Determination of the Energy for Breaking Palm Kernel Nuts by Single Impact

Abstract

This research focuses on determining the energy required to break palm kernel nuts through a single impact. Palm kernel is a valuable byproduct of palm oil, with the nut's oil used in food and other products. The study aims to measure the work done and impact energy required to crack the kernel, considering force, time, and the kinetic phenomena involved. A specially designed machine was used to crack dried and moisture content palm kernel nuts, categorized by their diameter. The nuts were tested under two conditions: with and without moisture content (10%). The following visual criteria were used to evaluate the degree of cracking: shattered, entirely cracked, completely cracked with little damage, shattered without nut separation, difficult to crack, completely cracked. The nuts were cracked using the specially constructed apparatus. Data was collected on a number of variables, such as time, displacement height, kernel size, and shell thickness. The study measured force, work done, and impact energy under both moisture and moisture-free conditions. The integral form of the work or impact load is considered in the design of cracking machines. Results showed that the energy required to crack the kernel was lower in the moisture content condition compared to the moisture-free condition. The efficiency of cracking was also higher when there was no moisture in the kernels. During the experimentation certain kernels refused to crack until a certain height is reached resulting in the variations in height. The average value for force, work done and impact energy for breaking a palm kernel shell were calculated for moisture content and moisture free conditions employing those factors identified significant in the ANOVA tables and according to the models developed out of the actual factors coding in the analysis become: 3.16 Newton and 0.744Newton; 0.079Joule and 0.14Joule; and 0.02 Newton second and 0.03 Newton second respectively. The research suggests that using a double-impact approach may be more effective than the single-impact method. It also recommends further testing with more samples to assess the precision and resilience of the testing equipment.