LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Project Proposal
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF MELON DE
HUSKING MACHINE
Matric Number: < 170571011>
Name: < Afolabi Basit Adeleke >
Supervisor: < Prof. Patrick Adebisi Olusegun
Adebuyi>
Date submitted: <24/10/2022>
1.0 Background and Context

Nigeria is an agricultural nation. Melon (citrullus vulgaris) is widely cultivated in Nigeria among

other seedlings during the planting season yearly. Several tons of melon seeds are gathered each

harvesting period but only a very small percentage of the total harvest are dried by atmospheric

draught and bagged for storage. A high percentage of waste is usually incurred in melon seeds

processing due to lack of good processing and storage facilities (Adekunle 2009, Akoh et al.,

1992). Melon seeds when properly processed yield a lot of byproducts, which could be used as

food, feed or as raw materials for the small, medium and large-scale industrial manufacture

outputs (Adekunle et al., 2009). Melon seeds are highly enriched with oil, and it has about 45%

of oil content. After the extraction of oil from melon seeds, the remaining part (Akoh, C. C. et al,

1992) noted that it can still be used as food for human consumption or as an additive in agro-feed

for industrial processes.

1.1 Problem Definition

The major problems encountered in the processing of melon seeds are the removal of the yellow

outside shell and the separation of the broken shells from the white seeds. Locally, in the current

situation, manual method is being used for the commercial shelling and separation of melon

seeds. Also, the little mechanized approach available presently is not efficient because the melon

seeds are broken and no longer uniform upon removal from the de-husking machine. Therefore,

an efficient and mechanized method of de-husking (shelling) and separation processes is capable

of increasing productivity, reducing processing time and bringing down human labor input to the

nearest minimum (Adekunle 2009, Akoh et al., 1992). These problems arising from the manual

de-husking and separation of the melon whitish seeds from the shells necessitated the idea of
design, construction of an efficient melon de-husking and separation machine for our local

communities and industries (Akpan 2004, Egbuta et al., 2003). Post-harvest processing of melon

is usually associated with some difficulties such as seed extraction and seed shelling.

1.2 Project Argument

Inclination researchers uphold that it is as a consequent of incessant breakages associated with

the use of melon de-husking machine that consumers prefer the manual method. Another

argument from the consumers is that, due to frictional forces experienced in the machine during

the de-husking process, this melon seeds often change in color and are no longer fresh as

compared to those ones that are processed manually. But to what extent can the demand for this

product meet daily the supply? Since, the feedback here is not positive, then, the mechanized

approach option is most desirable.

1.3 Scope of the Project

Previous works revealed that post-harvest melon seed shelling is characterized by low shelling

efficiency and high seed damage. Hence, the aim of this work is to design and fabricate a low-

cost melon seed de-husking machine using locally sourced material capable of high shelling

efficiency and low seed damage.

1.4 Project Aim and Objectives

Project Aim

The aim of this project is to design and fabricate a melon seed de-husking machine

Project Objectives
 i. To design and fabricate a low-cost melon seed de-husking machine using locally

sourced material capable of high shelling efficiency and low seed damage.

ii. Conceptualization and design analysis of the melon de-husking machine.

iii. Performance evaluation of the melon de-husking machine.

2.0 Literature review

Introduction

In Nigeria substantial research has been carried out on mechanical melon devices to ease the

shelling operation. Fashina (1971) constructed a melon seed shelling machine which works on

the principles of being by feeding seeds through set of rollers having ridges on their surfaces.

Odigboh (1979) designed an impact Egusi shelling machine that works on the principles of

impact force from spinning disc. Also, Fadamoro (1999) constructed a manually operated melon

Sheller that works by frictional forces between rotating and stationary disc. Melon shelling by

extrusion method was discovered by Obienwe (2002). Other researchers that has ever tried

shelling melon mechanically are: Rotimi (20060, Kafi (1980), Adamu (1981), ringing (1982),

Bable (1988), Mohammed (1989) and Adekunle et al (2009) most of those machines were found

to have low shelling efficiency by high seed damage. Machine-crop parameters such as moisture

content, crop variety and inclination or configuration of beater were identified as factors

affecting machine shelling efficiency and percentage seed damage (Fashina, 1971: Odigboh,

1979: Adamu, 1981: Mohammed 2003 and Okon et al., 2010).

