Post on 17-Dec-2015
Biomass Logistics and Particle Technology Group
Development of Purdue Improved Drying Stove (PIDS) for Grain Drying
Klein E. Ileleji, PhD.
Associate Professor & Extension Engineer
Associate Prof. Mechanical Engineering (by courtesy)
Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department
Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
Project Team Purdue University: Klein Ileleji (PD), Mohan Dutta, Titilayo Okoror,
Corinne Alexander and Jacob Ricker-Gilbert (PIDS Development) Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
(KNUST), Kumasi: Ahmad Addo, Komla Dzisi, Ato Bart-Plange (PIDS Testing in Ghana)
CSIR-Food Research Institute, Accra: Kwame Vowotor, Kafui Kpodo (Mycotoxin and Pest Mgt. Impact Assessment)
Project in-country coordinator: Kwabena Adu-gyamfi Other Collaborators and stakeholders:
USDA-FAS George Opit, OSU and Sam McNeill, UK (Rice Husk Ash as
Grain Protectant) ACDI/VOCA ADVANCE Project Ghana Grains Council
Biomass Logistics and Particle Technology Group
Acknowledgements
Acknowledge Purdue Global Food Security
Initiative and Global Policy Research Institute
(GPRI) for providing the seed funding for this
project
Problem Statement During fact finding visit (USDA-FAS Project)
in October 2010, drying was identified as a major problem affecting the ability of farmers to maintain quality of grain in storage.
Farmers primarily depended on open air solar drying after harvesting high-moisture grain during the major season when harvest occurs and the minor season rains begin.
Grain Drying Challenges in the Humid Tropics
High post-harvest losses (PHL) from improperly dried grains.
Health problems related to aflatoxin contamination.
The yield potential in grain is inhibited by high PHL.
No alternative technology to sun drying yet available.
Exploratory Research Trip in August When: August 6 to 12, 2011 Who was involved at Purdue:
Klein Ileleji, Ag. & Biological Engineering Corinne Alexander, Ag. Economics Titilayo Okoror, Public Health
Goal: Collect data from target community using culture-centered approach (CCA) to problem solving, understand and affirm that the problem targeted is accurate, meet with project partners and potential collaborators.
Open Air Solar Drying of Maize in Ejura Market, Ghana
Are Purdue professors playing in corn being dried or helping Out?
A pile of ear corn waiting to be shelled and dried in Ejura
Commercial Drying Site in Techiman
Focus Group Discussion with Farmers in Ejura
Biomass Logistics and Particle Technology Group
Outcome of trip Successfully conducted focus group
sessions at two locations, Techiman in Brong-Ahafo region and Ejura in Ashanti region with a total of 72 participants (Traders, Farmers and Extension workers)
Collected 10 hours of audio data from focus groups.
Met with our stakeholders Confirmed that we are on the right track
Outcome of Trip Received good feedback from agencies:
KNUST and CSIR-FPI are on board with project goals. UN WFP and IFAD interested in PIDS technology and
will support. ACDI-VOCA ADVANCE: Interested and will support USAID Ghana: Interested and will support
The big questions was PIDS performance which needs to be proven by extensive testing – quality degradation of corn from smoke and soot were raised
Outcome of Trip We ascertained that drying is a major bottleneck in the
grain value chain which affects: Post-harvest losses Grain quality and health Grain productivity Income generation Lifelihood
Data is currently being transcribed from Twi language to English and will be analyzed further
Biomass Logistics and Particle Technology Group
Some results of focus group survey compiled by:Corrine Alexander, PhD.
Michael Jones, MS.
Agricultural Economics Department
Survey of Traders, Farmers and Extension Agents (n=72)
Demographic Average or PercentageAge 46.2Male 79.2%Female 20.8%Married 86.1%Children 91.7%Have Farmland 93.0%Farm Size (hectares) 23.13Farm Size (hectares; median) 4.52% Land for Maize Production 67.0%How long maize lasts (months) 7.3Purchasing Maize 17.4%
How is Maize Dried?
Maize Drying* Farmers Traders Extension
Sun 94% 65% 85%
Machine drying/Dryer 0% 35% 0%
Crib 6% 0% 5%
Keep more days before harvest
0% 0% 5%
Air dry at barn 3% 0% 0%
Drying floor 0% 0% 5%
*Can sum to more than 100% because some use more than one drying method.
How is Maize Dryness Determined?
Moisture Test* Farmers Traders Extension
Teeth 51% 50% 82%
Sound 32% 28% 29%
Hands 16% 11% 24%
Moisture meter/ Machine determines/ Instrument
0% 28% 11%
Leaves turn yellowish 3% 0% 0%
Whole plant becomes dry 0% 0% 6%
Cobs brown/ upside down 6% 0% 0%
Color 3% 0% 0%
*Can sum to more than 100% because some use more than one test.
Biomass Logistics and Particle Technology Group
Objectives
Develop a low-cost grain dryer which will be
integrated into the existing homestead cooking
stove for simultaneous cooking and drying of
maize.
Agro-Ecological Zones in Ghana
WETTER
DRYER
Source: WFP
Major focus area for technology development and demonstration are Brong Ahafo and Ashanti regions of Ghana
Focus on pilot study in Ghana
Biomass Logistics and Particle Technology Group
PIDS Concept and Testing
Acknowledge Undergraduate Researchers:Nathaniel Bergman (ME, DURI Intern)Rachel Sinders (ME, DURI Intern)Megan Shafer (ME, DURI Intern)Zane Graper (ABE, DURI Intern)Jinhyun Kim (CHE, Special Project)
Biomass Logistics and Particle Technology Group
Homestead grain granary Internal structure
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Opportunities for an Improved Stove
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PIDS Holistic Concept
Dry with biomass ag. residues (target 80% of fuel needs)
Target drying entire corn harvested within one week
Use rice husk ash as grain protectant from insects
Store dry grain using PICS technology
PIDS Technology (PIDS-I Prototype)
• PIDS technology combines an efficient cooking stove and crop dryer in one unit.
• PIDS concept is an indigenous idea which has been optimized with engineering.
• PIDS can utilize corn cobs as fuel to reduce drying energy and save firewood use.
• PIDS will enable PICS to be used for other grains grown in the humid tropics.
Biomass Logistics and Particle Technology Group
Drying rates of corn at target temperatures(Using convective air-oven tests)
PIDS Testings Evaluate heat distribution and determine maximum temperature
rise. Targeting 70oC (158oF) drying temperature. Determined dryer capacity and drying rate Tested two types of fuels (wood and corn cobs) Determined corn drying rate using lab study Understand how to control smoke and flame Evaluate corn quality (by smell and product quality) Evaluate particulate release Evaluate energy utilization and efficiency Redesign PIDS-I Prototype Document dryer operation
Biomass Logistics and Particle Technology Group
Data collection during tests Temperatures in each
heating chamber, heat transfer plenum, fire box and ambient
Determined drying chamber capacity
Determined drying rate for a 2 ha farm
Biomass Logistics and Particle Technology Group
Temperature Distribution Data in PIDS-I in Heat Transfer Plenum
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Temperature Distribution Data in PIDS-I in Drying Tray
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Some major findings• Smoke and coloring from soot is a problem• Achieved the minimum target temperature of
60˚C in Chambers 1 and 2• Heat loss was a problem• Need to understand the use of different
biomass fuels• Wind can be a problem during operation• Need to work on modeling using CFD to
understand heat transfer dynamics
Biomass Logistics and Particle Technology Group
Yes, you’re right, PIDS make great hot dogs!
Questions?