Description
ABSTRACT
The competing needs for cassava cut across both human and animal consumption. It is fast becoming a popular raw material in industrial production and is now a preferred material for making bio fuels and many other products. Several small scale cassava farmers are making a fortune and changing their lives through this business.
In Africa most rural people still use hand cassava grinding methods to prepare their daily food while some use fuel powered cassava grinding method. This takes a lot of time and is an arduous work mainly carried out by woman and children while fuel powered consumes lot of money for fuel most expecially in countries such as Nigeria where cost of buying fuel is very high. Therefore the introduction of solar powered motorized mills can improve their living conditions. Therefore a new PV-driven cassava with a diameter of 150 mm and a maximum capacity of 3 kg per hour was constructed and optimized. By optimizing the design and operation of the mill the maximum power requirement is 3kw motor. Using 4kw PV-panels and a battery of 85 Ah, and an inverter of 4kw will also be used to power the motor, 15-60 kg of grain can be processed per day. This paper describes and evaluate the influence of the type of cassava mini grinding business for rural communities.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The production, processing and marketing of cassava provides a major source of income for 450 million people, often women and the poorest, in Nigeria. Cassava is not only strategically important as a food source and famine reserve, combining high calorific efficiency with versatile low cost/input, reliable and flexible production, but is now seen as a pro-poor vehicle for economic development (Beshada, 2016). However, cassava farmers, particularly from remote areas, have restricted market access for their produce, because the roots are highly perishable, bulky and expensive to transport. Processing by small-scale farmers, to produce dry, shelf-stable products can be cost-effective and provide a means of producing value-addition close to the supply source. If large enterprises start using dried cassava products, and large numbers of small farmers can supply this new demand a substantial number of sustainable, market-led, new livelihood opportunities will be created (Carruthers, 2012).
In adding value to cassava, technology has a significant role to play. For small scale commercial operations, it is important that the appropriate technology be adopted. Appropriate for example in terms of fabrication materials to meet required food safety standards, capacity to meet targeted product demand, robustness, design and operation, with minimum fuel consumption, where applicable. Many common cassava processing units are not fit for commercial purpose and were originally donated in pro poor development projects for household utilization. There may be a need to build local capacity in fabrication and maintenance of process technology in the form of technology transfer. In terms of small to medium scale cassava processing, Nigeria have developed appropriate technology that can be transferred to other less advanced cassava processing countries such as Angola. Technology alone however does not yield results (Chinsman, 2015). Small-scale producers and processors need to know how to identify profitable market opportunities, differentiate their produce, and work with other stakeholders in the market chain to meet changing consumer demands. To engage effectively, they need to gain newskills.
Considering the challenge that most of the cassava grinding enterprises is facing which is basically on high rate of fuel consumption of their grinding machine and high cost of fuel in the filling station. Now, technology has provides a way out of the mess by providing a mini cassava grinding machine that uses solar energy as an alternative power supply(Chinsman, 2015). The aim of this work is to evaluate the pv powered grinding machine as an alternative power supply for mini grinding machine for cassava grinding business men in rural areas.
Statement of the problem
In Nigeria, cassava grinding is still accomplished using fuel or disel operating engine, using this machine driving the pulley of the grinding machine which rotates the grater that grinds the cassava but this method consumes resources in that the cost of buying the fuel is very high. Also, in rural areas with a more scattered population distribution, people often have to walk long distances. This indicates that the grinding process takes a considerable amount of time, irrespective of the method of grinding. Reducing the time and energy spent on grinding could increase the time available for other more productive activities. Therefore, the development of in expensive motorized mills with a low capacity could help to improve the living conditions and the livelihood in rural areas of developing countries.
However, while the power requirement to drive such a mill is 50 to 200 W, the smallest available standard diesel or petrol engines provide 2 to 3 kW. Furthermore the investment and operation costs are high and the fuel and spare parts supply is unreliable. In contrast to this electric drives are cheaper, available at almost any power rating, require almost no maintenance and are simple in operation. However, an electrical grid connection is not available in most cases. Therefore, considering the low power requirement and the typically high daily solar radiation of 5 to 6 kWh per m² in many tropical and subtropical areas, a AC- motor with a power supply from a PV-generator is a promising and cost effective alternative for the drive
Aim of the study
The main aim of the work is to assess the context within which the micro-enterprises can take place and whether one should go ahead to prepare a business plan as a first step towards the establishment of the micro-enterprise for renewable energy services for rural communities. The overall goal is to create employment in the energy sector for cassava grinding enterprises in rural communities in Nigeria and to save resources.
Objective of the study
At the end of this work, student involved shall be able to:
- Know the importance of having an alternative power supply in a mini grinding machine.
- Estimate the cost of using an alternative power supply in a mini cassava grinding business.
- Know the impact of using an alternative power supply in a business.
- Replace fuel powered mini grinding machine with pv-powered mini grinding machine for cassava grinding business.
Scope / limitation of the study
This study only covers the use of solar energy as the alternative power supply in cassava grinding enterprise for the rural communities. This PV- power source only replaces the old fuel operated cassava grinding machine.
Methodology
The method in this work covers the comparing the performance of a conventional grinding machine (fueled) with a newly constructed solar grinding machine proved to be suitable for grinding cassava at feed rates of 2 to 8 kg/h if connected to a PV-generator with power rating 4kW and a battery with a capacity of 85 Ah.
Expected Results
At the end of the work we shall evaluate the operation and performance of a conventional grinding machine (fueled) with a newly constructed solar grinding machine proved to be suitable for grinding cassava at feed rates of 2 to 8 kg/h if connected to a PV-generator with power rating 4kW and a battery with a capacity of 85 Ah.
3.7 Project time chart/schedule
| december | january | February | Match | |
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Conclusion
At the end of this work, the aim of this work which is to “assess the context within which the micro-enterprises can take place and whether one should go ahead to prepare a business plan as a first step towards the establishment of the micro-enterprise for renewable energy services for rural communities” will be achieved.
