Shelling of hazelnut husk by air stream

Abstract

Hazelnut is a valuable natural product for food industry, contains complete proteins, micro and macro elements, a complex of organic acids and vitamins. There is noted a need for primary processing of hazelnuts, in particular, separation of hazelnut skin using shelling machines. In order to improve this technology, there is considered a theoretical problem of mass formation of floating particles of the skin by creating vorticity in a vertical air channel, intensifying the purification process of peeled hazelnut kernel. The task can be solved on the basis of the calculated scheme of movement of the skin in the air channel and aerodynamic forces acting on it. It has been established that increased rotational vibrations of the skin in a periodic uneven flow make it possible to narrow the beam of particle trajectories (by twisting) and provide intensive mass removal from air stream into the cyclone.