STIRRER MECHANISM FOR TAPIOCA STARCH SETTLING TANKS 

1.

Function

:

To continuously stir the tapioca milk in the settling tank, replacing the manual stirring.

2.

Specification

:

(a) Overall dimension

:

Depending on the size of the settling tank.

(b) Capacity

Depending on the size of the existing  tank.

(c) Power required

:

1.25 hp electric motor

3.

General Information

:

It consists of agitating paddles driven by 1.25 hp motor and reduction gear box mounted on a rectangular frame with 4 wheels for  to and fro movement on the rails fixed in the  settling tank.  Suitable provisions are made for adjusting the depth of operation of the wooden paddles and this depth arrangement primarily depends on the bed thickness of the starch in the tank. It took 6 hours for the complete settling of starch in the mechanical method as against 8 hours in the manual method.  The percentage of starch in the bottom layer of the starch milk from peeled tapioca was 71% and at the top layer, it was 2%.

4.

Cost of the unit

:

Rs. 25,000

5.

Cost of operation

:

Rs.   80 /h

6.

Salient features

:

• Results in faster settling of starch granules

• The starch  granules are free from dust particles

• The purity of starch was superior than obtained by the manual method.