Dehulling can be defined as the process of removing a portion or all of the outside layer(s) of grains. This unit operation is necessary in the processing of Cowpeas, Maize, Sorghum, Millet, Locust beans, etc into flour, grits, cotyledons, and various diets. 

The project objective which was to design, fabricate and develop a motorised dehuller for dehulling grains was achieved.

FIIRO Grains dehuller was tested and its performance was excellent.

Dehulling has been identified as a problem area in the processing of cowpeas to cotyledons, grits and flour. Dehulling cowpeas is a long and tedious process. Most housewives generally prefer the wet method of dehulling or a combination of the dry method with the wet (Florence E. Dovlo, 1976). Dehulling by rubbing soaked cowpeas in between palms is time and energy consuming. 

The design and development of FIIRO manually operated grains dehuller was accomplished in 2000, while FIIRO motorised grains dehuller was achieved in 2007.

It is important to note however, that performance evaluation and characterisation has not been done on FIIRO motorised grains dehuller. This aspect of the project should be carried out in order to improve its performance and ensure the optimum use of the machine. 

The use of FIIRO Grains Dehuller will not only remove the pain and drudgery the processors are subjected to, it will enhance food quality, increase production capacity, food security, and poverty alleviation.

3D CAD MODEL OF FIIRO GRAINS DEHULLER