Modelling and Optimization of a Solar Powered Groundnut Sheller Performance Using Response Surface Methodology

The performance parameter of solar-powered groundnut sheller was analyzed for optimum design parameters, viz., sieve hole size 15 mm, and speed of flywheel 59.86 rpm. The output responses as shelling capacity, shelling efficiency, and broken kernels were obtained to be 135.78 kg/h, 83.23%, and 2.54% against predicted 136.12 kg/h, 83.54%, and 2.66%, respectively with the optimum operational parameters for TAG-24 groundnut variety. The developed quadratic model is extremely statistically significant (p < 0.0001) and reasonably explained the shelling capacity, shelling efficiency, and percentage of broken kernels with superior value for the coefficient of determination (R-2) as 0.972, 0.989, and 0.989, respectively. The optimization parameters explained that the sieve hole size and flywheel speed have a major effect on the shelling performance of the solar powered groundnut sheller. The optimized parameters showed that the minimum broken groundnut kernels and highest shelling capacity and efficiency were obtained with the solar-powered groundnut sheller with different groundnut varieties TAG-24, TG-26, and TPG-41. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the actual (experimental) and predicted values, pointing to the sufficiency of the equipped models. Hence, the study proves that RSM is an effective tool in predicting superior performance of a solar powered groundnut sheller.