ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of mechanical threshing in the popcorn quality and to develop software for simulating the threshing process of a machine with a bar cylinder and concave mechanism. The experimental tests were done with two varieties of popcorn, the Zélia and the CMS-43, and with three speeds for the threshing cylinder, 500, 600 e 700rpm. The expansion volume and the concave separation efficiency were analyzed. The Zélia variety presented greater expansion volume and greater mechanical damage compared to the CMS-43 variety. The error of the developed software in predicting the concave separation efficiency was 3.96 percent, that was considered to be satisfactory for engineering applications.
Key words:
harvest; separation efficiency; mechanical damage