Some physical properties of Australian Nonpareil almonds related to bulk storage

Authors

  • Zheng Dingke College of Engineering, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
  • John Fielke Barbara Hardy Institute, School of Engineering, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia

Keywords:

almond, storage, bulk density, true density, porosity, kernel, in-hull, in-shell

Abstract

The Australian almond industry desires to improve storage of harvested almonds awaiting processing. The present work quantified some storage-related physical properties of almonds. The sample used in the study was Nonpareil almonds with a kernel moisture content of 4.5% d.b. The mass composition of the sample was 55% hull, 32% kernel and 13% shell. Tests showed that the bulk stored in-shell almonds had only 41% of the volume of in-hull almonds and 45% of the mass. Thus removing hulls before storage would result in saving both storage and subsequent transportation costs. Tests simulating various storage heights of almonds showed that a 10 m storage height of almonds increased the bulk density of in-hull almonds from 320 to 355 kg/m3, of in-shell almonds (hull removed) from 356 to 378 kg/m3, and kernels (hull and shell removed) from 604 to 649 kg/m3. A 10 m storage height of almonds reduced the porosity of in-hull almonds from 67% to 64%, of in-shell almonds from 58% to 55%, and of the kernel from 48% to 44%. Observation showed that the change in bulk density and porosity occurred in an exponential manner with fitted curves that provided R2 between 0.97 and 0.99. Keywords: almond, storage, bulk density, true density, porosity, kernel, in-hull, in-shell DOI: 10.3965/j.ijabe.20140705.013 Citation: Zheng D. K., Fielke J. M. Some physical properties of Australian Nonpareil almonds related to bulk storage. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2014; 7(5): 116-122.

Author Biographies

Zheng Dingke, College of Engineering, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China

Associate Professor, Mailing address: Wushan Rd., Tianhe Dist., Guangzhou, 510642, P. R. China. Tel: +86-20-85286120.

John Fielke, Barbara Hardy Institute, School of Engineering, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia

Associate Professor

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Published

2014-10-30

How to Cite

Dingke, Z., & Fielke, J. (2014). Some physical properties of Australian Nonpareil almonds related to bulk storage. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 7(5), 116–122. Retrieved from https://ijabe.migration.pkpps03.publicknowledgeproject.org/index.php/ijabe/article/view/1231

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Section

Agro-product and Food Processing Systems