Development of a Compact and Mobile Decorticator for Groundnut

Abstract

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a common oilseed crop. The way it is processed after harvesting greatly affects product quality and economic value. Decortication is the process of separating kernels from shells. Traditionally, this is done using manual or semi-mechanized methods. These methods require a lot of labour, take up considerable time, and often lead to higher losses. This study reviews the existing methods for decorticating groundnuts and points out their shortcomings in efficiency, kernel damage, and scalability. Based on these findings, we suggest a new design for a groundnut decorticator. This design includes a cylindrical shelling mechanism that aims to improve the effectiveness of shelling while keeping the kernels intact. The new design prioritizes simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and is suitable for small- and medium-scale operations. This work lays the groundwork for further development and testing of better decortication systems to improve post-harvest processing.