ABSTRACT

This research work determines some engineering properties of carrot. The classes of engineering properties determined were physical and mechanical. The physical properties investigated include; size, mass, volume, shape and sphericity. Mechanical Properties were: angle of repose and coefficient of friction. The major diameters of carrots measured ranges from minimum of 47mm to maximum of 115mm and the mean value of the major diameter obtained is 95mm. The standard deviation and coefficient of variation obtained for major diameters are 17mm and 0.18% respectively. Also the intermediate diameter ranges from minimum 15mm to maximum of 34mm, with mean value of 24mm. While the standard deviation and coefficient of variation are 5.4mm and 0.22% respectively. The minimum, maximum, mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation values of the shape and sphericity measured are 0.16mm, 0.65mm, 0.39mm, 0.1 1mm and 0.28% respectively. The sample is neither round nor spherical, but will always tend to roll when they are on a particular orientation. There properties are always considered when designing hopper and dehulling equipment for agriculture materials. The minimum, maximum, mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation values of the volume measured are 10241.9mm, 58337.55mm, 29242.91mm, 13706.91mm and 0.47% respectively. The volume of each carrot sample varies with the length and other diameters. The minimum, maximum, mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation values of the angle of repose measured for glass are 26mm, 45mm, 35.7mm, 5.69mm and 0.15% respectively. The result show that metal has the lesser angle of repose, follow by glass. The minimum, maximum, mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation of angle of repose obtained from measured on the three surfaces for glass, plywood and metal indicate that samples have neither very smooth nor rough surface. Further study should consider the compressive strength of carrot, as well as dynamic coefficient of friction on different surfaces. Design and development of a carrot processing machine is recommended for future work.