Performance evaluation of pedal operated flour mill with multi-applications

Abstract

The flour mill was developed and evaluated for its performance to make Flour, Rawa (Sooji) and Dhal. The flour mill was evaluated for its performance by selecting different grains such as rice, maize, sorghum and pigeon pea. The clearance between the stones was set as per the requirement. The clearance for making dhal was set (7 mm).The highest yield recovery of flour, rava and dhal was obtained at 3, 5 and 7mm of clearance respectively. The average grinding capacity of developed mill was in the range of 2.0 to 3.0 kg/h for making fine flour. The average capacity of the mill for de-husking of pigeon pea was found to be 8.5 to 10.0 kg/h and for rawa 6.6 – 8.5 kg/h. The maximum dhal recovery (60%) was achieved at apedal speed of 70 rpm and at clearance of 7mm between the two grinding stones. The estimated production cost of developed flour mill was Rs. 5900/- and the cost operation was found to be ₹. 2.50, 2.00, 0.75 and 1.00 per kg of sorghum flour, wheat rava, rice rawa and dhal respectively. The machine can also be used for other useful purposes such as for radio, charging the mobile and lighting the CFL bulb of 18 W etc.