Convertible ginger crusher, juice extractor, and mill

A ginger processing equipment was developed at the Bicol University College of Agriculture and Forestry, Guinobatan, Albay [Philippines]. It performs three operations: ginger crushing, juice extraction, and milling. It can be used for processing ginger for juice, tea, candy, and powder. It is composed of five major parts: hopper, extracting chamber, transmission, and the prime mover. It is made of locally-available materials. The machine's performance was evaluated based on the following parameters: 1) process; 2) extraction capacity and efficiency; 3) extraction rate; 4) percent juice recovery; 5) percent losses; 6) energy consumption; 7) labor requirement; and 8) economics of the process. The Hawaiian white ginger having 8-10 months maturity period was used for processing. Findings showed that two processors engaged in manual processing of ginger were identified in the province: one in Brgy. [village] Tabiquian, Sitio Oras, Tabacco, Albay, and one in Brgy. Maguiron, Sitio Magaysay, Guinobatan, Albay. In these two sites, the average washing, peeling, and grating capacity were 7.025 kg/hr, 0.515 kg/hr, and 0.81 kg/hr, respectively. Average extraction capacity was 4.8 kg/hr. Further, the total time spent for manual processing of ginger was 3.11 kg/hr. The labor cost for washing, peeling, grating and extraction amounted to P77.75/kg. Machine's performance for juice extraction showed an average extraction capacity of 31.22 kg/hr and extraction rate of 404.20 mL/min. The juice recovered from the 15 kg fresh ginger was 77.6%. The amount of juice lost was only 2.39%. The machine's overall extraction efficiency was 91.91%. Extraction time was 28.82 minutes. The machine was powered by a 1-hp electric motor, with power consumption of 0.41 kW-hour, and one labor requirement. The cost of acquiring the machine was P35,000 (with electric motor). Economic analysis of using the machine showed a total operating cost amounting to P53,277.00/yr. Considering the machine's capacity of 44,280 kg/yr and extraction cost of P200/kg, the gross income per year would amount to P88,560.00 and the net income/yr would amount to P35,283.00. Investment can be recovered on the first year of operation and is expected to yield returns on investment of 66.22%. Comparative cost analysis between manual and mechanical juice extraction using 15 kg of ginger per day showed that labor cost for manual extraction was higher (P1,173.75) than the mechanical extraction (P130.00). The technology is appropriate for small-to medium- and large-scale production. It provides employment opportunities for youth, women, cooperatives, processors, and other entrepreneurs