EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF AN ENGINE POWDERED MULTISTAGE GINGER PROCESSING MACHINE

Abstract

Ginger is extensively cultivated for its aromatic rhizomes, which are highly valued for culinary and medicinal applications worldwide. However, processing ginger; particularly washing, peeling, and slicing, can be labor-intensive and time-consuming. To address these challenges, an engine-powered multi-stage ginger processing machine was designed, fabricated, and evaluated. The machine consists of components such as a cylindrical drum, frame, shaft, brushes, slicing discs, V-belt, pulley, bevel gear, and delivery chutes. It is powered by a 5.5 Hp petrol engine. Performance trials were conducted using freshly harvested ginger at varying loads (0.5 kg, 1.0 kg, and 1.5 kg), drum speeds (150, 200, and 250 rpm), and durations (1, 2, and 3 minutes). The machine's performance was evaluated in terms of throughput capacity and washing, peeling, and slicing efficiency. A Box-Behnken experimental design was applied to study the effects of mass, speed, and time on these parameters. Optimization results indicated that with a 1.5 kg load, 1-minute processing time, and 200 rpm drum speed, the machine achieved maximum washing, peeling, and slicing efficiencies of 98%, 73.5%, and 59%, respectively, alongside a throughput capacity of 75%. These findings highlight the machine's effectiveness in improving the efficiency of ginger processing, offering an affordable and straightforward solution that minimizes rhizome quantity and quality losses without requiring drying.