2.1 Categories of melon de-husking machine with respect to different journals

(i)

Figure 2.1 Completely fabricated Melon (Egusi) Decorticating machine (Larry O et al, 2021)

The figure above machine was designed based on standard engineering design procedures. A

CAD drawing was used to develop the machine and a detailed design of the machine was

implemented. The CAD drawing was fabricated. The machine was built using materials available

locally and it consists of the following components the melon shelling machine were the hopper,

the shelling chamber, the base, the blower unit, the body frame, the blade, switch, fan regulator,

feed controller, blade housing, electric motor, motor holder, bolt and nut. Two different

performance evaluation were carried out: one, a comparison based on time of shelling using both

the designed machine and the manual shelling method and two, the performance evaluation was

carried out for different Melon seeds of three (3) varying moisture contents. The parameters

evaluated include decorticating efficiency, percentage of decorticated seed and damaged,

machine performance and capacity. Results from the developed machine shows a shelling

efficiency of 73.1% with seed damage percent of 14.3% when using moisture content of 30%d.b.

while, for the manual shelling was reported to be of a shelling efficiency of 10%, 15.7% and

20.2% with 20.2% being its highest efficiency which is seen to be very small compared to that of

the machine. Shelling speed of the machine and moisture content of the seed Melon affects the

rate, efficiency and percentage of damage to the seeds. This design and the set of conditions

selected were the most preferred due to their speed operation, less damage to the seeds and

minimal expenditure of human energy. The developed machine does not require skilled labor,

and this melon sheller can effectively address the challenges of the traditional method of

decorticating melon.

(ii)

Figure 2.2 Isometric design of the melon dehusking machine (E. J. Udom et al, 2019)

The melon dehusking machine operates on the principle of attrition/friction as opposed to the use

of an impact force in the dehusking chamber for shelling of melon seeds. This principle results in

minimum seed breakage thus, reduces the amount of wastage involved in the mechanized
processing of the melon seeds oil. Also, this machine architecture consists of a separation

chamber which utilizes the air generated from a centrifugal blower in an attempt to separate the

broken shells of melon from its whitish inner cotyledon immediately after the dehusking process.

Other components of this machine include: the feed hopper, dehusking chamber and the power

unit. This melon dehusking machine operates at the optimal dehusking speed of 1,400 rpm, feed

rate of 11 kg/hr and a shelling efficiency of about 85%. The effect of the moisture content of

melon seeds regarding the shelling performance was considered and the result showed that a

soaking time of 8 minutes and a spreading time of 30 minutes yield good optimal dehusking

process.

(iii)

Figure 2.3 The Orthographic view of the Melon Shelling Machine (Orobome A et al, 2018)

The machine consists of a frame, the hopper, the shelling chamber or unit made of a rotating

impeller disc, rotor and the seed or discharge outlet. The shelling unit consists of a rotating

impeller made of mild steel of 15mm thick. The discs are separated by vanes, 5mm thick and
10mm high. The vanes are attached to provide a central feeding port of 70mm diameter and the

seeds are confined to move between the vanes. The impeller is mounted horizontally on the

vertical shaft, centrally positioned with a cylindrical ring of 360mm internal diameter and

thickness 8mm. The machine was tested with melon seeds at constant speed and feed rate, using

moisture contents of dried seeds, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% by weight (w.b). The melon

shelling efficiency (MSE) increased as the moisture content increased, but beyond 20% w.b,

there was a decrease. The maximum shelling efficiency was obtained at a moisture content of

20% w.b. as 84%. The high shelling efficiency obtained in the shelling of melon and minimal

loss has shown that there is a prospect in the mechanization of the processing and handling

operation.

iv.

