Some Engineering Properties of Cashew Nut Related to the Design of Processing Equipment

Abstract

Some engineering properties of cashew-nut related to the design of processing equipment namely: size, sphericity, roundness, surface area, static coefficient of friction against different materials, angles of repose and specific heat capacity were studied. Major diameter, intermediate diameter and minor diameter for the Brazilian nut and local nut were 38mm and 30.6mm, 22.2mm and 18.3mm and 19mm and 16.7mm respectively. Values of 2.19 and 1.95 for the roundness for the two varieties respectively and values of 0.66 and 0.70 for the sphericity for the two varieties respectively. The nuts have highest coefficients of friction for the galvanized steel and lowest for glass for the Brazilian nut and local nuts. The specific heat capacity values were 3.014j/g⁰Cand 4.93j/g⁰c for the Brazilian and Local nut respectively.