ABSTRACT

 A motorized ginger rhizome peeling machine was    designed, developed and its performance evaluated. Three moisture contents (69.55%, 75.4% and 80.38%), three feed rates (54.17kg/hr, 67.5kg/hr and 72.9kg/hr) and three peeling speeds(230rpm, 270rpm and 300rpm) were used for the performance evaluation of the machine. A  factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design; replicated two times was used to study the interactions and effects of the three factors on the performance parameters (peeling efficiency, peeling capacity and percent damage). The study showed that peeling efficiency increases from 82.3% - 88.5% with a increase in moisture content from 69.55% - 80.38 % , a decrease in feed rate from 72.9kg/hr - 54.17 kg/hr and an increase in peeling speed from 230rpm – 300rpm. Peeling capacity increases from 2.4kg/hr – 11.64kg/hr with an increase in moisture content from 69.55% - 80.38%, a decrease in feed rate from 72.9kg/hr – 54.17kg/hr and an increase in peeling speed from 230rpm – 300rpm. Percent damage increases from 6.3% - 14.4% with a decrease in moisture content from 80.38% - 69.55%, an increase in feed rate from 54.17kg/hr – 72.9kg/hr and an increase in peeling speed from 230rpm – 300rpm. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) result showed that the interaction of moisture content, feed rate and peeling speed had a significant effect on peeling efficiency, peeling capacity and percent damage at p<0.05 level. For a maximum peeling efficiency, peeling capacity and minimum percent damage, an optimum moisture content of 75.4%, feed rate of 67.5kg/hr and peeling speed of 270rpm are recommended.