Figure 2.4 Pictorial view of the melon sheller (Sobowale SS et al, 2015)

The machine was constructed using locally available materials and consists of a hopper, frame,

shelling and cleaning unit, chutes and prime mover. Shelling operation was carried using melon
seeds of three different moisture contents (6.99, 11.90 and 18.32%) and at different shelling

speeds of 2500 and 1500 rpm, while performance evaluation were evaluated. Results obtained

showed that shelling speed of 1500 rpm and moisture content of 18.32% has the best shelling

efficiency of 76.30% and least percentage seed damage of 22.60%, compared to shelling speed

of 2500 rpm and seed moisture content of 6.99%, which had a shelling efficiency of 70.0% and

percentage seed damage of 68.10%. Shelling speeds of the machine and seed moisture content of

melon affects the rate, efficiency and percentage seed damage. The machine and throughput

capacity of the equipment are 7.95 and 9.56 kg/h, respectively.This design and set of conditions

selected were the most preferred because of the low cost, rapid operation, lesser seed damage

and minimal human energy expenditure. The melon seed sheller is user friendly, does not require

skilled labor and independent from any central electric power supply. The equipment design was

found suitable for rural development.

3.0 Design Methodology

Mechanised method of dehusking

A review of literature shows that machines already developed in Nigeria mostly adopted the

principle of impact. In this method, the wetted melon is directed to hit the chequered surface of a

stationary anvil, thereby breaking the shell of the melon. Both the broken shells and the white

melon seed exit through an outlet channel. The impeller is hollow and the melons move through

the vanes provided in the impeller. The melons reach the centre of the impeller by force of

gravity through the receiving hopper. Due to rotation of the impeller, the melons leave the

impeller tangentially.
Centrifugal force plays a major role in this method of dehusking. Shelling of melon takes place

throughout the circumference of the anvil. Its advantages include; high productivity in dehusking

and separation with reduction in dehusking and separation time. Labour is also reduced but the

major setback of this method is the high percentage of breakage (12% and above).

Attrition (friction) method

In this method, the treated melons are directed to the periphery of the rotating impeller. The

rotating impeller rubs the melons against the chequered surface of the stationary anvil and

equally against the melons themselves thereby breaking the shell. The rotating impeller equally

moves the melons and the broken shells along its direction of motion until the exit channel is

reached. The rotating impeller and the anvil may or may not have the same centre of rotation. Its

advantages are similar to that of impact but in this method percentage breakage is very low

(about 1%).

Research approach used in this project/Research design

A de-husking machine by method of attrition for the melon seeds will be designed and fabricated

applying the principles and equations. The speed of this machine will be varied in order to

determine the optimal speed. From the analysis of the melon de-husking it can be concluded that:

i. Attrition method has the highest de-husking efficiency, lowest breakage value and

highest separation efficiency.

ii. The optimal speed should be set within 1000 - 1400 rpm of de-husking which is

easily attainable and works best for machines.

 iii. The use of the attrition machine under specified conditions can help reduce post

harvest losses that occur in broken melons seeds which are susceptible to fast

deterioration due to rancidification and mould formation during storage.

I will like to optimize the potential of this machine by designing it in the form of the machine

designed in figure 2.1 above for massive production of de-husking process. This optimization

will also see the machine through been automated and also improving on the structural integrity

of the machine for long lasting system (damping). The machine will be built in way that it will

possess high resistivity to corrosion. It will be powered by an electric motor.

Figure 2.5 Photograph of melon dehusking machine by principle of attrition (Oriaku E.C et
al, 2013)

Friction analysis in the attrition principle

The rotating impeller rubs the melons against the chequered anvil formed by the static dehusking

casing. The impeller simultaneously rubs and moves the melons up along the walls of the casing

until the exit spout positioned almost at half the diameter of the casing is reached. The motion is

analogical to friction motion on an inclined plane.

It’s been found that;

F
=μ ; F=μR
R

Where W = mg = weight of the body

R = normal reaction which is equal and opposite to the value of W

μ = coefficient of friction between the weight and the support

When support is inclined, the analysis below holds for moving up or going down the inclination.

