A Novel Method for Moisture Determination in Peanuts

Authors: RITULA, THAKUR - Kle University; BABANKUMAR, BANSOD - Kle University; Kandala, Chari; CHATERJI, S - Kle University

Submitted to: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/30/2014
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Conventional electronic moisture meters for grain, seeds, and nuts provide a moisture content reading that is an average for the sample. This average does not provide any information about the range of individual kernel or seed moisture contents that may be present in a sample. The range of kernel moisture contents, if known, could be very useful in the storage, handling, and processing of peanuts. Thus, an instrument that could determine the moisture content of individual kernels within samples would be valuable both in research and in practical use in the peanut industry. The present paper proposes the development of a novel method for moisture determination in peanuts using latest analog devices, making the whole system cost effective as well as compact. The developed scheme uses AD 9958, a highly integrated device that uses advanced Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) technology that provides low power dissipation with high performance. It essentially consists of two DDS cores that provide independent frequency, phase, and amplitude control on each channel. This was programmed using LABVIEW to generate a sweep of frequency of 1 KHz to 1 MHz to be provided to sample holder. The AD8302 is a integrated detector used to detect the relative amplitude and phase of two independent input signals. It integrates two closely matched pair of wideband demodulating logarithmic amplifiers and a phase detector. The AD 8302 can produce an amplitude detection output voltage VMAG that is proportional to the power difference of two input signals, and a phase detection output voltage VPHS that is proportional to the phase difference of the two input signal. From the measured values of the amplitude and phase angle the moisture content of the samples was predicted to an acceptable accuracy.

Technical Abstract: Accurate determination of moisture content of the peanuts is an important factor for preserving the quality and prevention of spoilage in peanuts. Hence, it is very important to devise rapid methods for determining moisture during harvesting, storage, marketing, and processing of peanuts. This paper deals with a novel method for moisture determination in peanuts using latest analog devices, which make the whole system cost effective as well as compact.