Articles
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SOLAR AND OPEN SUNDRYING OF CASSAVA CHIPS IN UGANDA
Article number
380_43
Pages
274 – 282
Language
Abstract
Traditional processing of cassava in Uganda are outlined detailing the main constraints.
An experimental scale-neutral cassava drying system is described, comparing performance of a set of reed-mesh and metal wire-mesh open-sun driers with that of the natural, convection solar drier.
In the experiment, both the wire-mesh and reed-mesh tray driers performed well in the drying of cassava chips in good weather, and at loading rates up to 20–25 kg m-2. The performance of the natural convection solar drier was very good in clear, sunny weather, producing clean, mold-free cassava chips in 2.5–3 drying days.
Under prolonged cloudy conditions however, the performance of the solar drier deteriorated significantly, at times below that of the open-sun driers and often with substantial mold growth on the chips.
The driers are to be tested on-farm in six cassava growing districts of Uganda.
An experimental scale-neutral cassava drying system is described, comparing performance of a set of reed-mesh and metal wire-mesh open-sun driers with that of the natural, convection solar drier.
In the experiment, both the wire-mesh and reed-mesh tray driers performed well in the drying of cassava chips in good weather, and at loading rates up to 20–25 kg m-2. The performance of the natural convection solar drier was very good in clear, sunny weather, producing clean, mold-free cassava chips in 2.5–3 drying days.
Under prolonged cloudy conditions however, the performance of the solar drier deteriorated significantly, at times below that of the open-sun driers and often with substantial mold growth on the chips.
The driers are to be tested on-farm in six cassava growing districts of Uganda.
Authors
W. R. Odogola
Keywords
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