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https://e-catalogs.taat-africa.org/gov/technologies/pneumatic-cassava-dryers
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Pneumatic Cassava Dryers

Low-cost mechanized drying of cassava using Flash Dryers

The equipment "Mechanized Drying of Cassava using Flash Dryers (Pneumatic Dryers)" is a vital component in the cassava processing chain. The process involves the wet product entering the drying duct and being carried by a hot airstream, utilizing negative or positive pressure conveying systems in pneumatic dryers. As the material is transported, heat is transferred to the particles, drying the material as it moves through the system. A cyclone is commonly used at the end of the drying duct to separate the dry product from the drying air. The technology's large surface area of product particles allows for high drying rates and short residence times, facilitating the drying of heat-sensitive materials at relatively high temperatures without overheating. The flash dryer is comprised of a feeding point, a drying duct carrying cassava grits dried by a hot airstream, an air blower, and a cyclone for separating the dried material from the drying air. This innovative technology significantly aids in efficiently and economically converting cassava into higher value-added products like starch and high-quality cassava flour, revolutionizing the cassava processing industry.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

8•8

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 8/9

Positive or neutral impact

Adults 18 and over
Positive medium
The poor
Positive medium
Under 18
Positive medium
Women
Positive high

Positive or neutral impact

Climate adaptability
It adapts somewhat well
Biodiversity
It doesn't hurt them
Carbon footprint
It doesn't reduce emissions at all
Environment
It makes a little difference
Water usage
It uses the same amount of water

Problem

  • The challenge of efficient and cost-effective of dryers. 
  • Heat-sensitive materials 
  • High residence times of dryers.

Solution

  • The Flash dryers have proven to be the most economical and widely used drying system for cassava particularly for materials with low moisture content. 
  • They enable the production of starch, high-quality cassava flour (HQCF), and powdered fufu efficiently. 
  • This technology successfully addresses the challenges by providing a system that ensures a shorter residence time for drying, high drying rates, and suitability for heat-sensitive materials, thus preventing overheating during the drying process. 

Key points to design your project

Mechanized drying of cassava using flash fryers presents an efficient solution for processing cassava, enhancing productivity, and reducing labor requirements and costs. It aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 2, 5, and 13 by improving agricultural productivity.

To integrate this technology into your project, follow these steps and requirements:

  • Promote the mechanized drying technology through demonstration sessions at the community level.
  • Evaluate the size and number of flash fryers needed for your project, considering cost efficiencies compared to traditional drying methods.

Factor in delivery costs, import duties, and taxes, considering the technology may be sourced from countries like Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Zambia.

Engage a team of trainers to provide comprehensive training and post-training support for technology usage and maintenance.

Develop communication materials such as flyers, videos, and radio broadcasts to raise awareness about the benefits of mechanized cassava drying.

Collaborate with agricultural development institutes and food industry stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of the technology in your country.

More

IP

Open source / open access

Countries with a green colour
Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour
Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour
Tested
Egypt Equatorial Guinea Ethiopia Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burundi Burkina Faso Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Côte d’Ivoire Eritrea Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Cameroon Kenya Libya Liberia Madagascar Mali Malawi Morocco Mauritania Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Republic of the Congo Rwanda Zambia Senegal Sierra Leone Zimbabwe Somalia South Sudan Sudan South Africa Eswatini Tanzania Togo Tunisia Chad Uganda Western Sahara Central African Republic Lesotho
Countries where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country Tested Adopted
Cameroon Tested Adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo Tested Adopted
Ghana Tested Adopted
Liberia Tested Adopted
Madagascar Not tested Adopted
Malawi Tested Adopted
Nigeria Tested Adopted
Sierra Leone Tested Adopted
Tanzania Tested Adopted
Uganda Tested Adopted
Zambia Tested Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ Subtropic - warm Subtropic - cool Tropic - warm Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Sustainable Development Goal 2: zero hunger
Goal 2: zero hunger
Sustainable Development Goal 8: decent work and economic growth
Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

  1. Factory Setup: Prepare a suitable factory building or dedicated space equipped with other cassava processing machines for the installation of the flash dryer.
  2. Cassava Preparation: Process fresh cassava roots using appropriate machinery to create wet but free-flowing granules.
  3. Drying Process: Place the wet cassava granules into the flash dryer (pneumatic dryer) for the drying process.
  4. Drying Completion: Once dried, take the dried granules out of the dryer.
  5. Milling: Mill the dried granules to obtain the desired flour for further use or processing.

Last updated on 22 May 2024