Abstract
The chironji nut (Buchanania lanzan) is currently shelled by hand since there isn't a
suitable machine. Since chironji nuts are similar to gorgon and cashew nuts, its their shelling can
also be done through the methods followed in gorgon and cashew nuts. Chironji nuts are
challenging to decorate because of their small size and hard-shelled grains, which cut in much
more strongly to the kernels. It takes a lot of repeated impact and shear stresses on the shell to
shell the nuts. In order to maximize decorticating efficiency and recovery and minimize broken
kernel, a 3 horsepower electric motor-driven sheller with a capacity of 140–150 kg/h was
conceived and constructed. The factors, which include feed rate, moisture content, concave
clearance, and impeller speed, were tuned. The impeller, concave, cleaner/grader, and hopper are
the four main parts of the sheller were mathematically designed. AutoCAD software was used to
model the designed components before they were manufactured in the Indian Institute of
Technology Kharagpur, India's machine shop. The machine measures 1140 mm in length, 1107
mm in width, and 2120 mm in height. The machine can process 157 kg of nuts per hour with a
69% decortication efficiency. The machine's overall weight was determined to be 168, and the
estimated cost of fabrication was around 65,000 Indian rupees.