Rollers Compression Equipment Using Motor Power for Pressing Sugar Palm

Abstract

A roller compressor for sugar palm (Arenga westerhoutii Griff) was invented to increase the efficiency of postharvest processing. The compressor consists of 6 main parts viz. lower structure, upper structure, feeder, roller, motor transmission 746 W, and tank for separating kernel and husk. The experiment was designed to suit to shell diameter and spherical shape of sugar palm fruit. The compressor was tested with cut and non-cut persistent calyx cooked fruits. It was found that the cut persistent calyx cooked sugar palm fruit released 420.7 kg of edible part (endosperm) or 20.6% of total fruit weight. The efficiency of compression was 442.3 kg/hr.While the non-cut fruit released 435.3 kg of edible part of 2,083.6 kg or 20.9% of total weight. The efficiency of compression was 485.7 kg/hr. Results indicate that the current compressor could increase postharvest processing of sugar palm and be suitable for non-cut than the cut fruit.