Modeling and optimization of finger millet pearling process by using RSM.

Finger millet pearling process involves so many drudgery prone operations that specify the need for the development of finger millet pearling drum. The performance of pearling drum depends on its operational parameters. Therefore, this study aims to optimize the operational parameters of the pearling drum such as drum speed, concave clearance and pearling sieve size to obtain maximum pearling efficiency and minimum grain damage. The analysis was carried out using Response Surface Method along with the Box-Behnken Design tool. The optimum operational parameters were found as drum speed 7.25 m/s, concave clearance 3 mm and pearling sieve size 2 mm that predicts the maximum pearling efficiency of 98.95% and minimum grain damage of 0.73%. Finally, the performance of the pearling drum was validated setting optimum conditions. It results pearling efficiency of 99% along with 0.5% grain damage. Above results indicates that the validated pearling drum performance was better than predicted.