A control system for a poundo yam flour processing plant

Abstract

The use of control systems reduces the need for human involvement in food processing plants, reduces stress in the production process, and makes production more efficient and cleaner. A control system was designed for a poundo yam processing plant using the estimated time required by each machine in the plant and the sequence of operation. A flow chart was developed to analyse and study the timing and motion of individual machines and to control the operation of the machines. The C++ programming language was used to programme the programmable logic controller. A circuit was developed to control the electric motors, electric heaters and fans in the processing plant. Evaluation of the developed control system shows that it reduces the time spent per batch production from 7 hours to 5 hours 19 minutes (24.05% time reduction) and increases the efficiency of the plant from 73.4% to 84.90%. Human involvement was reduced by 75% (from 8 steps to just 2).