Abstract
The performance of an AflaSTOP dryer which utilises biomass energy for drying maize was investigated. The drying behaviour of maize grains in the dryer was also investigated using ten (10) thin-layer mathematical models. The models were compared based on coefficient of determination (R2) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values between experimental and predicted moisture ratios. At an average drying air temperature of 50°C and drying air velocity of 2.5 m/s, maize at average moisture content (MC) of 17.5% (wb) was dried to an average MC of 11.5% (wb) in three (3) hours. The drying and thermal efficiency were calculated as 81.1% and 29.6% respectively. Overall, drying took place in the falling rate period. The Logistics model was best to describe the thin-layer drying kinetics of maize in the dryer with R2 value of 0.9902 and RMSE value of 0.04908.
Highlights
Maize (Zea mays L.) is an economic staple food in the world especially Sub-Sahara Africa
The models were compared based on coefficient of determination (R2) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values between experimental and predicted moisture ratios
This study analysed the performance of the AflaSTOP dryer and successfully predicted the drying behaviour of maize in the dryer using thin layer models
Summary
Maize (Zea mays L.) is an economic staple food in the world especially Sub-Sahara Africa. In Sub-Saharan Africa, it is considered as the most important cereal crop which is cultivated across a large range of ecological zones. According to [1], maize makes a significant contribution towards food security in Sub-Saharan Africa by contributing over 30% of the daily dietary energy consumption. Drying of moist materials is a complicated process involving simultaneous heat and mass transfer [2]. It is recommended that the drying air temperature does not exceed 55 ̊C for seed maize (restricted to avoid killing the germ) and 90 ̊C for consumption (restricted to avoid cooking the maize kernel and causing fissures of the outer most layer) [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
