Abstract
In order to develop an effective physical method of removing spider mites from apples, we have designed an apple washing machine using a swirl mist jet and reciprocating nozzle mechanism. The efficiency of removing spider mites from apples increased with increasing air supply pressure and mist duration. Under the mechanical conditions of air pressure of 0.8MPa, distance between surface and nozzle of 5mm, the pressure on the washing surface was 52kPa on average. The area washed at a colliding pressure of more than 1kPa was 4600mm2 by reciprocating the nozzle at 3.6Hz. A mist duration of more than 1 second at the air supply pressure of 0.8MPa achieved 100% efficiency of removing spider mites from the calyx end of apples.
