Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Optimization of Process Parameters of a Conductive Rotary Dryer for Gari Production
by L. A. Sanni, O. O. Odukogbe, M. O. Faborode, R. O. Ibrahim

Abstract:
In this study, the Taguchi method was used to optimize the parameters of a conductive rotary dryer which was developed for the roasting of wet cassava meal (Manihot esculenta Crantz) for gari production. The optimum levels of batch quantity (kg), vapour extraction rate (m3/s) and drum temperature (oC), at which good quality gari was produced were 5 kg, 0.0075 m3/s and 190 oC respectively. Both signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the three parameters respectively contributed 27.46 %, 10.41 % and 42.89 % to the quality characteristic of the gari with at least 99 % confidence. By increasing the drum temperature from 190oC to 200oC at batch quantities of 5 kg and 6 kg, the swelling index of the gari increased from 2.63 to 3.11 and 3.20 respectively. The use of the conductive rotary dryer for roasting gari removed most of the limitations associated with the traditional method. By scaling up the capacity of the dryer, it can fit into an industrial process line for commercial production of gari, and contribute to regional food security.

Keywords: Taguchi method, optimization, process parameters, conductive rotary dryer, gari

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