Finite Element Analysis of a Washing and Preheating Unit Designed for Plantain Flour Process Plant

Abstract

This paper presents the design and finite element analysis (FEA) of a washing, conveying and preheating unit, intended to help complete the drying of plantain within an hour at a maximum temperature of 70°C in a plant that processes unripe plantain into flour. Model was developed for it, its functionality and structural stability were evaluated using SolidWorks computer aided design application software after selection of suitable materials for and design analysis of its components. Its frame analysis showed a maximum stress of 52.52 MPa, resultant displacement of 0.9215 mm, elastic strain of 1.495×10-4 and a minimum factor of safety (FOS) of 4.7, when a force of 1 kN was applied. FEA of each control-gate-spring showed a maximum stress of 29.05 MPa, resultant displacement of 0.6902 mm, elastic strain of 9.547×10-5 and a minimum of 7.6 FOS, when a tensile force of 0.12 kN was applied. FEA of each roller showed a maximum stress of 50.16 MPa, elastic strain of 1.458×10-4 and a minimum of 3.4 FOS, when a torque of 1.023 kNm was applied. These results imply that the design of the unit is safe/adequate for fabrication, and able to satisfactorily serve its intended purpose, since the yield strengths of the materials selected were not exceeded as evidenced by the FOS values obtained. This unit, when fabricated and incorporated into the process plant, would help to drastically reduce plantain processing time in order to be able to meet the increasing demand for plantain flour.