Effect of moisture content of two varieties of palm kernel and shell on the coefficient of sliding friction of a cloth tarpaulin

Abstract

Quantity of moisture content in palm nut and its constituents after cracking is a pre-condition for cracking of nuts and separation of its constituents. The effect of moisture content of two varieties of palm kernel and shell on the coefficient of sliding friction of a cloth tarpaulin material was determined. Moisture content was determined for both palm kernel and shell of tenera and dura varieties according to the ASAE standards. The moisture content was adjusted to the desired value by adding a calculated volume of distilled water. The moisture content of dura and tenera varieties were 17.4 and 18.2% which were individually adjusted to 9, 13 and 17% by adding 76.3, 39.8 and 3.3 g; and 82.3, 46.4 and 10.6 g distilled water respectively. The determination of the coefficient of sliding friction of palm kernel and shell of dura and tenera varieties on the two faces of cloth tarpaulin was carried out through an angle of repose apparatus. The coefficient of sliding friction for dura kernel and shell on two faces of cloth tarpaulin ranged from 0.458-0.793 for 9%; 0.450-0.749 for 13%; and 0.433-0.738 for 17%. The coefficient of sliding friction for tenera kernel and shell on the two faces of cloth tarpaulin ranged from 0.537-0.913 for 9%; 0.497-0.852 for 13%; and 0.490-0.940 for 17%. The moisture content had significant effect at p<0.05 on the coefficient of sliding friction of either palm kernel or palm shell of any variety on face B of cloth tarpaulin except of dura shell but the moisture content had no significant effect at p>0.05 on coefficient of sliding friction of either palm kernel or palm shell of any variety on face A of cloth tarpaulin. The effect of moisture content of palm kernel and shell on the coefficient of sliding friction was influenced by the roughness of the cloth tarpaulin.