Development of a Model to Predict the Extraction of Juice from Date Palm Fruit

A model for predicting juice extraction from date palm fruit using an existing mechanical extractor was developed in the study. Model development was based on principle of continuity and momentum transport. Optimum values of factors such as steaming time, diffusion coefficient, digestion time and quantity of water required for optimum juice yield were determined. Effect of steaming time, diffusion coefficient and pressure on experimental and predicted yield were also determined. Results obtained gave optimum values for steaming time, diffusion coefficient, digestion time and quantity of water as 90 minutes, 4.38 x 10-9 m2/s, 15 minutes and 8 litres, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the effects of factors on yield were significant (P<0.01). The overall deviation of experimental yield from theoretical prediction was 2.56%. The results obtained showed that the mechanical extractor been optimized in the study is appropriate to be applied for economic purposes.