International Commission of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Abstract
In this study, some physical properties of apricot pit of cv. ‘Sonnati Salmas' were determined at 5.11, 11.23 and 16.48 % wet base moisture contents. Physical properties such as dimensions, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, surface area, bulk density, true density, porosity, volume, weight and coefficient of static friction on various surfaces were determined as a function of pit moisture content. Length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter and surface area of pits increased with increasing moisture content. Sphericity decreased from 72.16 to 72.10 %, 1000 grain mass and grain volume increased from 1402.43 to 1437.32 g and 1.49 to 1.51 cm3, respectively. Porosity decreased from 49.457 to 48.404 %, true density and bulk density increased from 1043.97 to 1045.51 kg/m3 and 527.65 to 539.44 kg/m3, respectively. The coefficient of static friction increased as the moisture content increased. These results are necessary for designing of equipments for processing, conveying, separating and packing apricot pit
