Green Startup: UD-UTE Students Bring Clean Technology to Agriculture

In the context of modern agriculture facing challenges in energy conservation and environmental protection, preserving the quality of agricultural products during drying has always been a difficult problem. Three students from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Technology and Education – The University of Danang, turned their idea into a practical solution with a rotary drum dryer project that uses a heat exchange system combined with biomass fuel, opening a sustainable and practical path for agriculture.

The research team, including Võ Thế Hạc, Trần Thanh Khánh, and Phạm Viết Anh Điện, utilized agricultural by-products such as rice husks, sawdust, and straw as fuel. The hot air generated from the biomass gasification chamber is passed through a heat exchange system before entering the rotary drum dryer. This design helps eliminate smoke, dust, and impurities, ensuring clean airflow while preserving the color, flavor, and nutritional value of the agricultural products.

Close-up of the rotary drum dryer using a heat exchange system combined with biomass fuel

Võ Thế Hạc shared: “We chose a heat exchange system instead of direct firing because smoke and impurities in traditional methods affect product quality. Indirect drying allows heat to transfer through an intermediate component, without direct contact with the agricultural products, making it both clean and fuel-efficient.”

Not only does the system ensure cleanliness, but it is also equipped with smart sensors that precisely control the drying process, preventing over- or under-drying. Moreover, the flexible design allows customization of drying modes for various agricultural products: rice, corn, coffee, pepper, cassava, fruits, and medicinal herbs. This makes it suitable for households, cooperatives, and small to medium-sized processing enterprises.

With its creativity, high practical applicability, and commercialization potential, the project won First Prize at the SV_STARTUP-2025 awards ceremony organized by the University of Technology and Education – The University of Danang on June 27, 2025, recognizing the research capabilities and entrepreneurial spirit of the student team.

The research team won First Prize at the SV_STARTUP-2025 awards ceremony

The journey of turning the project from an idea into reality was full of challenges. Võ Thế Hạc said: “This was an opportunity for us to apply our technical knowledge in practice while learning to continuously adjust and improve. The guidance from our instructor, M.Sc. Đỗ Phú Ngưu, along with the school’s facilities and technical support, helped our team complete the project effectively.”

The biomass rotary drum dryer project not only demonstrates the research and creativity skills of UD-UTE students, but also opens the door to green entrepreneurship, providing a clean technology solution that protects the environment and promotes sustainable agricultural development—a meaningful message for both the community and future generations of students.