Roller press construction guide

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a perennial root crop native to South America and the main source of calories for many people living in sub-Saharan Africa. However, two days after harvest, the cassava roots become unsuitable for human consumption. To extend its shelf-life, the roots need to be processed into flour; a dried product that is used as the basis for many dishes. To process cassava into flour, the roots are peeled, grated, pressed, pulverized, dried, and milled. From those steps, drying is the most energy-intensive one. Therefore, dewatering before drying is an important step that results in significant energy savings. Dewatering is the step where water is removed by mechanical means instead of by evaporation. Cassava dewatering can be considered as an expression operation, a separation process where the water is expelled from the wet cassava mash by pressure. In sub-Saharan African countries cassava dewatering is done using presses. Those presses usually have a perforated cage and a top piston. The mash, obtained by grating the roots, are placed in bags, and those bags are piled inside the cage one on top of the other. When the press is full, the piston is slowly lowered, squeezing the material, and forcing the water out, through the bags and the perforations in the cage. After pressing, the piston is raised and the bags containing the press cake are removed to be pulverized. This kind of presses are popular because of their simplicity and low cost, but it has three major drawbacks: work drudgery, inconsistent reduction in moisture, and low throughput. Those drawbacks are associated with the fact that those presses operate in batches, instead of continuously. Continuous presses are used widely for the expression of fruit juices and oils from various oilseeds. They require less labour than batch operated presses, have higher throughput and their operation is more consistent. However, continuously operated dewatering equipment suitable to cassava processing centres in sub-Saharan Africa is not available. Therefore, the objective of this working paper is to provide instructions on how to build a simple and low-cost continuously operated cassava dewatering equipment

Pellet machine construction guide

Fish farming has long been seen as a promising solution to combat food insecurity in low-income countries. However, the lack of local fish feed production has been a major obstacle to its success. Despite various initiatives launched over the years to promote fish farming, the lack of access to fish feed has hindered their intended impact, as insufficient feed results in underdeveloped fish stocks, poor harvests, and limited income. Simulation-driven Participatory Technology Development was used to develop a Pellet Machine needed for on-site fish feed production. The machinery produces high-quality fish feed and empowered the rural communities to produce their own fish feed using locally available resources

Developing an innovative press to solve a cassava processing bottleneck

News Blog 2021: Developing an innovative press to solve a cassava processing bottleneck - Marcelo Precoppe

Training Course Report: determining energy efficiency of dryers

Training Course Report - No abstract available

Solar-powered multipurpose hammermill (Part 2)

This guide is part of the project entitled Design and development of direct-coupled photovoltaic powered agri-processing machinery, funded by Agri-Tech Catalyst (Innovate UK). It was prepared to instruct Mr Emmanuel K. Duah (First Products Enterprise’s Managing Director) on how to build a novel solar-powered multipurpose hammermill to be used for cassava processing. The Construction Guide is separate in 2 parts. Part 1 instructs the construction of the hammermill itself. Part 2 instructs the construction of the cyclone separator and its filter bags

Multipurpose hammermill: construction guide

Efforts to promote fish farming in low-income countries aim to improve food security for rural communities living in poverty. However, many initiatives have fallen short due to the lack of local fish feed production, resulting in underdeveloped fish stocks and poor harvests. To address this challenge, Simulation-driven Participatory Technology Development was used to create machinery for on-site fish feed production

Cassava peeling machine: construction guide

A cassava peeling machine with rotating brushes instead of abrasive surfaces, allowing to reduce material waste and minimize peel retention. Construction guide delivered to INTERMECH ENGINEERING LIMITED in fulfilment of the project Prototype development of an innovative cassava peeling machine funded by GRE Innovation Fund

Continuous flow cassava flour factory

A "factory-inside-a-container" that includes a roll crusher, two screw conveyors, a roller press, a pneumatic dryer, and a hammermill. It can process 13,200 kg of fresh cassava roots per day. Construction guide delivered to KARDI DRYERS LTD., in fulfilment of the project Design and construction of a novel, small-scale, cassava starch factory funded by HEIF

Capacity building on energy performance evaluation of a pneumatic dryer with adjustable drying-duct length

Capacity building on energy performance evaluation of a pneumatic dryer with adjustable drying-duct length. Back-to-office report prepared by Marcelo Precoppe

What you need to know before buying a CASSAVA PEELER

When buying cassava processing equipment, it is important to ask the correct questions. This series of short booklets guides the cassava processor on buying the machinery they need, helping them to discern what equipment will be suitable for their operation. For example, there are many steps involved in successful cassava processing: peeling, grating, pressing, drying – and knowing how to choose the correct machinery is essential. These booklets are short, well-illustrated and easy to read and each one explains very clearly, a different step of the process and how to select the right machinery for the job. The booklets take into account cost, food safety, operational safety and how to ensure successful and efficient outcomes for the cassava processor