2011 Volume 4 Issue 1 Pages 33-36
In order to separate haskaop berries from other materials during harvest by vacuum suction, a vertical separation column was built where specific weight separation would take place. The results showed that the most suitable configuration of the separation column without damage to berries was one with an inlet pipe through the berry bin. This generated vertical air flow throughout the separation column. Thus, leaves were always suspended in the column. When berries entered the column, air velocity decreased, and berries fell into the berry bin. The required air velocity in the transportation pipe was more than 22 ms −1 to move the heaviest berries. The required air velocity in the separation column was more than 4 ms-1 where the heaviest leaves could remain aloft and be separated from the berries.
