Numerical modeling of turbo pneumatic sieving process for Bambara flour production using Computational Fluid Dynamics

The semi mechanized method used in Bambara flour processing in subSahara Africa remain a major bottleneck in the utilization of Bambara nuts. In this study, a numerical model was used to study and predict the flow characteristics in a turbo pneumatic sieving chamber of a novel Bambara flour processing machine. For this purpose a Computational Fluid Dynamics model was employed. As a result, shearing stress, transport, large and eddy simulation turbulence models were tested in order to improve the model. For the simulation of the sieve effect, a porous domain was used. The pressure, velocity of fluid and also the turbulence areas were analyzed. The result of the analyses using Computational Fluid Dynamics shows the fluid flow and particles motion within the sieving chamber with a normal distribution of total pressure, it also revealed that the sieving process is greatly affected by the pressure, air velocity stream and the turbulence kinetic energy inside the sieving chamber. The invaluable insight gleaned from this research on the effect of pressure, air velocity stream and the turbulence kinetic energy in the sieving processes of bambara flour will serve as a corner stone for informing and optimizing future design iterations, ultimately revolutionizing the field and driving innovation.