Separating Saffron Flower Parts Using Vertical Air Column

The separation possibility of stigma from the other parts of saffron flower using its aerodynamic properties was investigated and a vertical air column was designed on the basis of the obtained results. Terminal velocities of three parts of saffron flower, including petal, stigma and anther within four days after harvest were studied. Significant difference between terminal velocity of stigma (2.4-2.8 m/s) and the other parts (1-2 m/s) of flower on the first day after harvesting, revealed that accurate separation using air stream is possible. A vertical air column applying a fan with a flow rate of 1700 m/h and a static pressure of 0.82 cm was designed for stigma separation of saffron flower from the other parts. The duct of introduced air column was sized equal to 40.6 × 40.6 cm for main, 40.6 × 33 and 40.6 × 18 cm for lateral branches. Keywords—Design, flower, saffron, air column.