Grain grinding is a fundamental process in various agricultural and food

production activities, crucial for transforming raw grains into consumable

forms.

Traditionally, grain grinding has been carried out using manual tools such

as stones, pestles, and mortars (Rowe, 2013). Milling was accomplished by

grinding the grain between two stones. The grinding stone consists of a

lower stationary one, called the Quern stone and an upper stone which is

mobile and called the hand stone. The oldest known flour milling devices

are saddle stones (Williams and Rosentrater, 2007). A saddle stone is a

cradle-shaped piece of hard stone which holds the grain. The hand stone

can either be a cylindrical piece of stone (held in both hands and drawn

across the grain rather like a rolling pin) or a disc with a vertical handle on

its back (rather like an upside-down mushroom) held in one hand. These

hand stones were used to crush the grain and produce coarse flour

(Thomas and Filippov 1999). In order to make grinding easier, the grain is

normally malted. Malting refers to the process whereby cereal grain is

made to germinate by soaking in water and then have the germination

halted by drying in hot air. Obviously, such method is both laborious and

time consuming. In addition, it produces only enough ground or cracked

grain for a household or extended family . These methods, while effective in

small-scale applications, are labor-intensive and time-consuming. In many

developing countries, including Nigeria, these traditional methods are still

prevalent due to the lack of access to modern machinery (Olufemi,

Akindinola, & Sedara, 2022) This reliance on manual methods limits

productivity and hampers the economic growth of these communities.

Today, as man advances in various technological activities, the traditional

pepper milling machine has been converted to a series of product grinders,
such as the grinding of melon (both dried and wet), grains (such as corn for
pap, beans for cake, rice for massa, and so on), and tuber in its dried form
(i.e., elubo), and so on (African foods, 2017). Culpin (1992) claimed that
grain grinding has been practiced since very early times, when a device
resembling a pestle and mortar was used in the production of meal for
human consumption. The physical states of these grains are modified after
grinding; the grain size is reduced, the grain disposition and shape is
altered to meet the requirements (Ryan and Spencer, 2008). Stones in
modern burrstone mills are made of cast iron and have grooved and ridged
faces (Barbosa et al, 2005). Following the burrstone mills came hammer
mills, which are the most well-known equipment used for
shredding/grinding, in which the material fragment is subjected to complex
forces and the resulting particles are used in the pellet obtaining
technology's following operations (Moiceanu et al., 2012). In light of this, as
technology advances, the introduction of this machine (grinder) made
manifest and come into existence which is less stressful, easy to operate,
low costing and time reduction with a high degree of production volume and
efficiency modifications have also made it possible to be manually and
electro-mechanically operated depending on the choice of design and
speed. Grain grinders are available in the market, which has drastically
reduce the challenges and the problem usually encounter with the manual
method of grinding agricultural products (Hoque et al, 2007). The disc
attrition, also known as the burr mill, is made up of two hard-surfaced
circular plates that are pressed together and rotate with relative motion
(Onwualu et al, 2006). Traditional crops like sorghum, millet, and maize
have been ground for centuries, either with a crude mortar and pestle made
from a tree stump and branch, or with flat stones or rubbing stones
(Okpara, 2015). So for several decades, men were faced with challenges of
particles being grinded alongside with grains with the available grinders,
however, the grinded products were unknowingly consumes by the
consumers and thereby cause series of illness in the human system.
Globally, moving away from traditional foods to more refined Western diets
has been linked to increases in the prevalence of chronic non-
communicable diseases (Suleyman, 2014) of which over the years, the
means to overcome this challenge has been searching for. Most
developing countries like Nigeria experience high mortality rate and this is
exacerbated by poor health delivery and inadequate monitoring of
foodstuffs which results in high intake of unwholesome food. High level of
trace metals in food is a potential source of disease when consumed by
humans and constant monitoring of foodstuff for trace metal contamination
is crucial for the health of the citizenry due to the various diseases they
induce. Unhygienic grinding of grains for foodstuff with old and worn out
grinding machines is the usual practice in Nigerian markets and the
operators do not appreciate the health risks involved in their operations
(Jude and Prosper, 2016).

Heavy metals disrupt basic metabolic functions in two ways: on one hand,
they disrupt the functioning of vital organs and glands such as the heart,
brain, kidney, bone or liver, on the other hand, they move nutrients that are
essential minerals and prevent them from fulfilling their biological functions.
For example, aluminum as a chelator has the ability to capture and prevent
the uptake of essential elements such as calcium, zinc and copper, and
disrupt the proper use of many of them (Dabonne et al, 2010). This metal is
heavily involved in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. It is responsible for the
alteration of neurons (Miu and Beng, 2006; Bharathi et al., 2008).
Depending on the heavy metal in question, toxicity can occur at levels just
above naturally occurring background levels, meaning that consumption of
foods with a high heavy metal concentration can cause acute or chronic
poisoning (Llobet et al, 2003). A domestic grain grinding machine is
equipment used for grinding maize, beans, melon, millet and such other
food crops. This equipment comprises essentially of an electric motor, belt,
pulley, transmission shaft, hopper, mills, spiral conveyor and stands. These
alleviate the rigors and problems we encounter when grinding grains for the
foodstuff. A domestic grain grinding machine is a domestic grinder that is
used to grind various grains of any form without the usual metallic or heavy
particles being eating by human being.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Grinding of grains is one of the oldest cultural techniques of humanity. All
civilizations that feed more or less exclusively from cereals were forced to
develop technology for grinding grain crops. In all traditional civilizations,
grinding is the domain of women. There are two different techniques used
in effecting size reduction of grains. The grinding done by pounding the
grains (mortar and pestle) and the grinding done by crushing the grains
between two stones (grinding stone). The method of pestle and mortar is
the widely used in the West-African country. The use of grinding machine is
one of the simplest methods of processing grains alternative to the
traditional methods of grain processing using stone, mortar and pestle.
However, machines constructed using metal plates results in tearing and
wearing away of the materials of construction. The effect of this is the
contamination of the processed foodstuff. This is known to have negative
health implications when accumulated and consumed in large quantities.
Another problem is that the pounding work using mortar and pestle is
demanding and tiring and the used of grinding stone is very laborious.
Based on this backdrop, This study seeks to develop and optimize a grain
grinding machine tailored to the needs of rural communities. By focusing on
efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use, the project aims to provide
a sustainable solution that can enhance agricultural productivity and
improve the economic well-being of rural inhabitants.

