Deshmukh, Dr. M. MKOTHALKAR, VAISHALI GAJANAN.2018-07-252018-07-252017-09-13KOTHALKAR VAISHALI GAJANAN. (2017). Design, development and performance evaluation of power operated groundnut decorticator. Department of farm power and machinery. Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. M. Tech. 2017. Print xii, 55p. (unpublished).http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810062005Groundnut (Arachis hypogea), is a Oil seed belonging to the legume family. It is the sixth most important oilseed crop in the world. Decortication is one of the important post-harvest operations in groundnut production process. Decortication is basically meant for separation of kernels from the pods and its effectiveness depends on more shelling capacity with least damage to kernels. It is a very tedious and time consuming operation involving a lot of drudgery. The quality and quantity of shelled products depend on the method of shelling process used. Broken seeds obtained during the process are undesirable not only for seed purpose but also for the domestic and commercial uses. Groundnut shelling is done either by hand or by hand, pedal and power operated decorticators. Hand shelling of groundnut gives the higher whole kernel count but it is a slow, cumbersome and labour intensive with a maximum shelling capacity of about 5 kg per person per day of 6 hours. Moreover, the quantity and quality of out-turn depends on the skill of operator. Output and input capacity of machine is 28 kg/h and 45 kg/h respectively.Present work is entitled “Design, development and performance evaluation of power operated groundnut decorticator.” To design concave sieve of groundnut decorticator various physical parameters of groundnut pods and seeds were studied to design concave sieve. Overall dimensions of main frame are 1400×320×820. Electric motor, Pulley and belts are used for power transmission. The performance evaluation of power operated groundnut decorticator was evaluate at different clearances between decorticating lever and concave sieve. Broken seed were 13.96 per cent at 12 mm clearance and losses were 21.06 per cent at 7 mm clearance Decorticating efficiencies were 97.78 per cent at 12 mm clearance and 98.43 per cent at 7 mm Clearance. Cleaning efficiency was 85.71 per cent at 12 mm clearance and 78.93 per cent at 7 mm clearance. Cleaning efficiency decreases with decreasing clearance. Input capacity was 45 kg/h at 12mm clearance and 40 kg/h at 7mm clearance. Output capacity was 28.75 kg/h at 12 mm clearance and 25.44 kg/h at 7 mm clearance. Input and output capacities were decreased with clearance. Seed recovery range was 79.07 per cent at 12mm clearance and 73.29 per cent at 7 mm clearance. Seed recovery range was decreased with clearance. Capacity utilization was 63.88 per cent at 12mm clearance and 63.60 per cent at 7 mm clearance.ennullThesis