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PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com / submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
Cashew nut is an important cash crop having a fair share of the export market. In this study, the effect of moisture content on engineering properties of cashew nuts was evaluated to facilitate the design of agricultural machinery. The linear dimensions and geometric mean diameter are used in design of seed handling and cleaning machinery. The average sphericity, bulk density, true density, porosity, shell thickness and static coefficient of friction determines the design of sieve separators, storage, separation devices, drying equipment, width of shelling blades and selection of fabrication material for the hopper, respectively. The properties viz. length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, surface area, volume and sphericity increased in the range of 27.12 to 28.54 mm, 21.27 to 22.59 mm, 15.06 to 16.65 mm, 20.53 to 22.04 mm, 1325.69 to 1527.86 mm2 and 4695.41 to 5771.74 mm3 and 75.82 to 77.28%, respectively with increase in moisture content. The true density was higher in comparison to the bulk density. The decrease in porosity and angle of repose was observed with increase in moisture content. The coefficient of static friction of the seed was found to be highest in case of plywood with an average shell thickness of 2.48 mm.