Aim and Objectives of the Study

Aim

The primary aim of this study is to develop and optimize a grain grinding

machine that is efficient, cost-effective and suitable for use in rural

communities which is called a hammer mill.

Objectives

The specific objectives of this study are:

1. To design a grain grinding machine with improved efficiency and

performance.

2. To optimize the machine's performance through systematic testing

and modifications.

3. To evaluate the economic viability of the machine in rural settings.

4. To ensure the machine's durability and ease of maintenance, making

it suitable for rural use.

5. To assess the impact of the optimized grain grinding machine on the

productivity and economic development of rural communities.

Justification/Significance of the Study

The significance of this study lies in its potential to address critical

challenges faced by rural communities in grain processing by developing

an optimized grain grinding machine, this project aims to:

Enhance Productivity

By providing a more efficient method of grain grinding, the machine

will increase the productivity of small-scale farmers and households.

Efficient grinding allows for the processing of larger quantities of grain

in less time, which can significantly boost agricultural output. This

increased productivity can lead to higher incomes for farmers,

enabling them to invest in better farming practices and improve their

overall quality of life.

Reduce Labor

The manual grinding of grains is a labor-intensive task, often

performed by women and children in rural households. This labor can

be physically demanding and time-consuming, limiting the time

available for other productive activities. The introduction of an

optimized grain grinding machine will reduce the physical effort

required for this task, freeing up time for other economic or

educational pursuits. This can contribute to gender equality by

alleviating the burden on women and children and enabling them to

engage in other meaningful activities.

Improve Economic Viability

The cost-effective nature of the optimized grain grinding machine will

make it accessible to rural communities. By reducing the costs

associated with grain processing, the machine can enhance the

economic viability of small-scale farming. Farmers will be able to

retain a larger portion of their income, which can be reinvested into

their farms or used to improve their living conditions. Additionally, the

machine can create new economic opportunities, such as small-scale

grain processing businesses, further stimulating local economies.

Promote Food Security

Efficient grain processing is essential for food security in rural areas.

The optimized grain grinding machine will ensure that households

have adequate access to processed grains for consumption and sale.

By reducing post-harvest losses and improving the quality of

processed grains, the machine will contribute to a stable and secure

food supply. This, in turn, can enhance the nutritional status of rural

populations, leading to better health outcomes and overall well-being

Foster Technological Advancement

The development and optimization of this grain grinding machine will

contribute to technological advancements in agricultural machinery.

By creating a machine tailored to the specific needs of rural

communities, this project will serve as a model for future innovations.

The knowledge and experience gained from this project can inform

the design of other agricultural tools and technologies, promoting a

culture of innovation and technological adoption in rural areas.

 Environmental Impact

The optimized grain grinding machine will also have a positive

environmental impact. Traditional methods of grain grinding often

involve the use of firewood for energy, contributing to deforestation

and environmental degradation. Mechanized grinding can reduce the

reliance on firewood, thereby preserving local forests and reducing

carbon emissions. Additionally, the machine will be designed to

operate efficiently, minimizing energy consumption and reducing its

overall environmental footprint.

In conclusion, the development and optimization of a grain grinding

machine hold significant promise for improving the lives of rural
inhabitants. By addressing the inefficiencies and high costs
associated with traditional and commercial grain grinding methods,
this project aims to foster economic development, enhance
productivity, and promote sustainable agricultural practices in rural
Nigeria and beyond. The machine's potential to enhance food
security, reduce labor, and improve economic viability makes it a
valuable tool for rural development.

Scope of the Work

This project will encompass the following activities:

1. Design Phase: Conceptualizing and creating detailed designs for the

grain grinding machine. This phase will involve the use of CAD

software to create precise models and simulations.

2. Fabrication Phase: Building the machine based on the design

specifications. This will include selecting appropriate materials,

assembling components, and ensuring structural integrity.

3. Optimization Phase: Testing the machine's performance and

making necessary adjustments to enhance efficiency and

effectiveness. This phase will involve iterative testing, data collection,

and analysis.

4. Economic Evaluation: Assessing the cost-effectiveness of the

machine in a rural setting. This will include a cost-benefit analysis and

comparison with existing methods and machines.

5. Usability and Maintenance Assessment: Ensuring the machine is

user-friendly and easy to maintain. This will involve testing the

machine in real-world conditions and gathering feedback from

potential users in rural communities.

The project will focus on grinding common grains such as maize,

millet, and sorghum, which are staples in many rural diets. The
geographical scope will be limited to rural communities in Nigeria,
with the potential for broader application in similar settings in other
developing countries.