Response Surface Methodology for Selection of Machine Parameters for Enhancing Pearling Efficiency of Finger Millet Dehuller-Cum-Pearler

Designed experiments using Box Benkhen Design were conducted for optimizing the machine parameters of finger millet dehuller-cum-pearler. Effect of three parameters having three levels of each i. e. dispersed density (0.43 0.55 gm/cc), residence time (12-18 min) and roller speed (1200-1600 rpm) was studied on pearling efficiency. A second order model was developed for predicting response and studying the effect of individual parameters on the response. Pearling efficiency was observed to be in the range of 70.02 % - 83.68 % for given set of experimental conditions. Best performance of the dehuller cum- pearler was obtained at optimized parameters i. e.0.51 gm/cc dispersed density, 12 minute residence time and 1200 rpm of the roller speed.