Modeling of a centrifuge for cassava mash (Manihot species) dewatering

Abstract

In this study, cassava (Manihot species) dewatering centrifuge was modeled as a multivariable machine using dimensional analysis. The efficiency and throughput of the centrifuge were modeled. Also, responses such as product moisture, product recovery, effluent, mass number, processing time number and power consumption number were modeled. The independent and dependent (responses) variables were measured. Their values such as their coefficient of determination, standard and percentage errors were compared. The correlation coefficients for the dependent variables R² = 0.893, 0.999, 0.998, 0.979, 0.906 and 0.987, respectively, are clear evidence of high degrees of correlation between measured and predicted results. The result of residual analysis between measured experimental results and predicted models ranged between −3.3401% and 2.6009%, −0.3043% and 0.3699%, −0.3625% and 0.7631%, −280.33 and 261.53, −284.68 and 279.47, and −240,148 and 260,358. Percentage (%) errors were between −21.65% and 11.36%, −0.40% and 0.48%, −1.87% and 7.23%, −45.35% and 70.1%, −66.76% and 32.86%, and −47.33% and 47.78%. Their values showed no significant differences between measured and predicted results.

Keywords:

• centrifuge
• pool depth number
• speed ratio
• mass number
• power number
• time number

Acknowledgement

I acknowledge the National Root Crops Research Umudike for providing the laboratories used in the study. I also acknowledge Prof. S.O. Enibe for his contributions to the success of this work. I thank my sweet wife for her support towards the success of this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.