Development of a Thermodynamically Assisted Hybrid Desiccant / Solar Drying Unit for Grain Drying and Storage to Prevent Aflatoxin Contamination

Overview
Overview

Project Objectives:

The main objective of the project will therefore be to optimize and upscale an existing hybrid solar collector / SAP maize granary and drier and to carry out field trials with farmers. The specific objectives are:

  1. Modelling and optimizing the air flow and granary size using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for maximum drying effect in larger hybrid desiccant / solar driers
  2. Determination of the optimum position, surface areas and efficiency of super absorbent polymer (SAP) in absorbing and releasing moisture
  3. Socio-economic analysis and field trials of the granary with farmers
Sponser

Volkswagen Foundation: Knowledge for Tomorrow – Cooperative Research Projects in Sub Saharan Africa – Engineering Sciences

Principle Instigator
Dr. Duncan Onyango Mbuge, University of Nairobi
Abstract

Project Title:

Development of a Thermodynamically Assisted Hybrid Desiccant / Solar Drying Unit for Grain Drying and Storage to Prevent Aflatoxin Contamination

 

Project Objectives:

The main objective of the project will therefore be to optimize and upscale an existing hybrid solar collector / SAP maize granary and drier and to carry out field trials with farmers. The specific objectives are:

  1. Modelling and optimizing the air flow and granary size using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for maximum drying effect in larger hybrid desiccant / solar driers
  2. Determination of the optimum position, surface areas and efficiency of super absorbent polymer (SAP) in absorbing and releasing moisture
  3. Socio-economic analysis and field trials of the granary with farmers

 

Funding Agency:

Volkswagen Foundation: Knowledge for Tomorrow – Cooperative Research Projects in Sub Saharan Africa – Engineering Sciences

 

Name of Postdoctoral Fellow:

Dr. Duncan Onyango Mbuge, University of Nairobi

 

Project Team Members:

Prof. Werner Hofacker – Mentor, University of Konstanz

Prof. L.O. Gumbe – Mentor, Technical University of Kenya

Prof. Seyoum Workneh, Mentor, University of KwaZulu Natal

Dt. Franz Roman - German Postdoc

Mr. P. K. Kangethe – Ph.D. Student, University of Nairobi

Mr. Frankline Mwiti – M.Sc. Student, University of Nairobi

M/s Sheryl Apondi Achiya – M.Sc. Student, University of Nairobi

Project Status
Current