Design and fabrication of downsized palmfruit digester

Abstract

A downsized oil palm fruit digester was designed, fabricated and tested. The materials for fabrication were sourced locally. The machine was tested for throughput capacity (Dc) and efficiency (η). Average throughput capacity of 0.030 kg/sec and efficiency of 70.8% was obtained. Rate of digestion increased with the increase in mass of the digesting palm fruits while the efficiency of the oil palm fruit digester decreased with increase in mass of the digesting palm fruit in some cases. The machine is made of the stand which serves as the main frame of the machine. It has a hopper which serves as the inlet of the machine. It also has a digestion chamber with a set of beaters welded to a shaft. It is powered by a 6.5HP engine and has a low fuel consumption. The machine is driven by a v-belt on a v-pulley. The machine is simple to operate and maintain, it is cost effective and mobile