In peanut processing, shelling is a crucial step that affects seed viability and food quality. Based on different applications, shelling machines are categorized into seed and conventional shellers, which differ significantly in design principles, performance metrics, and usage scenarios. Below is a scientific comparison and application guide:
I Core Design Differences
| Parameter | Seed Sheller | Conventional Sheller |
| Shelling Principle | Gentle separation (airflow + vibration) or low-impact compression | High-speed rolling, friction, or impact |
| Breakage Rate | ≤1% (per GB/T 21962-2020) | 3-8% (partial kernel breakage allowed) |
| Purity Standards | No chemical residue, sorting accuracy >99% | Meets food safety standards (e.g., shell debris <5%) |
| Material | Food-grade stainless steel/ceramic | Standard steel or wear-resistant alloy |
| Efficiency | Low capacity (50-200 kg/h), higher energy use | High throughput (500-2000 kg/h), lower energy cost |
II. Key Performance Comparisons
Seed Viability Protection
Seed Shellers: Utilize multi-stage, gentle shelling methods (e.g., rubber roller compression and airflow separation) to preserve seed integrity, ensuring germination rates of over 95%.Conventional Shellers: High-speed rollers or hammers may cause 10% kernel breakage, resulting in reduced germination rates of 60-70%.
Impurity Removal & Sorting Seed Shellers: Equipped with optical sorting systems and dual-channel vibrating screens to remove immature, moldy, or broken shells (purity >98%).Conventional Shellers: Rely on basic vibrating screens; residual shells often require manual removal.
Cost and Maintenance of Seed Shellers: High upfront costs (¥50,000–200,000/unit) and complex maintenance (e.g., sensor calibration).Conventional Shellers: Affordable (¥5,000–50,000/unit), simple structure, and easy maintenance.
III. Application Scenarios & Selection Guide
| Scenario | Recommended Machine | Technical Focus |
| Seed Breeding/Research | Seed Sheller | Prioritize infrared sorting and humidity control (e.g., PETKUS, Germany) |
| Food Processing (Oil/Snacks) | Conventional Sheller | High-capacity models (e.g., Shandong Hualong 6BH-800, 1 ton/h) |
| Organic Small-Scale Farming | Compact Seed Sheller | Balance low breakage and moderate capacity (200 kg/h) |
| Industrial Preprocessing | Automated Conventional Sheller Line | Integrated dust removal and shell-kernel separation systems |
IV. Technological Innovations
Seed Sheller Advancements Bionic Shelling: Mimics manual shelling with AI vision to identify weak points near the hilum (breakage rate <0.5%).Cryogenic Shelling: Operates at -10°C to exploit increased shell brittleness, minimizing mechanical damage.
Conventional Sheller Upgrades Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) to adjust speed based on peanut size (e.g., large vs. small varieties).Smart Separation: Airflow density differences enable precise sorting of shells, kernels, and unshelled peanuts.
V. Why Not Interchange Machines?
- Seed Shellers for Food Processing: High costs and low throughput double production expenses (>¥0.8/kg vs. ¥0.2/kg for conventional machines).
- Conventional Shellers for Seeds: High breakage rates lead to replanting costs (¥300–500/ha).
VI. Industry Data
- Seed Standards: ISTA requires peanut seed germination rates ≥85% and breakage ≤2%.
- Cost-Benefit Analysis: Seed shellers add value (a ¥2,000–3,000/ton premium for high-quality seeds) despite higher initial costs.
Conclusion: The distinction between seed and conventional shellers arises from product value differentiation and technical precision requirements. Seed producers must prioritize specialized shellers to ensure quality, while food processors should focus on efficiency. While advancements in robotics and AI may blur these boundaries, targeted machine selection remains essential today.
