynamic coefficient of friction. The positive interaction was observed between density, rupture force, yield force, yield compressive strength and significantly different at (P<0.001). Stainless steel is more appropriate for the construction of hopper and chute of the machine.