Development of Integrated Palm Fruit Juice Machine

Abstract

The processing of Palm fruit juice in Nigeria have not been fully exploited due to its non-mechanization. Large percentage of palm fruit juice in Nigeria market is processed from the traditional method which is not only unhygienic but is equally labourious and time consuming. In this research work, a palm fruit juice extracting machine comprising an outer tub, inner tub, shaft, pulley, electric motor, belt, band heater, agitator and lagging material was developed and tested. The machine was evaluated for performance and the results obtained show throughput capacity of 0.87kg/min and efficiency of 93.7 . In addition, at a process time of 12.6min the mechanized method gave an average process efficiency of 93.22% against the traditional method with efficiency of 48.33%. The juicer was powered with 1HP electric motor. All the materials used in the fabrication of this machine were sourced locally and the estimated cost of producing one unit is fifty-five thousand, six hundred and fifty naira (₦55, 650.00). This concept design of an integrated palm fruit juice machine has significantly improved ease of extracting juice from palm fruits and drastically reduce intensive labour with improved hygiene. This machine is therefore highly recommended over the traditional method.