Design and construction of motorized pulse de-husker.

Abstract

The average protein content for de-husked legumes is 249g/kg and 44Q/kg in husks and although the hull contains some •nutrients, the protein and other nutrients content except ash in the cotyledon and other parts the seed exceed by fat the nutrient content in the. hull, and the hull deteriorates the- functional properties of the (legumes). In addition, the testa during early post-harvest handling of the pulses may carry pests, fungi. and other microorganisms which may lead to the deterioration of' the product However, Uganda and other developing countries continue to export countries continue to export husk rich products which are low in nutrient content thus continue earning legs foreign exchange than they would. otherwise do. There may only be few ways to offset the challenges posed by the presence -of the testa of' the pulses but it is undisputed fact that de-husking is the mast, effective method of improving the quality of the pulses cannot be disputed. In doing this, many previous methods of de-hulling have concentrated more on purely chemical or physical methods or methods of removal as opposed to a combination of' the methods in addition to being time consuming and inefficient. This research therefore sought to design, construct a motorized pulse de-husker motorized pulse de-husker, and to evaluate the technical performance of the motorized de-husker, and as well as carry out an economic and social evaluation of the machine. These were done through carefully designing each component of the machine based on the various scientific principles, selection of materials to base in the construction, choosing the methods of fabrication and then assembling The scope of the project was to de-husk legumes specifically cowpeas and beans. - This report contains, chapter one. which brings out the background on pulses. objectives the problem statement as well as justification and constraints. Chapter two highlights. the technologies available tar de-husking the pulses and explains why this de-husker should- be the way to go. Chapter three explains the steps that enabled me to achieve the objectives of this project, how it was- evaluated and also the results of the project.