Development of a Combined Conveyor and Heat Extractor for use in Pupuru Processing Plant

Cassava (Manihot esculenta, Crantz), when processed into food for human consumption yields different taste of food products, such as pupuru. Pupuru is highly rich essential body nutrients However, the traditional methods of processing it is unproductive when compared to the energy input and incapable of meeting the global demands. These challenges have triggered efforts towards mechanizing its processing, with the intention of alleviating them. Based on this, this study focused on development of an automatic combined conveyor-heat extractor to be utilized in achieving these tasks in 10 kg/batch pupuru processing plant. An automatic combined conveyor and heat extractor was developed with locally sourced materials. The machine, basically, comprises the: feeding system, screw conveyor, gear reduction motor, extraction fans and frame. Five set of experiments were carried out in order to evaluate its performance. The results revealed that the machine has average throughput capacity of 24.47 kg/h and is capable of reducing the heat content of pupuru lumps from 80 oC to 27 oC. The results also revealed that the performance of the machine improves with decrease in the moisture content and increase in the heat content. It was concluded that that the incorporation of this machine into the processing line is an advantage in enhancing food security