We have
 F mgsinθ
μ= = =tanθ
R mgcosθ

Risk, Benefits and Cost

Numerous precautions will be made to safeguard the researcher's safety because they will be

working alone while gathering material for fabricating the machine. The researcher will travel to

and from the stated places utilizing public transportation or their own car. For more and best

materials to be obtained for this project, a technical advisor from the mechanical workshop

should be issued to escort me to the market. Safety devices during construction of the project

should be worn because the development will pass through welding, grinding, lathe machine,

drilling and many more process which is advisable in order to curb accident in the workshop.

The project will benefit the masses due to the proposed cheaper and available materials that are

to be obtained. The machine will be built with locally available materials which is quite common

and not challenging to the masses. The machine will reduce lots of breakage of seeds during

operation.

S/N MATERIALS QUANTITY COST

UNIT
REQUIRED
PRICE #

1 ELECTRIC 10000 1 10000

MOTOR

2 PULLEY 15000 2 15000

3 SHAFT 10000 1 10000

4 ANGLE 2000 - 2000

IRONS
5 V-BELT 1500 1 1500

6 KEYS 1000 1 1000

7 MILD STEEL 7000 - 7000

AND

BLADES

8 BOLTS AND 1000 1 PACK 1000

NUTS

9 PAINTS 500 2 1000

10 Blower 5000 1 5000

TOTAL 54500
Project Title Design and construction of melon de husking machine

Tasks WEEKS

Week1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9

Project Conception Initiation

Setup dates for meeting with my

supervisor for better

understanding of his view on

the project/Project proposal

Introduction of the project topic

Literature review

Evaluation of both chapters by

the supervisor

Design Methodology

Obtaining materials to be used

for constructing the machine

from the market

Commencement of fabrication

of the project in the mechanical

workshop

Performance evaluation of the

machine should commence to

obtain the optimal speed from

the machine

Chapter 4(Results and

Discussion)

Conclusion and refrencing

REFERENCES

1. Oyenuga V.A and Fetuga B.L. “Some aspects of biochemical and nutritive value of thewater

melon seeds (Citrullus colocynthis)” J Sci Food Agric 26: 843–854: 1975.

2.Adedoyin, R A; Olatunde, OB; Ponle, EA (2015). Design, Fabrication and Performance

Evaluation of Melon Shelling Machine. Inter. J. Res. Engineer. Techno. 4(7): 78-82.

3.Akinsanmi O. (1982) Certificate agricultural science. Harlow Essex Longman Group Ltd.

4.Akoh C.C. and Nwosu C.V (1992). Fatty Acid Composition of Melon Seed Oil Lipids and

Phospholipids. J. Oil Chem. Soc. 69: 314 – 7.

5.Amadu, A.Y (1981). Improvement Trial of Melon seed De-husking Machine. Unpublished

B.Sc report, Department of Agriculture Engineering Samaru College of Agriculture Zaria

Nigeria.

6.Babale, M (1988). Fabrication of an Egusi Shelling Machine. Agric. Engineering Dept.,

Samaru College of Agriculture, Zaria, Nigeria.

7.Oriaku E. C, C.N. Agulanna, G. Chiwetalu and G.C. Ekwereike. (2010). Official Work

Document, Projects Development Institute (PRODA). Enugu, Nigeria.

8.Cobley, S. H. “An Introduction to the Botany of Tropical Crops” Longmans, Green & Co. pp.

293 –301; 1957.

9.Okoli, B. E. “Wild and Cultivated cucurbits in Nigeria” Econ. Bot. 38(3): 350 –357. edn.)

McGraw –Hill Book Company Inc. NY. 633pp; 1984.

10.Ogunremi, E. A. “Effect of nitrogen on melon (Citrullus lanatus)” at Ibadan, Nigeria. Expl.

Agric. 14: 357 – 365. 1978.

11.Adeniran, M. O. and G. F. Wilson. “Seed type classification of egusi melon in Nigeria” Paper

presented at the 6th African Horticultural Symposium, University of Ibadan, 9th – 25th, July,

1981.