Techno-Economic Analysis of a Crossflow Column Dryer for Maize Drying in Ghana

Abstract

In Ghana, smallholder maize farmers continue to serve as the primary contributor to maize production. These farmers, however, still face challenges of access to appropriate, effective, and efficient drying systems. They continue to depend on open sun drying, which leads to high post-harvest losses. In this study, a 500 kg portable column dryer with a biomass burner heat source was evaluated using maize. Indicators such as drying rate, drying efficiency, and moisture extraction rate were used to assess its technical performance. The economic performance of the drying system was appraised using Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR), and Payback Period (PBP). The results showed that the moisture content of maize was reduced from 22.3% to 13.4 ± 2.6% in 5 h at an average drying rate of 1.81%/h and drying efficiency of 64.7%. Utilization of the column dryer for the provision of drying services in a maize-growing community over a 10-year utilization period proved viable with an NPV and IRR of $1633 and 71%, respectively, PBP of less than two years, and BCR of 2.82. Adoption of such low-capacity mobile grain dryers in sub-Saharan Africa would be beneficial in providing timely drying services and improve the socio-economic status of smallholder maize farmers in the region.

Techno-economic analysis of a biomass-powered inclined bed dryer for maize drying

“…The fluctuation in the grain temperature was attributed to the fluctuation in the temperature of the drying air due to restocking of biomass fuel, and continuous stirring of the grains. Similar results was reported byObeng-Akrofi et al (2021) in the study of maize drying in a column dryer utilizing a biomass heat source.…”

“…The economic assessment was conducted using Ghana's discount rate of 24%, as of January 2022 (Bank of Ghana, 2022). The financial assessment estimated that maintenance costs were 2% of the investment cost (Obeng-Akrofi et al, 2021).…”

Technical Efficiency of Maize Production and Its Influencing Factors in the World’s Largest Groundwater Drop Funnel Area, China

“…Maize is harvested with a high moisture content, and to ensure safe storage the moisture content must be reduced to 12-14% [37]. Most farmers choose to dry their harvested produce for increased maize production value.…”

Recent Innovations in Post-Harvest Preservation and Protection of Agricultural Products

“…Utilization of such low-capacity mobile dryers to provide drying services was found to be economically viable based on net present value analysis resulting in internal rates of return (IRR) above 70%, pay-back periods (PBP) of less than two years, and positive benefit-cost ratios (BCR) greater than 2.5. Affordable access to drying services in maize-growing communities has potential to improve the socio-economic status of smallholder maize farmers in sub-Saharan Africa [5]-Consortium; (6) Analyze the effect of vibration on grape berry drop during vertical transportation and of different packaging materials on grape clusters during robotic placement. Dropping and shattering of grape berries reduces quality during harvest and post-harvest handling.…”