Separating Potatoes from Clods and Stones in a Fluidized Bed Medium

Abstract

ABSTRACT Anew method utilizing a fluidized bed medium for the separation of potatoes from stones and clods was studied and developed. A preliminary study showed that this method is promising. It was found that sand would be a good inexpensive medium for this purpose and the process's parameters were determined. An experimental model for continuous separation was developed and tested. For examination of this method under field conditions, a pilot plant was built and tested. The results of field tests showed that the machine can efficiently separate potatoes from clods and stones.