ABSTRACT

This design work presents an improved centrifuge for dewatering cassava mash that will extract affluent from the mash for any genotype of cassava. The methods adopted in the execution of this project work include; Machine design, Machine development, Machine evaluation and Optimization to compare the present machine to that of the previous designs. There is need for the hygienic processing of dewatering cassava mash for further use as starch. Successful conditions in the commercial area that mash is been dewatered as staple food show a susceptibility to food contamination. Both home and industrial scale cassava dewatering were improved in the design and fabrication. Machine efficiency, safety factors, and portability were considered in this research. The receiver hopper was carefully design at the angle 23°so that the mash can flow smoothly while filter basket, shaft, collector and conveyor auger were modified using a stainless steel. Also, the frame of the machine is made up of angle iron at the four corners for support and holding the top bearings are mild steel metals to keep it in place and withstand vibration. Pulleys that were made up of cast iron were selected with the reference to the machineries' reference manual and the desired speed ratio of the prime mover of the filter basket. The screw conveyor and the basket end plate were design using mild steel to serve a dual purpose; cover for the filter basket and shaft for the basket bearing while blower was also introduced for drying of mash faster and yarn used for preventing leakages. The machine runs on a single phase, 5HP electric motor, at a speed of 1440 rpm. The capacity of the dewatering fabricated was 158kg/hr with 30% reduction in size and 50 % reduction in price was achieved.