A Study on the Performance of the Saffron Separator for Different Air Flows

Saffron, the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus, is extremely appreciated for its extraordinary color, taste and aroma. At the present time, nearly all the saffron harvest and post harvest processes are carried out manually. To increase the quality and development of economic role of saffron, it is essential to go beyond the traditional method of harvest of saffron. Considering that saffron components terminal velocities are different, a separator is planned and constructed to separate stigma from other parts of saffron flower. This separator is designed on the basis of aerodynamic and physical properties of saffron flower. The purpose of this study is to analyze the performance of a saffron separator for different air flows to increase the level of automation and efficiency of post-harvest operations. The results show that the maximum stigma separation happens when the air flow speed in outlet B is 3 m/s. finally, this data will be applied to find the optimum areas of outlet B and D, as two main parameters which have significant effect on the efficiency of saffron separator.

PDF

___

Abdullaev FI. 2004. Biomedical properties of saffron and its potential use in cancer therapy and chemoprevention trials. Cancer Det. Preven., 28: 426-432.

Aydin C. 2002. Physical properties of hazel nuts. Biosystems Engineering., 82: 297- 303.

Bertetto AM, Falchi C, Pinna R, Ricciu R. 2010. An integrated device for saffron flowers detaching and harvesting, 19th International Workshop on Robotics in Alpe-Adria-Danube Region RAAD. Budapest, Hungary. 24-26 June 2010. IEEE, PP: 93 98.

Castillo R, Fernandez JA, Gomez-Gomez L. 2005. Implications of carotenoid biosynthetic genes in apocarotenoid formation during the stigma development of Crocus sativus and its closer relatives. Plant Physiology., 139: 674689.

Demir F, Akinci I. 2004. Physical and nutritional properties of four major commercial Turkish hazelnut varieties. Journal of Food Engineering., 63: 341347.

Emadi B. 2009. Separating saffron flower parts using vertical air column. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology., 49: 25-28.

Emadi B, Saiedirad MH. 2011. Moisture-dependent physical properties of saffron flower. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 13: 387-398.

Emadi B, Yarlagadda PKDV. 2008. Design of a wind tunnel for separating flower parts of saffron. Journal of Achievements in Materials and Manufacturing Engineering., 31: 635-638.

Golmohammadi F. 2014. Saffron and its Farming, Economic Importance, Export, Medicinal characteristics and Various Uses in South Khorasan Province-East of Iran. International Journal of Farming and Allied Sciences., 3: 566-596.

Gracia L, Perez-Vidal C, Gracia-Lopez C. 2009. Automated cutting system to obtain the stigmas of the saffron Flower, Biosystems Engineering., 104: 817.

Hassan-Beygi S,Vale H, Khazaei, J. 2010. Picking force of saffron flower and shear strength of saffron stalk. Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities, 13:1-9.

Kafi M, Rashed MH, Koocheki A, Mollafilabi A. 2002. Saffron Production Technology and Processing. Center of Excellence for Agronomy (Special Crops). Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, 37: 5357.

McGimpsey JA, Douglas MH, Wallace A.R. 1997. Evaluation of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) production in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science., 25: 159-168.

Mohammad HSR. 2006. Design and development of a two-raw saffron bulb planter. Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa and Latin America, 37: 4850.

Mohsenin NN. 1986. Physical Properties of Plant and Animal Materials, Structure, Physical Characteristics and Mechanical Properties, 2nd updated and revised edition Gordon and Breach Science Publisher, New York, 241.

Negbi M. 1999. Saffron. Crocus sativus L. Harwood Academic Publ. I Overseas Publ. Ass., Amsterdam.

Ozguven F, Vursavus K. 2005. Some physical, mechanical and aerodynamic properties of pine (Pinus pinea) nuts. Journal of Food Engineering., 68: 191196.

Paschino F, Gambella F. 2008. First contribute to the mechanization string of saffron flowers (Croccus Sativus L), International Conference of Innovation Technology to Empower Safety, Health and Welfare in Agriculture and Agro-food Systems. Ragusa Italy. September 15-17, 2008.

Premkumar K, Thirunavukkarasu C, Abraham SK, Santhiya ST, Ramesh A. 2006. Protective effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) aqueous extract against genetic damage induced by antitumor agents in mice. Human and Experimental Toxicology. 25: 7984.

Ruggiu M, Bertetto AM. 2006. A mechanical device for harvesting crocus sativus (saffron) flowers. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 22: 491-498.