Theory of a mechanical method of peeling cassava tubers with knives

Abstract

Abstra c t. An ew buthighly promising mechanical cassava peeling concept was investigated. The concept is based on the principle of peel-flesh separation through compression and peel removal with knives. The mechanism of this principle was described and mathematically modelled. Preliminary experiments were carried out on root slices of 100 mm length using a peeling machine developed earlier on the basis of this principle. The data collected were used to validate the model. The model developed predicts the performance index (peel removal efficiency) with a certainty level of 95.46%. Thus, the model adequately explains the peeling concept and it is, therefore, an invaluable and reliable tool for further development and improvement of mechanical cassava peeling machines.