Parametric improvement of hammer mill for bambara flour production using desirability optimization methodology

Characterization and optimization of hammer mill for bambara flour production which reduces drudgery, time loss and multiple milling associated with existing technologies for bambara nut milling operation was performed. Desirability function analysis and optimization technique was utilized to obtain the optimal result which revealed the process/operational parameters (factors) with significant influence on the machine as the bambara grains’ moisture content, number and speed of cross beaters. It also showed throughput and milling efficiency as its functional performance indicators. The number and speed of the cross beater and the bambara nut moisture content affect the particle size of the milled bambara flour directly. The optimal values of the number and speed of cross beaters and bambara nut moisture content were determined as 6, 1610.00rpm and 11.42% respectively which caused increase in capacity and efficiency of the machine.