Design of a Mechanical Oil Kneader Based on Ergonomic Studies of the Traditional Kneading Process

Abstract:

The traditional groundnut oil processing is a popular commercial value addition activity, especially amongst women in Northern Nigeria. The process comprises of seven sub-processes, which include roasting, de-skinning, winnowing, milling, kneading, frying and forming of groundnut cake. Past studies have shown that the kneading sub-process was more strenuous and time consuming. To address these limitations, relevant data from ergonomics studies of the traditional kneading process were incorporated into engineering design procedure to develop a mechanical oil kneader that has similar motion with the traditional, but incorporates components that confer mechanical advantages. Comparative evaluation of the kneading process using same quantity of groundnut (i.e. 6.5kg) revealed that average percent oil extracted was 34.7% with the mechanical kneader, whilst it was 26.4% by the traditional process; and extraction efficiency for the kneader was 71.3% and 52.8% for the traditional. Time wise, the mechanical kneader required only 32% of the time used for kneading same weight with the traditional. In effect, the mechanical kneader enhances the volume of oil extraction and reduces the processing duration by 68%.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 528)
• Pages: 264-271
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.528.264
• Online since: February 2014
• Authors: M.A. Ali*, I.W. Muhammad
• Keywords: Efficiency, Groundnut Oil, Mechanical Kneader, Traditional Kneader, Value Addition

References

[1] J. Smart, The Groundnut Crop: a scientific basis of improvement, Chapman and Hall, London, (1994).

[2] F. A. Ola, Development of a motorized groundnut oil extractor, A master thesis submitted to Department of Agricultural Engineering, ABU, Zaria, (2000).

[3] S. R. Namulasi, R. N. Kaul, Studies on the Traditional System of Groundnut Oil Extraction and Possible Improvement, National Agricultural Mechanisation Research Program, IAR/ABU, Zaria, Nigeria, (1992).

[4] A. Muazu, Evaluation of Traditional Groundnut Oil Extraction Process: Case Study of Small Scale Processors at Bindawa Local Government, Katsina State, B. Eng. Undergraduate Project, Bayero University, Kano, (2008).

[5] I. I. Idris, A Study on the Traditional Groundnut Oil Extraction Method: Case Study of Dawanau Town, Kano State, B. Eng. Undergraduate Project, Bayero University, Kano, (2010).

[6] A. M. El-Okene, M. A. Ali, M. A. Sanda and M. L. Suleiman, Ergonomic Studies of Kneading Operation in Traditional Groundnut Oil Extraction, Journal of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Volume 1, Number 1, July 2009. Rosefet Academic Publication. Pp. 34 – 43.

[7] F. A. Maunde, M. A. Ali, A. El-Okene and S. A. Iya, Evaluation of Kinematics and Ergonomic Studies of Groundnut Oil Extraction Methods, Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Research and Development: Impact on Industry (ICER&D 2006). P. 679 – 684.

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.18-19.151