The development of a through circulation solar heated air drier for cassava chips

A pilot-scale through circulation drier, using solar heated air, has been developed for drying cassava chips. The design of the drier system, which includes a bottom ventilated drying bin, centrifugal fan, and solar collector, is described. In the evaluation trials the variables studied were drier loading (37.5- 150.0 kg/m(2)), airflow (11-18 m(3)/min m(2)), and varying air conditions in the range 24-28 degrees Celsius and 62-72 percent RH. Design parameters for drier scale-up are presented. (AS)